Council makes progress towards reconciliation

Published on 02 February 2024

Murrindindi Shire Council continues to make progress towards reconciliation, with several key initiatives being achieved during the first six months of implementing its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

With a focus on improving cultural awareness and fostering cultural safety, Council has completed a review of our workplace policies to ensure the organisation maintains a high standard of cultural safety for our employees and broader community.

We have developed guidelines for engaging and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations. These guidelines support Council in consulting and involving First Nations Peoples in decision making for key projects, leading to better outcomes for our communities.

Council has also supported cultural training opportunities for Councillors and staff to better connect with Country and First Nations Peoples, and strives to strengthen our relationships with local Traditional Owner groups, including the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

Council employees recently participated in a wawa biik cultural tour in Nagambie. The wawa biik tours are delivered through the cultural experiences area of TLaWC and focus on connecting to Taungurung people and culture through ‘On Country’ experiences. Councillors and staff were moved by the inspiring personal stories the guides shared with them whilst having the opportunity to experience culturally significant sites, including Scar Trees and a boat tour of the Tahbilk Wetlands.

Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) are strategic documents that empower organisations to progress their reconciliation journeys. Reconciliation Australia has designed RAPs with three underpinning pillars; relationships, respect, and opportunity to help pave the way to reconciliation in Australia. Council will continue to implement the RAP over the next six months, as well as working with community to advance reconciliation in Murrindindi Shire.

Click here to learn more about Council’s RAP. To find out more about the wawa biik tours, head to wawabiik.com.au 

Murrindindi Shire Council’s Mayor Damien Gallagher said “Strengthening meaningful relationships with Traditional Owner groups and local Aboriginal communities is a key focus in Council’s commitment to reconciliation. Thanks to the champions of Council's Reconciliation Action Plan for supporting the pursuit for understanding and connection with our rich local heritage. I am immensely grateful to have enjoyed an immersive wawa biik experience and Council is dedicated to progressing reconciliation through actions and initiatives from our Reflect RAP. We support Councillors and staff to expand their cultural learning and experiences on the reconciliation journey and collectively, we look forward to deepening our cultural understanding.”