The results are in! 

Many Victorian local governments leading the way in Reconciliation!

Victorian Local Government Aboriginal Engagement and Reconciliation Survey 2012  

Download Overview Report – Summary of key findings

Download Statewide Survey Responses

In May 2012 the Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal Affairs wrote to all Victorian local governments asking them to participate in the survey. When the survey closed in July 2012 over 95% of Councils had responded.

Survey results show that many Victorian local governments are leaders in engaging Aboriginal communities and promoting reconciliation. The results demonstrate a significant increase in activities and commitments in the sector over the past decade, since the Toomnangi Report published by the MAV Inter-agency Indigenous Coordination Committee for Local Government in 2002.

Reconciliation Victoria developed the survey in partnership with the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), Local Government Professionals (LGPro) and the Victorian Indigenous Youth Advisory Council (VIYAC), with support from the Victorian State Government.

Councils have been provided with a report of their own responses compared with State-wide responses in addition to the Overview Report. We hope that this information will enable councils to reflect on the strengths of their current policy and practice and support planning and programming to address gaps.

Survey results are also being used to inform the focus of the Local Government – Aboriginal Partnership Project (LGAPP) which is being developed by a partnership of the MAV, VLGA, LGPro, Reconciliation Victoria, Aboriginal representatives and all three levels of government. 

The LGAPP partners are currently developing sector wide guiding principles and practical tools to support stronger relationships between councils and Aboriginal Victorians.  A draft of these will be put out for consultation shortly.

Reconciliation Victorian is working with LGAPP partners to develop a one-stop-shop website that celebrates excellence and enables local governments to access and share information on Aboriginal engagement and Reconciliation, which we anticipate will be launched at the end of 2012. The guiding principles and practical tools being developed by LGAPP partners will be featured on this site along with case studies and examples of good practice and innovation drawn from survey responses. 

For further information contact Erin McKinnon, Reconciliation Victoria Statewide Coordinator

erin.mckinnon@reconciliationvic.org.au

T: 9016 0657 / 0419 943 520


 

Rec Week Local Government Leading Edge Forum

A belated but amazing end to RecWeek was the forum ‘From little things …  stories from the sector’, a Local Government Leading Edge Forum hosted by the VLGA and RecVic.

Those present were lucky to experience a feast for the senses of stories, songs, language and listening. Three very different but equally inspiring stories of Local Government facilitating true reconciliation were shared.

Thanks so much to our partners the VLGA, our wonderful speakers Dr Laura Brearley, Glenys Watts and Catherine O’Flynn, to Frances Ford and Daph Yarram who had prepared to speak but couldn’t be with us on the night, though were there on screen and in spirit, and also to Matty Weegberg who performed beautifully on the didgeridoo. If you missed it  you can view the webcast here: http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/23140038


 

Promoting Reconciliation through Local Government

In 2010-11 Reconciliation Victoria led the Reconciliation in Local Government Action Research Project, in partnership with the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) and Reconciliation Australia, and with funding support from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.

The aim of the project was to explore the usefulness, advantages and limitations of the Reconciliation Action Plan tool for Victorian Local Governments to advance reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. The project assisted three local councils to develop Reconciliation Action Plans - Baw Baw Shire Council and the Cities of Whittlesea and Stonnington.

The report of the project has made recommendations related to the Reconciliation Action Plan program for local governments, recommendations directed at individual local governments and recommendations for peak bodies and State government regarding support for the local government sector.

Download Executive Summary

Download Full Report

RecVic is also a member of the Local Government Aboriginal Partnerships Project: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/indigenous/projects-and-programs/local-government-aboriginal-partnership