Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 - Whitehorse City ...
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Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018
Acknowledgement of Country In the spirit of reconciliation, Whitehorse City Council acknowledges the Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land we now know as Whitehorse. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and value their ongoing contribution to the cultural heritage of Whitehorse.
Contents
Executive Summary .................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction................................................................................................................................ 2
About Whitehorse .................................................................................................................. 2
About the Plan ........................................................................................................................ 2
Development Process............................................................................................................. 4
Outcomes from previous Reconciliation Action Plan ............................................................ 4
Defining Reconciliation .......................................................................................................... 6
Policy Context ............................................................................................................................. 6
National .................................................................................................................................. 6
State ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Local........................................................................................................................................ 7
Community Engagement ............................................................................................................ 8
Strategic Priorities ...................................................................................................................... 9
Relationships .......................................................................................................................... 9
Aboriginal community profile ............................................................................................ 9
Aboriginal community engagement................................................................................... 9
Respect ................................................................................................................................. 10
Cultural Protocols ............................................................................................................. 10
Aboriginal Culture and Heritage....................................................................................... 10
Activities and Events ........................................................................................................ 10
Internal Participation and Aboriginal Awareness ............................................................ 11
Opportunities ....................................................................................................................... 11
Services and Programs ..................................................................................................... 11
Aboriginal Employment, Training and Educational Opportunities .................................. 11
Tracking Progress and Reporting ......................................................................................... 11
Definitions and Terms .............................................................................................................. 13
References ................................................................................................................................ 14Executive Summary
Whitehorse City Council respectfully acknowledges the Traditional custodians of the land
which we now call Whitehorse, the Wurundjeri people and their elders past and present.
The Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 will guide Council’s approach to
supporting, promoting and celebrating Indigenous Australians and reconciliation.
The Plan builds on the outcomes of the previous Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan
2011-2015 and continues Council’s long commitment to supporting Reconciliation and
Closing the Gap.
The Plan is guided by the Council Vision, Council Plan and the Whitehorse Municipal Health
and Wellbeing Plan and the environments for Health Framework which details how the
natural, economic, built and social realms have an impact on the health and wellbeing of the
community. In addition, this Plan links closely with:
• Various Council plans, strategies and policies, including the Council Vision, the
Council Plan and the Whitehorse Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan. The MAV’s
Reconciliation framework
• Reconciliation Australia and Reconciliation Victoria’s priority areas.
• The Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework (VAAF) 2013-2018
• “Closing the Gap” Councils of Australian Governments (COAG)
The Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 development process included an
analysis of demographic data, background research and a review of Federal and State policy
documents.
To complement the research, a diverse array of community engagement opportunities was
implemented to hear about local needs and directions. This included consultation sessions
with Councillors and Council officers, community groups, community members, Aboriginal
lead organisations, discussions at Council events and an online survey.
Council and the community, in partnership with all key stakeholders have a strong role to
play in the journey to reconciliation and as a result of the consultation process; the following
three priorities were identified:
• Relationships
• Respect
• Opportunities
1Introduction
About Whitehorse
The City of Whitehorse is located 15 kilometres East of Melbourne and covers an area of 64
square kilometres. The City of Whitehorse includes the suburbs of Blackburn, Blackburn
North, Blackburn South, Box Hill, Box Hill North, Box Hill South, Burwood, Burwood East,
Forest Hill, Mitcham, Mont Albert, Mont Albert North, Nunawading, Surrey Hills, Vermont
and Vermont South. Whitehorse City Council provides hundreds of services to residents,
ratepayers, businesses, visitors and the community.
The Wurundjeri-Balluk Tribe is the traditional custodians of the land on which the City of
Whitehorse is located. They have been the traditional custodians for 40,000 years. The
traditional language to the tribe is Woi Wurrung and the tribe is now known as the
Wurundjeri, being one of five tribes that make up the Kulin nation. The Wurundjeri are a
deeply spiritual people and honour the creator spirit, Bunjil the Eaglehawk. Historically, the
tribe would camp along the banks of the many creeks that flow through the City and named
parts of the local area Namenarren or Nunawading.
Whitehorse has an estimated residential population of 163,697 (Australian Bureau of
Statistics ERP 2014). In the 2011 census, 314 people or approximately 0.2% identified as
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people living in Whitehorse. This is less than the average
for Victoria (0.7%) and Australia (2.5%). However, it is important to note that Indigenous
status is often underreported and therefore this number may be higher.
In addition, Whitehorse is a culturally diverse community with approximately 33% of
Whitehorse residents born overseas and 27% from countries where English is not the first
language (2011 Census), bringing a rich tapestry of cultures, faiths and spirituality to the City.
About the Plan
The Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 (Plan) is the fourth iteration of the
Plan and takes Council’s commitment to reconciliation to over 20 years. The Whitehorse
Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 will guide Council’s commitment and direction, in
partnership with other key stakeholders, in working towards reconciliation and Closing the
Gap for Indigenous Australians.
The Plan is guided by the Council Vision, Council Plan, the Whitehorse Municipal Health and
Wellbeing Plan and the Environments for Health Framework. In addition, the Plan also links
with other Council plans, policies and strategies, as well as plans and policies that exist in
local non-government organisations and the relevant state government departments.
The Plan will assist Council to deliver its vision to ‘be a healthy, vibrant, prosperous and
sustainable community supported by strong leadership and community partnerships.’
(Council Vision 2013-2023).
In support of the Plan and a key influence in the Plan’s success is the appointment of the
Whitehorse Reconciliation Advisory Committee 2016-2018. The Council endorsed
2Committee is made up of Aboriginal people, community representatives, community group
representatives, a Councillor and Council officers. The members of the committee bring a
wealth of knowledge, experience and passion for reconciliation, working toward Closing the
Gap both locally and beyond. Annual implementation plans will be developed by the
Whitehorse Reconciliation Advisory Committee.
Whilst initiatives will be led by the Whitehorse Reconciliation Advisory Committee, they will
do so in partnership with relevant Council departments, community members, other levels
of Government and key stakeholders.
The Plan is guided by the Council Vision, Council Plan and the Whitehorse Municipal Health
and Wellbeing Plan and the environments for Health Framework which details how the
natural, economic, built and social realms have an impact on the health and wellbeing of the
community. In addition, this Plan links closely with various Council plans, strategies and
policies and links to the MAV’s Reconciliation framework as well as Reconciliation Australia
and Reconciliation Victoria’s priority areas.
The plan highlights three strategic areas for collaborative work, partnership development
and change: Respect, Relationships and Opportunities.
Diagram 1: The relationship between the Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018
and other Council plans and strategies:
Council Vision
2013-2023
Council Plan
4 year strategic plan
Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan Municipal Strategic Statement
Specific Strategic Plans that sit across Council eg Children, Young People, Recreation,
Disability, Diversity, Community Participation and so on.
The Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 aligns with the Council Plan
and Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan, as well as many aspects of additional
Council policies, strategies and action plans eg diversity, disability, community
participation, healthy ageing and so on.
The Plan was developed utilising a social model of health framework, which details
how the natural, economic, built and social realms have an impact on the health and
wellbeing of the community.
Social Built Natural Economic
3Development Process
The Plan was developed in consultation with Indigenous Australians, Councillors, the
Whitehorse community, local organisations, peak bodies and Council officers. To support the
development process further, other research included:
Demographic profile: Development of a demographic profile of the municipality, identifying
Indigenous population and community trends.
Policy Context: Review of key policy, research and legislative documents relating to
reconciliation.
Community Engagement: Community and Council consultation sessions, Aboriginal and
Aboriginal Lead Community Organisation workshops, an on line survey and discussions at
the Whitehorse Spring Festival.
Development of the Plan: Identification of key priorities, themes and actions was
undertaken in collaboration with key stakeholders.
The development process is shown below in Diagram 2
Review demographic data
Review research, legislation and policy
Community and organisation consultation
Development of the Plan
Outcomes from previous Reconciliation Action Plan
Council is proud to share a snapshot of outcomes from the previous Whitehorse
Reconciliation Action Plan 2011-2015. Many of the projects and initiatives were
implemented through partnerships with the Whitehorse Reconciliation Advisory Committee,
Wurundjeri Tribe Land Compensation and Cultural Heritage Council, Whitehorse Friends for
Reconciliation, Reconciliation Victoria, Connecting Home, MEGT (Melbourne East Group
Training) and a range of Council Departments such as: Community Development,
Organisational Development, Governance, ParksWide, Arts & Recreation and
Communications:
• Acknowledgement of Country is stated at major Council events and Council Meetings
• Development of the 2014 Nobody’s Child – Waiting to Go Home DVD
• MEGT partnership continues, supporting Council’s Aboriginal apprentice
• Sorry Day Flag Raising Events
4• Reconciliation Week Exhibition Booked – Footprints: The Journey of Lucy and Percy
Pepper - 27 May – 8 June 2014. A travelling exhibition courtesy of the Public Record
Office Victoria.
• Reconciliation Week Exhibition 28 May - 9 June 2013 – Box Hill Community Arts Centre
(BHCAC) ran a school holiday program with students creating a wall hanging under the
guidance of Uncle Rex Murray. This hanging is currently on display in the BHCAC Arbour
room.
• 2015 - Council's Commitment to Reconciliation Banner, displayed at Box Hill Town Hall
and key Council events / festivals
• A performance by Kutcha Edwards Trio - assisted with a $500 grant from Reconciliation
Victoria.
• 2013 - Two out of four unnamed laneways were allocated Aboriginal names and when
possible explores utilising Aboriginal names
• 2012 Installation on the totem pole created by an indigenous local, commenced at Spring
Festival – now situated in Council’s Nangnak garden
• 2013 – Disability and Aboriginal Cultural competence workshops – Council’s
MetroAccess Officer partnered with Regional Councils and EACH
• 2014 Council, in partnership with The Wurundjeri Tribe Land Compensation and Cultural
Heritage Council designed an Indigenous component to the Illuminate festival, including
sound and imagery.
• There are many more examples of Council’s commitment to reconciliation over the past
20 years. Those highlighted above provide snap shot examples of some of these.
5Demographics
Whitehorse has an estimated residential population of 163,697 (Australian Bureau of
Statistics ERP 2014). In the 2011 census, 314 people or approximately 0.2% identified as
Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people living in Whitehorse. This is less than the average
for Victoria (0.7%) and Australia (2.5%). However, it is important to note that Indigenous
status is often underreported and therefore this number may be higher.
Defining Reconciliation
Reconciliation in Whitehorse is about unity and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders and non-Indigenous Australians. It is about understanding and respecting
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and valuing justice and equity for all
Australians. Whitehorse City Council believes that through actively participating in
reconciliation activity, Council and the broadly diverse Whitehorse community (which
includes our culturally diverse, gender diverse and faith diverse communities) can also
assists in the healing of the past.
In 1997, Whitehorse City Council along with three other local governments areas; Banyule,
Nillumbik and Manningham signed a Statement of Commitment to highlight what
reconciliation meant to Councils and community. Whitehorse has continued its commitment
to reconciliation through partnerships, events, initiatives and strong leadership.
Policy Context
National
The National Indigenous Reform Agreement (Closing the Gap) (2011), is an
intergovernmental agreement which not only focuses on Closing the Gap in Indigenous
disadvantage, but highlights the commitment by each level of government in Closing the
Gap. The agreement highlights the objectives, outcomes, outputs, performance indicators
and performance benchmarks agreed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). The
main areas of focus supported by five funded National Specific Purpose Payments include:
health, schools, skills and workforce development, housing and disabilities.
The six Closing the Gap targets are:
• To close the gap in life expectancy within a generation;
• To halve the gap in mortality rates for Indigenous children under five within a decade;
• To ensure all Indigenous four-year olds in remote communities have access to early
childhood education within five years;
• To halve the gap in reading, writing and numeracy achievements for Indigenous children
within a decade;
• To halve the gap for Indigenous students in year 12 equivalent attainment by 2020; and
• To halve the gap in employment outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous
Australians within a decade.
6State
The Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework (VAAF) 2013-2018 brings together Government
and Aboriginal community commitments and efforts to create a better future for Victoria's
Aboriginal population. The VAAF was released on 22 November 2012.
Significantly the VAAF recognises and values Aboriginal culture, integrates Government
effort, and identifies the accountabilities of Government departments, agencies and funded
service providers. This will enable more effective monitoring and evaluation of performance.
An opportunity also exists to work with the State in regard to employment opportunities
particularly within business communities. Local businesses are the major employers within
local communities.
Local
The Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 is guided by the Council Vision, Council
Plan and the Whitehorse Municipal Health and Wellbeing Plan. In addition, further linkages
are made with other Council Plans, policies and strategies.
The Plan will assist Council to deliver its vision to ‘be a healthy, vibrant, prosperous and
sustainable community supported by strong leadership and community partnerships.’
(Council Vision 2013-2023).
The Council Vision 2013-2023 highlights a set of priorities for Council and community. These
priorities have been illustrated through five Strategic Directions:
1. Support a healthy, vibrant, inclusive and diverse community
2. Maintaining and enhancing our built environment to ensure a liveable and sustainable
city
3. Protecting and enhancing our open spare and natural environments
4. Strategic leadership and open and accessible government
5. Support a healthy local economy
The Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018 links closely with a number of Council
Plan strategies that sit under Strategic Direction 1:
Strategic Direction 1: Support a healthy, vibrant, inclusive and diverse community.
Strategy 1.1.3. Promote services, programs and facilities to meet the needs of community.
Strategy 1.1.6. Promote programs and services that foster social connections within the
community.
Strategy 1.1.7. Promote programs that foster wellness and the prevention of disease.
Strategy 1.1.9. Further strengthen partnerships to implement policies, plans and projects
that deliver positive outcomes for the community.
7Community Engagement
A key element in the development of the Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018
was the community engagement process. In September, 2015, Council engaged Aboriginal
consultant, Karen Milward who has a close working relationship with the Aboriginal
community in the Eastern Melbourne Region to work with Council to develop its next
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
This included consultation workshops held in November 2015, with the Whitehorse
Reconciliation Working Group, Council officers , Wurundjeri Tribe and Land Compensation
Cultural Heritage Council, Aboriginal community members, Aboriginal organisations and
services, the Whitehorse Reconciliation Advisory Committee and the Whitehorse
community.
Whitehorse City Council would like to thank and acknowledge the contribution of the many
residents, organisations, and community stakeholders who contributed to the development
of the Whitehorse Reconciliation Action Plan 2016-2018.
Council re-affirms its ongoing commitment to further improving and building on actions
already completed under its previous Reconciliation Action Plans which have strengthened
relationships between Aboriginal residents, staff of Aboriginal services and other local
residents, students, businesses and staff of mainstream and government services.
Past actions have sought to improve health, employment and social outcomes for Aboriginal
residents as well as creating a more robust and vibrant cultural space where many can come
together to celebrate significant events such as Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week,
each year.
Council recognises and will continue to support community engagement opportunities with
Aboriginal and other residents to ensure that positive and lasting relationships continue to
be a built on in the years ahead as part of this and future Reconciliation Action Plans.
Collectively, we will support and promote celebratory events to highlight the valuable
contribution that our local Aboriginal residents make to our region’s social and cultural
fabric and space.
8Strategic Priorities
A key underlying focus for Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan is to identify, develop and review the approaches it takes to promote Council services
to local Aboriginal residents and community members.
1. Relationships
Strong relationships are part of our foundation for living in a respectful community where everyone’s cultural background adds to the diversity and
harmony of our society. Council will continue to build on and add value to the good relationships existing between our Aboriginal community
members, community organisations, services and networks and the Whitehorse community to strengthen and improve overall community wellbeing.
Aboriginal community profile
• Define the Whitehorse Aboriginal community profile- define it with the currents statistics and update it after the release of the Census data in
2017
• Identify ways to strengthen relationships with key stakeholders to implement RAP initiatives
Aboriginal community engagement
• Improve the understanding about strengthening relationships with Aboriginal people to improve community engagement
• Encourage greater participation by Aboriginal people in Council processes
• Explore communication mechanisms to more effectively strengthen relationships with Aboriginal people
• Council to support (within available resources) relevant programs and initiatives
• Aboriginal Elders/people to be invited to Whitehorse Interfaith Network (WIN) to share Indigenous culture and vice versa.
• Groups like WIN to be invited to be part of Reconciliation & NAIDOC week activities.
92. Respect
Council reaffirms and acknowledges the strong connection and relationship Aboriginal people have with their traditional lands. Council will continue
to work closely with and respect the views and opinions expressed by local Aboriginal people and groups about local Aboriginal cultural practices and
protocols in order to raise awareness about and to protect past and current cultural heritage and other traditional cultural values.
Cultural Protocols
• The Aboriginal community have requested that the Welcome to Country acknowledgement, which is read at all Council meetings, public
events and at Citizenship ceremonies etc. be read as follows: “In the spirit of Reconciliation, Whitehorse City Council acknowledge the
Wurundjeri people as the traditional custodians of the land we are meeting on. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present”.
• Explore the opportunity of providing an Aboriginal information pack (including the RAP) to new citizens at Council Citizenship ceremonies and
other relevant places.
• Commence discussions about a range of opportunities at the Whitehorse Art Space/ Box Hill Community Arts Centre, including promoting
local Aboriginal traditional and contemporary stories and exhibitions.
Aboriginal Culture and Heritage
• Council to look at the current Naming policy to ensure its continuing appropriateness e.g. prioritises names that are relevant to local
Aboriginal heritage.
• Explore the opportunity to develop an Aboriginal history of Whitehorse booklet to reaffirm the past history and current history to all
residents and business.
• Explore the opportunity to research/record the story of the traditional Aboriginal connection to the land area before European Settlement
• Council to explore the possibility of having signage within the municipality that recognises the Wurundjeri people and their connections.
Activities and Events
• Promote Council Festivals and Events in the Aboriginal community.
• Continue to support Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week Activities.
• Continue to run Council activities in the Nangnak Garden and actively promote this to the Whitehorse community e.g. flag raising ceremony.
• Continue with the development of the Bunjil Puppet Project and connecting to local Schools in Whitehorse.
• Host more screenings of Nobody’s Child for Council staff and the Whitehorse community.
• Promote “Nobody’s Child” as being available to borrow at local libraries.
10• Explore opportunities for Aboriginal art in public spaces and places.
Internal Participation and Aboriginal Awareness
• Work with Council staff to assist Aboriginal issues and RAP initiatives being included in all relevant Council departments.
• Work with key stakeholders to deliver a locally based Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Program for Council staff and potentially others.
• RAP actions and outcomes are tied into the Council Plan and strategies.
3. Opportunities
Council recognises that it has a role to play regarding the social, political, environmental, economic wellbeing of local Aboriginal residents and
visitors. Council will work in partnership with other key stakeholders to continue to address social determinants of health for local Aboriginal people.
Services and Programs
• Promote Council services and programs to the Aboriginal community to improve access and encourage more inclusiveness.
• Encourage Aboriginal families to participate in Whitehorse Playgroups.
• Aboriginal community to link with the libraries to explore introducing Aboriginal story books and story-telling sessions.
• Aboriginal community to link with Whitehorse Primary Schools in regard to Living books sessions.
• Explore access and inclusion barriers to Council services, programs and activities and identify solutions to encourage greater Aboriginal access
and participation.
Aboriginal Employment, Training and Educational Opportunities
• Council to explore and promote with relevant organisations, opportunities for Aboriginal people, in regard to employment, apprenticeships,
traineeships and volunteer opportunities.
• Promote Employment opportunities in Whitehorse News, Koori Mail, Local Indigenous Networks, MMIGP Website and Social media.
Tracking Progress and Reporting
Yearly implementation plans will be developed over the next two years to progress priorities that have been identified in this Plan.
The implementation plans will be developed taking into account Council resources which include funding and staffing and other key stakeholder
resources. Additional funding will be sought when there is opportunity to do so.
11The Plan will be overseen by the Whitehorse Reconciliation Advisory Committee and an annual report will be presented to Council’s Executive
Management team and the Councillors, in regard to the outcomes of the Plan. In addition, outcome information will be forwarded to the relevant
State Government Departments and Ministers to highlight the outcomes of the Reconciliation Action Plan.
12Definitions and Terms
Aboriginal The term Aboriginal is used in this document when referring to Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people, cultural heritage issues, Aboriginal Community
Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) and specific reports and documentation
issued by the Whitehorse City Council.
Indigenous When used in this document, the term Indigenous refers to references used in
published reports and other relevant documents. It is not used to describe
Aboriginal people.
Flag Adopted: 14 July 1995 (in use since 12 July 1971)
The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas, an artist and an
Aboriginal, in 1971. The flag was designed to be an eye-catching rallying
symbol for the Aboriginal people and a symbol of their race and identity. The
black represents the Aboriginal people, the red the earth and their spiritual
relationship to the land, and the yellow the sun (the giver of life).
Flag Adopted: 14 July 1995 (in use since 29 May 1992)
The Torres Strait Islander flag is attributed to the late Bernard Namok of
Thursday Island. The flag as a whole symbolises the unity of all Torres Strait
Islanders. The white Dari (head dress) is a symbol of Torres Strait Islanders,
the white five pointed star symbolises the five major Island groups and the
navigational importance of stars to these seafaring people, the green stripes
represent the land, the black stripes represent the people and the blue stripe
the sea.
13References
Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011), 2013 Census QuickStats
http://www.censusdata.abs.gov.au/census_services/getproduct/census/2011/quickstat/LGA
26980?opendocument&navpos=95#dwellingcharacteristics
Council of Australian Governments’, National Indigenous Reform Agreement
https://www.coag.gov.au/closing_the_gap_in_indigenous_disadvantage
Council of Australian Governments, National Indigenous Reform Agreement, fact sheet
http://www.coag.gov.au/sites/default/files/20081129_national_indigenous_reform_factshe
et.pdf
Department of Premier and Cabinet, Victorian Aboriginal affairs framework
http://www.dpc.vic.gov.au/index.php/aboriginal-affairs/aboriginal-affairs-policy/victorian-
aboriginal-affairs-framework
Whitehorse City Council, Council Plan 2015-2019
http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/Council-Plan-2015-2019.html
Whitehorse City Council, Council Vision 2013-2023
http://www.whitehorse.vic.gov.au/Council-Vision-2013-2023.html
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