Townsville City Council employs an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Development Officer who represents and informs council on issues relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Development Program works with relevant community groups and organisations and participates in meetings internal and external to council relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues.
Council's contribution to indigenous cultural events, such as NAIDOC Week, Mabo Day, Sorry Day, Coming of the Light Festival are organised through this program, and the officer maintains a commitment to carrying out the process of reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and the wider community, as well as within council.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are valued members of the Townsville community and as such their contribution is highly regarded by council. Council encourages the participation and inclusion of all persons in the community regardless of ethnicity in council initiatives and events.
Reconciliation Action Plan
As a commitment to reconciliation with Australia's traditional owners, the development of a framework such as the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) will enable Indigenous issues to be addressed and encourage positive relationships to be developed between local government and Indigenous communities.
Under the Council Of Australian Governments "Closing the Gap" Agreement, many Australian councils are working towards the achievement of this goal through their commitment and support for the promotion of reconciliation, participation in important Indigenous events and the development of Indigenous policies and ‘Statements of Commitment’.
A RAP provides a framework for the future, detailing steps and priorities to achieve Indigenous equality. There are three main pillars within the RAP process:
- Relationships
- Respect
- Opportunities
These will be incorporated within the framework of Townsville City Council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Action Plan. The RAP will become the overarching plan for the identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander actions from various council departments to deliver.
Developing and implementing a RAP will provide a useful framework for Indigenous programs to operate within as it will give a format for exploring how reconciliation can advance organisational objectives, and formalise contributions to reconciliation by encouraging the identification of clear actions and realistic targets.
On 5 July 2011, at the NAIDOC luncheon, the CEO of Townsville City Council, Mr Ray Burton signed a ‘Statement of Commitment’ to develop a RAP by December 2012.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council
The Indigenous Elders Advisory Committee was established in 1997. This committee was replaced in 2004 with the establishment of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Council. The purpose of this committee is to raise issues of concern and to promote the well being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Publications
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Protocol compliments other policies used by Townsville City Council, specifically when engaging or working along side Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander peoples in the areas of arts and culture.
The document outlines processes and considerations for council staff when working with arts workers from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Please contact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Development Officer on 1300 878 001 for more information.
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategic Plan 2011 - 2014 acknowledges and respects the traditional owners of the Townsville region and is a reflection of identified issues specific to the local Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Programs
The Inclusion Support Agency aims to build the capacity of eligible child care services to include children from the following groups who require additional support to access these child care services.
Events
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National Reconciliation Week (27/05/12 – 03/06/12)
National Reconciliation Week is celebrated across Australia annually to commemorate two milestones in the reconciliation journey: the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and the 1992 High Court landmark Mabo decision. Reconciliation Week is the time to focus on how Australians can better recognise each other, and recognise the contributions, cultures and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
National Reconciliation Week 2012 celebrations run from 27 May to 3 June 2012 with the theme Let’s talk recognition. Townsville City Council will host a breakfast on 28 May with well known guest speakers Dr Jeff McMullen AM and Dr Gracelyn Smallwood OAM.
If you would like further details on the breakfast please go to the TicketShop.
NAIDOC Week is one week per year in which the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities celebrate and promote the history, culture and achievements of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples along with processes of reconciliation to the wider community.
At various times, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sports Carnivals are held to give Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth an opportunity to participate in interactive mixed team sports. The Sports Carnivals encourage young people to seek out and continue to play sport in mainstream competitions and promote fit and healthy lifestyles.
Indigenous elders group which works towards preventing social isolation of senior citizens by meeting on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month, in an informal atmosphere.
For more information on services and programs, contact council's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Development Officer.