Reconciliation Action Plan 2012-2015
The City of Whittlesea was assisted in the preparation of our Reconciliation Action Plan by
Social Compass Pty Ltd.
This project has been made possible through support from:
Our Reconciliation Action Plan
It is with great pleasure that I present Council’s first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2012-15.
Since 2001 the City of Whittlesea has recognised the rich Aboriginal heritage of the
municipality and acknowledged the Wurundjeri Willum Clan of the Kulin nations as the
traditional custodians of the land. Such recognition was the formal beginning of our
reconciliation journey and within this RAP we have highlighted some key reconciliation
milestones we have achieved since 2001.
Two of the major milestones have been:
•
The establishment in 2001 of the Whittlesea Reconciliation Group, a community based
committee that facilitates the ongoing reconciliation process.
•
Assisting the Aboriginal community to establish the Bubup Wilam for Early Learning
Centre in Main Road, Thomastown. Bubup Wilam provides Aboriginal specific
programs that support families and children within the community. It is the first
Aboriginal community controlled organisation within the City.
While we are proud of these achievements we know we still have much more to achieve. The
City of Whittlesea RAP 2012-15 aims to set the direction for the reconciliation vision we want
to achieve – a Council with increasing capacity and ability to partner with our Aboriginal
communities to achieve the best possible opportunities and outcomes.
Our RAP has been developed over a 12 month period and has involved significant internal and
external consultations. This gives us confidence that as an organisation we can set ourselves
some new benchmarks for participation and engagement with the Aboriginal community. We
are also confident that Aboriginal communities will see their aspirations for us as a Council
articulated within the RAP.
Our RAP works on a strength-based approach in that we recognise and value the history,
culture, knowledge and talents of Aboriginal people living in the City. Our RAP is our
commitment to acknowledging and utilising the strengths and assets of the community to
enhance what Council does and the way we do it.
This RAP establishes actions that acknowledge and value Aboriginal people and provide
Aboriginal people in the City of Whittlesea with enhanced and new opportunities. It will
ensure we hold ourselves accountable and are held accountable by the community to the
things we say we are going to do.
The development of our RAP has been informed by every part of our business and every part
of our business holds responsibilities for implementation. We share these responsibilities with
every part of the community as we all work together to enhance the three pillars of the RAP –
Relationships, Respect and Opportunities.
We are excited to present our RAP which demonstrates and formalises our strong
commitment to reconciliation and we look forward to reporting our progress over the coming
years.
Cr Rex Griffin
Mayor
Statement of Commitment
In 2001 the City of Whittlesea adopted the following Statement of Commitment to
Reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:
On behalf of the City of Whittlesea we recognise the rich Indigenous heritage of this country
and acknowledge the Wurundjeri Willum Clan as the traditional custodians of this place.
The adoption of our Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation formally began a journey for
Council that has continued for us. Our Reconciliation Action Plan contains the actions that
support this statement and our commitments for the future.
In acknowledging the Wurundjeri Willum Clan as the Traditional Owners of the land within
which the City of Whittlesea is located, we recognise them as the first peoples in Australia and
having a relationship with this land that reaches back tens of thousands of years – Wurundjeri
people say since the beginning of time. So while this Reconciliation Action Plan looks to the
future of a growing municipality, it acknowledges that the City of Whittlesea is an old place
with an old and existing culture that can be celebrated and shared by everyone.
Page 2 of 18
Our vision for Reconciliation
Our overall vision for reconciliation is the vision established by the Whittlesea Reconciliation
Group (WRG) - a community based committee established by the City of Whittlesea in 2001 to
be a key reference group for Council on the continuing reconciliation process. The WRG vision
for reconciliation is “a connected community respecting Aboriginal people as the first peoples
of Australia, their history and culture through actions supporting reconciliation”.
The vision of our Reconciliation Action Plan is that “the City of Whittlesea will be a Council
with increasing capacity and ability to partner with Aboriginal communities to achieve the best
possible opportunities and outcomes”.
Our vision
Our vision is based on five key principles that were developed in consultation with the
Aboriginal community and across our organisation:
RESPECT:
We will be respectful of the Aboriginal communities,
acknowledging and embracing their history, culture, heritage
and the talents Aboriginal people bring to our community and
our business.
SELF – DETERMINATION:
We understand the right of Aboriginal communities to
determine their future and we will play our part.
EQUITY:
We want to ensure the Aboriginal community participate and
achieve to an equal level as all residents within the City of
Whittlesea.
JUSTICE:
We acknowledge the wrongs of the past as a means to ensuring
a better future for the Aboriginal community.
PARTNERSHIPS:
We will partner with Aboriginal communities in ways that are
meaningful and deliver mutually beneficial outcomes.
Note: The City of Whittlesea Reconciliation Action Plan uses the word Aboriginal throughout
when referring to its people and community. This is aligned with National Aboriginal
Community Controlled Health Organisation’s (NACCHO) November 2012 resolution whereby
the term Aboriginal would be used in all correspondence and speeches and NACCHO would
cease using the word Indigenous except in an international context (Resolution: RES 2009 –
10). In 2009 the Whittlesea Aboriginal community advised Council at a Mayoral Forum that
they are Aboriginal people and would like the City of Whittlesea to use the term thereafter in
reference to them.
Page 3 of 18
Our Business
The City of Whittlesea is an interface municipality located 20km north of Melbourne’s CBD.
Covering 490 square kilometres it is a large municipality containing established urban and
rapidly developing new (growth) and rural areas. The City includes the major rural centre of
Whittlesea, the rural localities of Beveridge, Donnybrook, Eden Park, Humevale, Kinglake
West, Wollert, Woodstock and Yan Yean and the established or developing suburbs of
Bundoora, Doreen, Epping, Lalor, Mernda, South Morang and Thomastown.
The resident population is just over 163,500 people and is amongst the fastest growing
municipalities in Australia growing by almost 9,000 people per year and with an expected
population of almost 300,000 residents by 2030.
The City of Whittlesea is a diverse community with migrants from more than 140 countries.
The original inhabitants of the area and the Traditional Owners of the land are the Wurundjeri
Willum people. The Aboriginal community is one of the fastest growing communities within
the City of Whittlesea, with an increase in residents of 24 per cent between 2001 and 2006,
and 33 per cent between 2006 and 2011.
The City currently has the fourth highest Aboriginal population in Metropolitan Melbourne
with 1,125 people, and is the second highest in terms of the percentage of Aboriginal people
compared to the total number of residents with 0.73 per cent of the total population being
Aboriginal1. The City of Whittlesea currently employs approximately 1,000 staff (this includes
casuals) and five of these staff are Aboriginal. The Aboriginal Employment Pathways Strategy
has set a target of 15 Aboriginal staff by 2017.
As with all councils we have responsibilities under the Local Government Act. Our
responsibility covers some key areas such as:
•
providing services and support to other community services
•
protecting the cleanliness and safety of our community
•
preventing pollution, noise and disease
•
planning for the future of the community and what services will be needed
•
representing our area to other governments, to tourists and overseas visitors.
Our responsibilities are driven by our vision - creating vibrant self-sustaining communities
together – and our Reconciliation Action Plan is aligned to the Whittlesea 2025 - Strategic
Community Plan ‘Shaping Our Future’, which contains six future directions:
1
•
Inclusive and engaged community
•
Accessibility in, out and around the City
Based on 2011 Census data, ABS
Page 4 of 18
•
Growing the economy
•
Places and spaces to connect people
•
Health and wellbeing
•
Living sustainably
Our Reconciliation Action Plan will enhance the opportunities Aboriginal communities have to
fully participate in each of these future directions and achieve the same levels of opportunity
and outcomes as all residents within the City.
‘Wominjeka Wurundjeri Bik’
‘Welcome to Wurundjeri land’ – woi wurrung language of the Wurundjeri People
Our story so far
2000 11 July - Council adopts the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation
The City of Whittlesea develops a draft Reconciliation Plan
2001 Council adopts Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation
November - Council establishes the Whittlesea Reconciliation Group (WRG)
The City of Whittlesea supports the Nioka Bush Day to support Aboriginal youth
engagement in the municipality.
2002 September - Council adopts the Indigenous Reconciliation Policy outlining key areas of
work.
The annual Cultural Heritage Program features Aboriginal cultural heritage. Over the
years programming has included a Scarred Tree Trail, an Aboriginal Sites of Significance
tour, Gum Leaf Music workshops and Wominjika! Conversations with Wurundjeri
People cultural awareness event.
Council establishes that ‘Welcome to Country’ and ‘Acknowledgement to Country’ are
included as important parts of key events.
Mosaics are designed in consultation with the Wurundjeri Land Council by artists Cathy
Adams and Luke Gardiner from Urban Art Colours (an Aboriginal artworkers group) for
the Riverside Community Activity Centre to acknowledge the original inhabitants of
the land, the Wurundjeri.
2005 The City of Whittlesea establishes the Koori Christmas BBQ.
Page 5 of 18
2006 Support was provided to the Northern Suburbs Aboriginal Association (NSAA) who had
received a small funding grant to undertake a community planning activity, specific to
the needs of Aboriginal people and communities.
2007 The Reconciliation Dinner is established as a key event within the City’s annual
calendar.
The City of Whittlesea establishes National Sorry Day activities.
The City of Whittlesea undertakes an Aboriginal Employment Feasibility study.
Home and Community Care (HACC) Aboriginal Liaison Officer is established as a
permanent part-time position.
Aboriginal Liaison Officer position is established as a part-time fixed term position.
Council, in partnership with Department of Planning and Community Development,
facilitates a meeting between the department Secretary and the Aboriginal
Community to consult and understand community priorities.
2008 Council facilitates a meeting between the Aboriginal community and the then Deputy
Premier and the DPCD Secretary, where the community presented six key priorities.
2009 Aboriginal Project Officer for Bubup Wilam is established as a fixed term position.
Commencement of discussions for the establishment of the Bubup Wilam for Early
Learning Centre.
Council commences support for a three-year Building Active Indigenous Communities
project.
Council is awarded the Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity (LEAD) Project to
trial a new approach to reducing race-based discrimination against Aboriginal people
and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.
Koori Choir is formed and continues as a culture-based program for Aboriginal youth
and young people in the City of Whittlesea.
2010 Aboriginal artist Karen Casey is commissioned to develop five major works for the
Thomastown Recreation and Aquatic Centre (TRAC).
Youth Services Officer (Aboriginal portfolio) is established as a full-time permanent
position.
February - Council supports, with a range of other partners, the WAYUP Youth Camp.
October - The first Aboriginal community controlled organisation in Whittlesea was
incorporated – Bubup Wiliam for Early Learning Centre Inc.
Page 6 of 18
2011 April - Acknowledgement Statement translated into eight languages as part of the
Language Aides Program.
May - The WRG develop the Annual Reconciliation Awards Program to recognise local
contributions to Reconciliation.
September- A local Aboriginal Elders group – Elders Making a Difference – is
established in Epping.
Aboriginal Liaison Officer position becomes a full-time permanent position.
2012 June - The Bubup Wilam for Early Learning Centre is officially opened.
July - First Aboriginal Planned Activity Group (PAG) in the City of Whittlesea receives
funding to provide activities for Aboriginal Elders.
September - The first Aboriginal Employment Pathways Strategy is adopted by Council.
September - The first City of Whittlesea Reconciliation Action Plan is adopted by
Council.
‘Different people have their own story’ PJ Farrant - Koori Choir
Introduction
The following actions under the three pillars of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities have
been developed through a significant consultation process with internal and external
stakeholders and discussions with Traditional Owners. An Aboriginal Advisory Group
(external) was established to support and guide the development of the RAP. Membership
comprised of six people drawn from peak bodies in the area and included representation from
the Local Indigenous Network (LIN), the WRG, the board of Bubup Wilam and the Elders
Making a Difference network. This group advised on the best way to engage with the local
Aboriginal community and provided feedback on learnings and actions suggested for inclusion
in the RAP.
A general community meeting was held in May 2012, which was open for all community
members to attend and one on one meetings were held with individual Aboriginal community
members.
The themes and findings from these consultations have informed the following actions.
1. Relationships
We will partner with Aboriginal communities in ways that are meaningful.
We will develop strong, sustainable and respectful relationships to build the best possible
outcomes and opportunities with them.
Page 7 of 18
Focus Areas
•
Increasing the City of Whittlesea’s capacity to better engage with the Aboriginal
community
•
Increasing the City of Whittlesea’s ability to better respond to the needs of the
Aboriginal community
•
Increasing the opportunity for the Aboriginal community to engage with Council.
Actions
1.1 City of Whittlesea Aboriginal
Community Charter
• Develop with the Aboriginal
community a Charter that sets
out the rights that Aboriginal
people living in the City can
expect to have recognised by
Council. The Charter will confirm
the rights-based approach we
have taken to developing the
RAP.
1.2 Local Aboriginal organisations and
groups
• Strengthen local Aboriginal
groups and organisations through
building connections and
networks.
• Increasing local knowledge
throughout the community about
Aboriginal groups and
organisations.
Lead
Target
Measurable
Department Completion Outcomes
Date
CCD
1.1.1: 2013 1.1.1: Development
of a Project Plan.
1.2.1: CCD
and
Marketing
1.2.2: CCD
and
Marketing
1.2.3:
Community
Services
1.2.4:
Leisure and
Community
Inclusion
1.1.2: 2013
1.1.2: Consultation
meetings commence.
1.1.3: 2015
1.1.3: Charter
adopted by Council,
WRG and the
Aboriginal
community.
1.2.1: Information
about local groups,
organisations and
networks made,
available on Council’s
website.
1.2.2: Development
of resource
information kit
available to
residents.
1.2.3: Identify
strategies to ensure
Aboriginal specific
services are available
to the community.
1.2.4: Ensure the
Community Grants
Program is accessible
to Aboriginal
organisations.
1.3.1: Adopt City of
(Three year
project)
Outcomes
1.2.1. and
1.2.2
Ongoing
Outcome
1.2.3: 2013
Outcome
1.2.4: 2014
1.3. Aboriginal community
CCD
1.3.1: 2013
Page 8 of 18
Actions
Lead
Target
Measurable
Department Completion Outcomes
Date
Consultation
Whittlesea Aboriginal
• Develop the means to have open
Community
and meaningful conversations
Engagement
with the Aboriginal community –
Protocols that guide
in ways that support Aboriginal
all consultation
ways of doing business.
processes with the
• Develop a formal approach to
Aboriginal
consultation and engagement
community.
including how consultation should
1.3.2: 2013 1.3.2: Ensure staff are
take place, who or what
aware of the
organisation(s) should be
protocols and
consulted and on what occasions.
guidelines.
• Continue to work with the
1.3.3:
1.3.3: Annual
community and key organisations
Annually
meeting with Council
to determine the best means for
and community to
engaging with the community on
review and refine
Council matters.
engagement
• Ensure protocols are consistent
processes.
with the adopted Community
1.3.4:
1.3.4: Annual
Engagement Framework,
Annually
reporting back to the
commitments made in the City of
Aboriginal
Whittlesea’s Community Plan and
community and
best practice research undertaken
organisations.
as part of development of this
Plan.
1.4. Conversation with the Mayor and
CCD
Annually
1.4: Annual meeting
CEO
with minutes and
• The City of Whittlesea Mayor and
reports recorded.
Chief Executive Officer will
together commit to meeting with
the Aboriginal community.
• This will be a conversation where
the Mayor and CEO can discuss
with the community current
concerns and communicate with
the community current and
future Council initiatives.
• Councillors will be offered the
opportunity to attend and
Officers attendance as required.
1.5. Whittlesea Reconciliation Group
CCD
Annually
1.5.1: Eight meetings
(WRG)
per annum.
Page 9 of 18
Actions
• Council will continue to support
the WRG as a communitybased
committee with Council
representation.
• Establish within the Whittlesea
Reconciliation Group the
mandate for the group to be
accountable for measuring the
outcomes of the RAP against the
stated actions within the RAP.
1.6. Gathering Place
• Explore with the community the
feasibility of establishing a
Gathering Place as a place of
healing and home for the Elders.
• The study will consider the type
of facility and services required
and the feasibility of establishing
such a place in the City of
Whittlesea.
1.7. Our whole community
• Provide opportunities for nonAboriginal residents to have
increased understanding and
knowledge of Aboriginal history
and culture.
• Provide opportunities for intercultural exchange.
Lead
Target
Measurable
Department Completion Outcomes
Date
1.5.2: Two Council
delegates to sit on
WRG.
1.5.3: Annual report
against the actions
and outcomes to
WRG.
CCD
1.6.1: 2014
1.6.2: 2015
CCD
1.7.1: 2014
1.7.2: 2013
1.7.3: 2013
1.6.1: Scope the
terms of the
feasibility study.
1.6.2: Complete the
feasibility study.
1.7.1: Oral histories
and cultural
information available
on Council website.
1.7.2: Welcome to
Country and
Aboriginal
Acknowledgement
protocols available to
whole community on
Council website.
1.7.3: Develop
Cultural Bridges
Business Case to
explore possibility of
developing a facility
to promote
intercultural
exchange.
‘It’s important to bring Indigenous people in the area together.’ Ian Goolagong – Whittlesea
Reconciliation Group
Page 10 of 18
2. Respect
We will acknowledge Aboriginal people as the first people of Australia and acknowledge the
history, culture and heritage of Aboriginal communities. We will value and promote their
talents to build the best possible outcomes and opportunities with them.
Focus Areas
• Ensuring the history of the region is documented and promoted in ways that
acknowledge the Wurundjeri Willum people, their culture and their place
• Ensuring acknowledgement of Wurundjeri Willum people and other Aboriginal people
living in the City is more than a policy but is an embedded practice
• Ensuring decisions affecting Aboriginal people are inclusive of Aboriginal people.
Actions
Lead
Department
2.1. Statement of Commitment and
Indigenous Reconciliation Policy
• Council Statement of
Commitment and Indigenous
Policy are current.
• Council staff are aware of
Council’s Policy and
commitment to
reconciliation.City of
Whittlesea Aboriginal
Community Charter
CCD
Target
Completion
Date
2013
2.2. Oral history and local Aboriginal
culture
• Work with local Traditional
Owners, the Elders Making a
Difference Network and the
Wurundjeri Land Council and
local Aboriginal community
members to document local
histories.
• Explore with local Traditional
Owners and other
organisations opportunities to
preserve, promote and teach
local Aboriginal language(s).
CCD
2.2.1: 2014
2.2.2: 2014
2.2.3: 2015
2.2.4: 2015
Measurable
Outcomes
2.1.1: Review
Indigenous Policy.
2.1.2: Review
Statement of
Commitment.
2.1.3: Promote
Statement of
Commitment and
the Indigenous
Reconciliation Policy
on Council’s intranet,
staff newsletter and
staff networks.
2.2.1: Collect local
(Wurundjeri) stories.
2.2.2: A strategy
developed in
consultation with
Traditional Owners
and Elders Making a
Difference.
2.2.3: Develop
materials for
presentation for
telling the stories.
2.2.4: Distribute
information via
Page 11 of 18
Actions
Lead
Department
• Develop stories celebrating
people, place and country that
will inform both Council staff,
Aboriginal people moving into
the area and the wider
community.
• Develop a communication
strategy to ensure residents of
the City of Whittlesea have
access and awareness of local
Aboriginal cultural heritage and
histories.
2.3. Welcome to Country/
CCD
Acknowledgement of Traditional
Owners
• We will partner with
Traditional Owners to develop
internal policy and cultural
protocol guidelines. These will
be user friendly and inform
Council and all staff on
acknowledging Traditional
Owners and/or organising a
Welcome to Country and
outlining the difference
between the two practices.
• An abridged version of the
guidelines/protocols will be
included in the Staff Induction
Pack.
• The guidelines/protocols will
outline the occasions and
actions needed for ensuring
Welcome to Country and
Acknowledgement of
Traditional Owners are
embedded practices within
Council business.
• Protocols will be attached to
the Indigenous Reconciliation
Policy and provided to all staff.
• Provision of business card
Target
Completion
Date
Measurable
Outcomes
Council website and
local networks.
2.3.1: 2013
2.3.2: 2014
2.3.3:
Ongoing
2.3.4: 2013
2.3.1: Protocols
developed and
approved.
2.3.2: Information
provided through
WIRED and Council’s
website.
2.3.3: Increased staff
awareness and
confidence to
acknowledge
Traditional Owners
in meetings (as per
protocols).
2.3.4: Business card
prompts distributed
to work teams.
Page 12 of 18
Actions
prompts with
Acknowledgement of
Traditional Owners wording to
all staff.
• We will move towards such
practices being more than a
policy or obligation – they will
be embedded within the
culture of our business.
2.4. Cultural Celebrations
• Continue to partner with the
local Aboriginal community to
acknowledge and celebrate
days and events of cultural
significance.
• Promote events and
celebrations as per the
Whittlesea Reconciliation
Group program.
• List significant Aboriginal dates
in the City of Whittlesea
Community Calendar.
Lead
Department
Target
Completion
Date
Measurable
Outcomes
CCD
2.4.1:
Annually
2.4.1: WRG deliver
the National Sorry
Day Event each year
and the
Reconciliation Dinner
and Reconciliation
Awards as
part of
Reconciliation Week.
2.4.2: Work with
schools to provide
information on how
they can
acknowledge and
celebrate NAIDOC
Week.
2.4.3: Events will be
promoted on
Council’s website.
2.4.4: Community
calendar is printed
and distributed
annually.
2.5.1:
Acknowledgement
plaques are installed.
2.5.2: Study is
developed and
provided to Council
for consideration.
2.5.3: A process for
allocating Aboriginal
place and street
2.4.2:
Ongoing
2.4.3:
Annually
2.5. Acknowledgement and
recognition
• We will establish a number of
initiatives that will increase the
recognition and
acknowledgement Council
gives to Traditional Owners and
local Aboriginal people and
communities.
• We will have
2.5.1: CCD
2.5.1: 2014
2.5.2 : CCD
and Marketing
2.5.3: CCD and 2.5.2: 2014
Civic
Administration
2.5.3: 2015
Page 13 of 18
Actions
acknowledgement of
Traditional Owner plaques at
the Civic Centre and the Depot.
• We will explore incorporating
acknowledgment statements of
Traditional Owners into
standard signage across the
municipality, including
municipal boundary signage
and community buildings.
• Explore appropriate Aboriginal
names for both existing and
new places within the City of
Whittlesea.
2.6. Cultural awareness and
competency
• Deliver Aboriginal Cross
Cultural Training to City of
Whittlesea staff and
Councillors.
• Training to be delivered by a
reputable and experienced
training provider and tailored
to the local area including local
Aboriginal people telling their
story.
• As a priority, face-to-face
training is to be delivered to
Directors, Managers and Team
Leaders and those who work
directly with Aboriginal people
within Council and in the
community.
• Options for online training to
be explored, to enable the
majority of staff to be reached.
(The City of Whittlesea ‘Aboriginal
Employment Pathways Strategy’
carries the substantive detail for this
action).
2.7. Cultural Heritage
• Development of a City of
Lead
Department
Target
Completion
Date
Measurable
Outcomes
names is developed.
Human
Resources and
CCD
October
2.6.1: Annually
2012
report the number of
(commence) staff that have
completed cultural
awareness training.
Projected 40 staff
receiving training per
annum and all
Councillors in the
first year.
2.6.2: 12 month
review of training
program (content,
delivery and
outcomes).
CCD and
Strategic
2.7: 2015
2:7 Aboriginal
Cultural Heritage
Page 14 of 18
Actions
Whittlesea Aboriginal Cultural
Heritage Strategy.
Lead
Department
Target
Completion
Date
Planning
Measurable
Outcomes
Study complete
3. Opportunities
We understand the right of Aboriginal communities to determine their future. We will play
our part in order to build the best possible outcomes and opportunities with them.
Focus Areas
• Increasing access for Aboriginal people to the opportunities and outcomes available to
all residents within the City of Whittlesea
• Increased employment and economic opportunities for Aboriginal people both within
the City of Whittlesea and more broadly
• Enhancing the opportunities for the Aboriginal community to engage with decisionmaking processes across Council.
Actions
Lead
Department
3.1. Aboriginal Employment Pathways Human
Strategy and Action Plan (AEPS)
Resources
(The AEPS has now been developed
and these actions have been included
with additional background provided
in the Strategy and Action Plan)
• Increase the proportion of
Aboriginal people employed at
Council to 1.5% by October
2017, with 70% of these
positions being permanent and
with a retention rate above
80%.
• Based on current numbers of
City of Whittlesea staff as at
July 2012, this target equates
to 15 staff members.
• Engage Department of
Education, Employment and
Workplace Relations (DEEWR)
Indigenous Employment
Program (IEP) panel member to
Target
Completion
Date
3.1.1:
Ongoing
Measurable
Outcomes
3.1.1: Report
progress against the
target to WRG twice
per annum.
3.1.2:
3.1.2: Report
Ongoing
progress to target to
WRG twice per
annum.
3.1.3:
3.1.3: Panel member
October
engaged to work
2012
with Council.
3.1.4:
3.1.4: Aboriginal
August 2013 Employment Officer
appointed.
3.1.5:
3.1.5: Review
Commence commenced August
2013
2013.
3.1.6: July
3.1.6: One Aboriginal
2012 –
scholarship to be
January
provided and/or one
2013
Aboriginal nurse
practitioner
Page 15 of 18
Actions
•
•
•
•
•
•
provide external support.
Work closely with IEP panel
member to build our skills and
expertise in Aboriginal
employment, with the contract
being phased out following the
recruitment of an Aboriginal
Employment Officer (position
dependent on funding).
Recruit an Aboriginal
Employment Officer, within
Council’s Human Resources
Unit, to oversee the
implementation of the
Aboriginal Employment
Pathways Strategy.
Review and enhance
recruitment and selection
processes so they are culturally
appropriate and flexible, in
order to increase the quality
and number of Aboriginal
people applying for and being
successful in securing positions.
Develop Aboriginal Maternal
and Child Health university
scholarship program.
Partner with NMIT (Koorie
Services Centre and Certificate
III in Home and Community
Care and Aged Care) to support
2-3 Aboriginal students
completing the dual certificate
to complete work placements
and secure employment at
Council after course
completion.
Develop and implement a pilot
program to employ Aboriginal
people into entry level labour
hire (full-time, casual) positions
in Council’s Infrastructure
Lead
Department
Target
Completion
Date
3.1.7:
February
2013 –
February
2014
3.1.8:
October
2012 –
ongoing
3.1.9:
Ongoing
3.1.10:
Commence
September
2012
Measurable
Outcomes
recruited within
Maternal and Child
Health Department.
3.1.7: 2-3 people
completing work
experience and
gaining employment.
3.1.8: 2-3 new
Aboriginal staff
members recruited
within 12 months of
the completion of
the Aboriginal Cross
Cultural Training
program in the
Infrastructure
Department.
3.1.9: Number of
Aboriginal staff in
mentoring program.
3.1.10: Number of
opportunities
provided through
the social
procurement clause.
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Actions
Department.
• Develop mentoring/buddy
program for new and existing
Aboriginal employees, with
staff providing mentoring to
receive formal training. Explore
partnering with an external
organisation that can provide
mentoring pro bono. Explore
strengthening the current
Aboriginal Officers Network
group to support new recruits
(e.g. being a buddy in the first
two weeks of a new recruit
starting and inviting them to
join the network).
• Progress the identification and
implementation of Aboriginal
employment opportunities
(such as traineeships, casual
employment, etc) through the
new social procurement clause
in Council’s contracts and
tenders.
3.2. Increasing opportunities for
Aboriginal youth
Lead
Department
Target
Completion
Date
Measurable
Outcomes
Family and
Youth
3.2.1:
Ongoing
3.2.1: Council
continues to support
Aboriginal Youth
Worker.
3.2.2: Family and
Youth Services
report on outcomes
to WRG.
3.2.2:
Annually
‘We need to be in a place where we can live, work, play, prosper and belong.’ Paul Stewart –
RAP Aboriginal Advisory Group
Page 17 of 18
Tracking and Progress Reporting
Actions
Lead
Department
Target
Completion
Date
Twice per
year
Measurable
Outcomes
4.1. The Whittlesea Reconciliation
Group will monitor the progress of the
actions of the RAP.
4.2. The City of Whittlesea will report
progress of the RAP annually to
Reconciliation Australia.
CCD
CCD
Annually
CCD
Ongoing
4.2: City of
Whittlesea RAP
Progress Report will
measure outcomes
from stated actions
and provide status
reports of
developments.
4.3: Community
feedback
incorporated into
City of Whittlesea
RAP Progress Report.
4.3. Ongoing consultation and
feedback gathered from the
community.
4.1: Status report
provided to WRG.
‘A connected community respecting Aboriginal people as the first peoples of Australia, their
history and culture through actions supporting reconciliation.’ Vision - Whittlesea
Reconciliation Group
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