Council launches Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Published on 03 July 2023
NAIDOC Week celebrations
Monash Council is proud to launch its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which will guide important work to empower First Nations voices within our community.
The RAP was launched on Monday 3 July 2023 with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Thane Garvey from the Wurundjeri Land Council, as well as performances by Wurundjeri women's dance group, Djirri Djirri at Council’s Civic Centre, also marking the beginning of NAIDOC Week celebrations.
Djirri Djirri are the only Wurundjeri female dance group and are Traditional Custodians of Narrm (Melbourne) and surrounds.
Monash Council’s RAP outlines work towards realising a vision for reconciliation by increasing equity, representation, and quality of life for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and individuals in Monash.
Actions and deliverables of the RAP have been informed by extensive consultation with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members as well as Aboriginal organisations, Aboriginal peak bodies, the Monash Reconciliation Group, Councillors, Council officers, and our community.
Development has been guided by Reconciliation Australia’s RAP framework and the Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy 2021-2026.
Stunning artwork by Indigenous artist, and proud descendant of the Karajarri people, Marcus Lee, will accompany the RAP.
The artwork depicts Bunjil the Protector flying high over the City of Monash, keeping a watchful eye on its reconciliation commitments, and will be rolled out across various Council assets.
Monash Mayor, Cr Tina Samardzija, affirmed Council’s commitment to supporting the reconciliation process.
“This is our commitment to supporting the reconciliation process and it articulates how we will play our part in advancing reconciliation and contributing to greater unity within the Monash community.
“This action plan builds on our work to develop strategies that are innovative and aspirational that will help advance reconciliation and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Cr Samardzija.