Moreland City Council
Reconciliation Action Plan 2015 – 2016
Our vision for reconciliation
Moreland City Council’s vision for reconciliation is where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are recognised as the Traditional Custodians of
the land, whose dispossession is addressed through respectful partnerships between and non Indigenous people. Council acknowledges the survival
and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures and recognise their pivotal place in building strong communities across
Moreland.
Our business
Moreland City Council exists to care for and meet the changing needs of our community in a sustainable way. We deliver important services to a great
community, through people who enjoy their work and are proud to work for Moreland.
Council has a workforce of over 1000 full-time, part-time and casual employees. Since 2007 council has been running an Indigenous Traineeship
program which employed 10 trainees. In 2014 Council employed 3 Indigenous staff.
Organisational Values
Value
Customers and Community First
Respect
Personal Accountability
Integrity
One Team
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Statement
We acknowledge our main purpose is to work with our Community and customers
I will support and value others
I take pride in my work and am responsible for doing it well
I will do what I say
We will work within and across the organisation to achieve community outcomes
Our RAP
Moreland City Council was one of the first Victorian municipalities to launch its Reconciliation Policy and Actions Plan in 1998. In this plan Council
builds on its longstanding commitment to reconciliation. The RAP publicly formalises an organisation’s contribution to reconciliation by identifying clear
actions with realistic targets and was developed in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations and leaders. The
RAP encourages activities that can make a difference in three areas:
•
good relationships;
•
respect for the special contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australia; and
•
working together to ensure Aboriginal residents have the same life opportunities as other Moreland residents.
The RAP is championed by the Community Development and Social Policy Unit in consultation with the Moreland Reconciliation Advisory Committee.
The Committee is chaired by a Councillor responsible for Social Diversity, Multiculturalism and Reconciliation (Chair) and includes representatives of
local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander residents and local non Indigenous residents
with an interest in reconciliation.
Our Story
1991 - Raising of the Aboriginal flag for the first time by any local government at Brunswick Town Hall
1998 - Moreland City Council acknowledges past wrongs, says sorry and supports signing of Community Sorry Books
1998 - First Moreland Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan 1998 – 2001 is adopted
2000 - Australian Declaration Toward Reconciliation and the four National Strategies for the Road Map for Reconciliation at Corroboree 2000
2001 - Second Moreland Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan 2001 – 2004 was adopted
2006 - Moreland Post Contact Aboriginal Heritage Study - a first of its kind in Victoria is published
2008 - Third Moreland Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan 2008 – 2012 was launched
2010 - The City of Moreland Pre-Contact Aboriginal Heritage Study is published
2013 - Established Moreland Reconciliation Advisory Committee which includes local Indigenous residents and local Aboriginal controlled
organisations and developed the first Reconciliation Australia endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan 2012 - 2013
2014 - Launched the 2014 Reconciliation Action Plan that committed to establish baseline data and collection processes for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander employees and service users.
Indigenous staff case study
Melanie Hood-Murphy, started at Moreland as the Indigenous Trainee in Records Management in 2011. Melanie successfully completed the
traineeship in 2012 with Certificate III in Business Administration and has since then been working as casual staff in Records Management. Melanie
has also worked for fixed periods in Social Policy and Community Development and Capital Works administration and was also an active member of
the Moreland Reconciliation Advisory Committee. In late 2014 Melanie was offered an ongoing position in Records Management. Melanie is the first
Indigenous trainee who progressed into an ongoing role at Moreland City Council paving the path for other Indigenous trainees and community.
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Moreland City Council’s Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians
Moreland City Council originally endorsed the Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians in May 1998. The subsequent Moreland
Reconciliation Plans included references and gave support to the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation 2000 and the National Apology to the
Stolen Generations by the Australian Parliament 13 February 2008.
Moreland City Council makes the following Statement of Commitment to Indigenous People.
Council recognises
 That Aboriginal Australians are the first people of this land.

That the Wurundjeri are the traditional owners of country now called Moreland.

That Aboriginal land and people are central to Australian identity.

That social and cultural dispossession has caused the current disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

That Aboriginal people have survived loss of their land, their children, their health and their lives.

The ingenuity, spirit, resilience and continuing contribution of Aboriginal people.
Council supports
 The right of Aboriginal people to live according to their own values and customs, subject to law.

The vision as expressed by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation of a united Australia which respects this land of our values the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Island heritage and provides justice and equality for all.

Campaigns for Aboriginal people's rights, especially to land and native title to land.

A national Treaty that enshrines the rights of Aboriginal Australians.
Council commits itself to
 Build trusting, collaborative and supportive partnerships with Aboriginal organisations, communities and individuals.

Respect of identified Aboriginal sacred sites and special places.
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
Education of itself and others on the strength and unique contribution of contemporary Aboriginal cultures, and of the facts of colonisation.

Contribute towards the promotion of accurate information on Aboriginal history and current issues.

Equity and access for all members of Aboriginal communities to culturally sensitive services.
Relationships
Building strong relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community is important to Moreland City
Council. Council builds civic leadership by ensuring that that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has access to information,
opportunities to participate in decision making and access to decision makers.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
1. Reconciliation Advisory
Manager, Community
June 2016  The committee to meet at least 6 times a year.
Committee
Development and
 Membership is maintained according to the Terms of Reference
The Committee continues to
Social Policy
actively monitor the RAP,
 The Reconciliation Advisory Committee oversees the
including its development,
development, endorsement and launch of the RAP.
implementation and monitoring
progress.
2. Celebrate National
Reconciliation Week
Provide opportunities for
Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander employees and other
employees to build relationships
with the local community.
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Manager, Arts and
Culture
Manager, Community
Development and
Social Policy Unit
May 2015
and 2016

Council will organise a series of activities for the National
Reconciliation Week

All staff will be invited to participate in at least one event during
National Reconciliation Week
Relationships
Building strong relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community is important to Moreland City
Council. Council builds civic leadership by ensuring that that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community has access to information,
opportunities to participate in decision making and access to decision makers.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
3. Consult with the Traditional
Manager, Arts and
June 2016  Council will renew and sign a Memorandum of Understanding
Owners
Culture
with the Wurundjeri Council ensuring it is inclusive of all
Develop strong working
Wurundjeri Elders.
Manager, Community
relationship with the Wurundjeri
 Council staff will consult with the Wurundjeri Council and
Development and
Traditional Owners
developed service agreement for the delivery of cultural
Social Policy Unit
recognition ceremonies that covers arts, community
development, governance and other units’ needs.
Manager, Governance
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Respect
Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture, land, history is important to Moreland City Council. Council works for and with the
Moreland community to ensure that Council staff and the broader community is educated and its places and spaces thrive with a range of arts and
cultural experiences.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline Target
4. Cultural awareness training
Manager, Community
June
 Benchmark data to be established on the number of staff that
and development for staff
Development and Social
2016
received training and explore options to ensure that all Council
Engage employees in cultural
Policy Unit
staff have received appropriate Indigenous cultural awareness
learning to increase
training within two years.
Manager, Maternal & Child
understanding and
appreciation of Indigenous
Health Service
 Maternal and Child Health Nurses and Immunisation Staff to have
culture in order to lay the
undertaken special Indigenous Cultural Awareness Training.
foundation for other RAP
Manager, Aged, Disability
actions to be achieved.
and Emergency Relief
 Human Resources to coordinate at least two cultural
awareness/diversity training opportunities to meet the needs of
the organisation.
Manager, Citizen Services
Manager, Human Resources,
OHS & Risk

Planning coordinators to ensure new planning officers receive
appropriate induction and training regarding the Aboriginal
Heritage Act 2006 and any legislative changes are communicated
to all planning and planning administration officers.

Open Space to invite staff to attend information sessions
delivered by Aboriginal cultural heritage advisors

Conduct an Acknowledgement of Country at all community
events.
Invite a Wurundjeri Traditional Owner to give a Welcome to
Country address at significant community events.
Ensure relevant staff is aware of the Wurundjeri Welcome to
Country protocol.
Group Manager, City
Development
Manager, Open Space/Street
Cleansing
5. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultural protocols
Use of established protocols
for the Acknowledgement of
Country and Welcome to
Country.
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Manager, Governance
Manager, Arts and Culture
Manager, Community
Development and Social
Policy Unit
June
2016


Respect
Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture, land, history is important to Moreland City Council. Council works for and with the
Moreland community to ensure that Council staff and the broader community is educated and its places and spaces thrive with a range of arts and
cultural experiences.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline Target
6. Celebrate NAIDOC Week
Manager, Arts and Culture
July
 Conduct the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag raising
2015
ceremony and invite staff to participate in events in the local
Support Aboriginal and Torres
Manager, Community
community.
Strait Islander employees to
Development and Social
July
engage with their culture and
Policy Unit
2016
 Support the Victorian NAIDOC Committee and invite members of
community through NAIDOC
the Reconciliation Advisory Committee to attend NAIDOC Week
Week events.
events.
7. Community education
Distribute and promote
resources highlighting the
contribution of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait islander culture
and people.
Manager, Maternal & Child
Health Service
Manager, Community
Development and Social
Policy Unit
June
2016

Review HR policies and procedures to ensure there are no
barriers to staff participating in NAIDOC Week.

Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
employees to participate in local NAIDOC Week events.

Maternal and Child Health to distribute at least 25 Book Start Kits
to include an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander title for
distribution to new Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
parents.

Counihan Gallery to develop and promote two art exhibitions that
celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and art in
connection to either NAIDOC or Reconciliation weeks which will
be accompanied with a public program at the Gallery.
Organise a public program designed to open up discussion about
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and art and involve
the community including schools.
Children Services to support the inclusion of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander families into early year’s education and care
and promote the value of educating all children and adults on
Manager, Maternal & Child
Health Service
Manager, Children's Services

Manager, Library Services

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Respect
Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture, land, history is important to Moreland City Council. Council works for and with the
Moreland community to ensure that Council staff and the broader community is educated and its places and spaces thrive with a range of arts and
cultural experiences.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline Target
Indigenous culture by providing professional development and
resources to kindergartens and child care.

Manager, Open Space/Street
Cleansing

Manager, Community
Development and Social
Policy Unit
8. Ensure ongoing
management and protection
of cultural heritage sites.
Collaborate with Traditional
Land Owner groups and
implementation of traditional
land management practices.
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Manager, Open Space/Street
Cleansing
June
2016

Group Manager, City
Development

Open space to develop and launch interpretive signage designed
to restore and improve understanding of the cultural connections
to Country by Wurundjeri people.
Distribute a range of materials to promote the understanding,
acknowledgement and affirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultures, histories and events including the Anniversary
of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations.
As a means of recognising the Aboriginal/Koori heritage of
Moreland, Council to encourage the use of traditional
Aboriginal/Koori names - subject to the involvement and
agreement of the relevant Aboriginal communities.
Maintain procedures and systems to ensure that Cultural Heritage
Management Plan evidence of significant ground disturbance is
requested for all planning permit applications that are high impact
activities and planning permits are conditioned appropriately.
Opportunities
Moreland City Council works to provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities have access
to employment opportunities, feel connected to others and have access to the necessary services.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
9. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Manager, Human
June 2016  Human Resources to appoint at least two Aboriginal and/or
Islander employment
Resources, OHS &
Torres Strait Islander trainees;
Risk
Increase the recruitment and
 Established baseline data and collection processes for Aboriginal
retention of Aboriginal and Torres Manager, Library
and Torres Strait Islander employees is obtained and maintained
Strait Islander employees within
Services
by Human Resources.
your organisation.
Manager, Aged,
 Existing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff to have access
Disability and
to development via the Corporate Training program and through
Emergency Relief
annual Performance Development Plans.
Manager, Arts and
Culture
Manager, Community
Development and
Social Policy Unit
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
Library and Aged and Disability vacancies to be advertised
through Koorie Mail, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)
Aboriginal Employment project and other established Aboriginal
community networks.

Aged and Disability Unit to participate in the Inclusive
Employment working group and investigates establishing
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traineeship positions.

Counihan Gallery to provide opportunity for Aboriginal artists to
undertake work experience in connection to the annual
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander exhibition.
Opportunities
Moreland City Council works to provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities have access
to employment opportunities, feel connected to others and have access to the necessary services.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
10. Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Manager, Community June 2016  Assist at least two Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Islander supplier diversity
Development and
businesses to be registered on Council tender register.
Increase opportunities for
Social Policy
 Engage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses at least
businesses owned by Aboriginal
Manager, Governance
and Torres Strait Islander people
twice a year during Reconciliation and NAIDOC week
to supply their goods and services
celebrations
Manager, Arts and
to Council.
Culture
 Governance to work towards ensuring that corporate gifts are
either locally sourced, are of Indigenous significance,
demonstrate Moreland’s cultural diversity or symbolise its
architecture.
Manager, Open
Space/Street
Cleansing
Manager,
Procurement
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
Counihan Gallery to organise information session for artists and
encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists to
apply.

Open space to continue to look for opportunities to involve
Wurundjeri in natural resource management projects.

Review procurement policies barriers to Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander businesses are able to be addressed.

Investigate becoming a member of Supply Nation

Educate staff/community about using Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander businesses.
Opportunities
Moreland City Council works to provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, organisations and communities have access
to employment opportunities, feel connected to others and have access to the necessary services.
Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Target
11. Equitable and accessible
Manager, Maternal &
June 2016  Maternal and Child Health to collect and reported on
services for Aboriginal and
Child Health Service
immunisation rates and maternal and child health visits and
Torres Strait Islander people
continued to expand opportunities to support parents and carers
Manager, Recreation
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children to access
Collect data on participation and
Services and
Maternal and Child Health and Immunisation Services.
service use levels and expand
Coordinator, Aquatics
opportunities to offer access to
and Leisure Services
 Recreation and Aquatics and Leisure Services to continue to
aged, health and recreation
ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have
Manager, Aged,
services.
access to recreation and leisure services as measured by service
Disability and
participation data.
Emergency Relief
Manager, Youth
Services
Manager, Library
Services
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
Aged and Disability Services to ensure that elderly Aboriginal
and Torres Strait islander residents have access to HACC
services and Aboriginality is identified as a priority for access.

Youth Services to develop a targeted outreach activities for
young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to encourage
the use of the Oxygen youth centre.

Youth Services to develop ongoing support for young Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander artists.
Tracking progress and reporting
Action
12. Report achievements, challenges
and learning to Reconciliation
Australia for inclusion in the
Annual Impact Measurement
Report.
Responsibility
Manager,
Community
Development and
Social Policy Unit
Timeline
Target
September  Complete and submit the RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire
2015
to Reconciliation Australia annually.
13. Provide progress report to Council
Manager,
Community
Development and
Social Policy Unit
July 2015

Progress report provided for Council meeting in July 2015.
July 2016

Progress report and revised annual plan provided by July 2016.
Report achievements and
challenges
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Moreland Council Policy Context
Moreland Council Plan 2013–2017
Council will deliver services that support and promote the diversity of Moreland community including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Moreland Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013 – 2017
Council will target Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders in its work to reduce health inequalities.
Moreland Early Years Strategy 2011-2015
Council is committed to enhancing the health and wellbeing of Indigenous children.
Moreland Open Space Strategy 2012-2022
Under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 “Council is responsible authority under the Victoria Planning Provisions to check if a Cultural Heritage
Management Plan is required prior to determination of applications for planning permits, amendments to planning permits and other statutory
authorisations“
Family Violence Prevention Strategy and Action Plan 2011-2015
Council committed to ‘engage diverse audiences in preventative actions, including people with a disability, multi-cultural communities, Aboriginal
communities, young people and seniors.’
Arts and Culture Strategy 2011-2016
Council will value, acknowledge and advocate for artists and the contribution of the arts to Moreland.
Naming Moreland Places Policy 2013 - 2023
As a means of recognising the Aboriginal/Koori heritage of Moreland, Council will encourage the use of traditional Aboriginal/Koori names - subject to
the involvement and agreement of the relevant Aboriginal communities.
Evaluation and monitoring
Council will monitor and evaluate the Reconciliation Action Plan on an annual basis to measure short and longer-term outcomes and impacts. This
includes consulting and reporting back to the key stakeholders and the Aboriginal community through the Moreland Reconciliation Advisory
Committee. Further monitoring will be supported through Council annual reporting cycles across annual reports required back to Council and the
general public.
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Contact details
Phone: (03) 9240 1111
Email: info@moreland.vic.gov.au
Postal address: Locked Bag 10, Moreland 3058 VIC Australia
TTY: phone 133 677 then ask for 03 9240 1111
Speak and listen: phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 03 9240 1111
Internet relay users: connect to the National Relay Service then ask for 9240 1111.
Moreland City Council ABN: 46 202 010 737
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