City of Port Phillip

Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians

The Australian Local Government National General Assembly of 1996 resolved to encourage local governments to adopt a statement of commitment to Indigenous Australians.

The City of Port Phillip has implemented this resolution as a measure of its commitment to Reconciliation and respect for its Indigenous community. The following statement was endorsed by the City of Port Phillip on 27 August 1997.

"The Council of the City of Port Phillip acknowledges that Indigenous Australians were the first people of this land and have survived European settlement for more than two centuries.

The City of Port Phillip values its diverse and multicultural community and encourages tolerance and respect for all.

The arrival of Europeans brought massive change to the land and to its Indigenous people.

For its part, Port Phillip City Council acknowledges and grieves for the loss by the Indigenous people of their land, their children, their health and their lives.

We acknowledge the right of Indigenous Australians to live according to their own values and customs, subject to law, and we commit ourselves to respecting Aboriginal sacred sites and significant places.

The Council recognises the valuable contribution to the Port Phillip region made by Indigenous people and looks forward to a future of mutual respect and harmony.

The Council supports the Indigenous and non-Indigenous people of Australia working together for the development of a formal instrument of reconciliation.

 

Record of Major Initiatives: 1994 - 2000

• Commissioning of the Special Needs Report - Koorie Community, Julie Peers, September 1994. Council endorsement of the report recommendations, leading to:
  • Establishment of the joint ATSIC & City of Port Phillip Koorie Working Party
  • Employment of a full-time Indigenous Policy Officer jointly funded for two years by City of Port Phillip and DEETYA.
  • The redevelopment of Cleve Gardens project, led by the Koorie Working Party, to celebrate its Indigenous identity and its significance as a meeting place. The gardens incorporate a memorial marker, a cultural marker and purpose built space for Indigenous art and craft markets.
  • Increased resources to the area that expanded Aboriginal community services and improved access to accommodation and other support services.
    
    
• Acknowledgment in Council's Municipal Strategic Statement and Planning Scheme of the need for protection of culturally significant sites.
• Establishment of the Koorie Arts Unit at the City of Port Phillip and employment of a permanent Koorie Arts Officer.
• Raising and flying of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags during Reconciliation Week, NAIDOC Week and other significant events every year.
• Programmed events promoting Reconciliation and NAIDOC every year.
• Endorsement by Council on 27/8/97 of a protocol acknowledging the traditional owners and custodians to be stated by the Mayor or Councillors at civic functions.
• Endorsed Statement of Commitment by Council on 27/8/97 which is a principle of the Council's Memorandum of Understanding.
• Public apology by the Mayor for the 'stolen generation' at a large Reconciliation event attended by approximately 500 people in October 1997 and the calling on the Prime Minister to make a formal apology.
• Formal welcomes to the land extended by representatives of traditional custodians and owners performed regularly at significant public events.
• Annual attendance by Indigenous Council officers to Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) General Assembly (assisted by National Office of Local Government and ATSIC).
• Participation in the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Local Government Indigenous Network.
• Four staff traineeships in the recreation and cultural department since 1995.
• Housing options extended through Council's Housing Strategy.
• Commencement from 14/2/99 of regular Koorie art and craft markets at Cleve Gardens.

 

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