Minutes of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee

Meeting Date:    Thursday, 24 November 2016

Location:            Seven Mile Beach Room, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   4.09 pm

The following members were present:

Clr Nina Cheyne

Clr Mark Kitchener

Mr Shane Brown

Ms Valda Corrigan

Ms Sue-Anne Cutmore

Ms Leslie Halls

Mr Troy Lenihan

Ms Patricia Lester

Ms Sylvia Timbery

Mr Noel Wellington

Others present:

Margaret Simoes - Aboriginal Community Development Officer

Shannan Perry-Hall – Tourism Investments and Events Specialist

Bev Simmonds – Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service

Tony Simmonds – Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service

Peter Moore – Southern Cross Community Housing

Vic Sharman

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Clr White, Clr Findley, Leonie Ebzery, Christine Finney and Janet Atkins.

The Committee participated in a minute of silence in respect of Aboriginal Elders, past and present.

Visitors to the meeting introduced themselves

– Mr & Mrs Simmonds from the NSW Rural Fire Service spoke about the AIDER (Assist Infirm, Disabled and Elderly Residents) program.  This is a free, one-off service which supports some of our most at-risk community members. The program helps people live more safely and confidently in their homes in areas where bush fires may start.  More information can be found on the website http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/plan-and-prepare/aider

– Peter Moore advised members that Southern Cross Community Housing provides high quality housing and tenancy management and access to support to people in the Shoalhaven who need affordable and stable housing.

– Uncle Vic Sharman.

Election of Chairperson

Nominations for Chairperson were received for Sue Cutmore, Silvia Timbery, Clr White and Clr Kitchener.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That

1. Sue Cutmore be appointed as the Chairperson for the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

2. Clr Kitchener be appointed as the Co-Chairperson for the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.

CARRIED

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the minutes of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee held on Monday 8 August 2016 be confirmed.

CARRIED

Sue Cutmore referred to Item 4 of the last minutes regarding the Local Government NSW Aboriginal Network Conference which was held in August 2016.  Sue advised the Committee that the conference was very worthwhile and some of the key issues discussed at the conference were: 

– Cultural landscape & mapping

– Promotion of cultural sites and land councils

– Constitutional change / the Recognise Campaign

– Cultural tours

– Environmental health officer training program

– Creating liveable communities

Declarations of Interest

Nil

ADDITIONAL ITEM

AA16.5       Projects update

Shannan Perry-Hall, Tourism Investments and Events Specialist, advised the Committee that there have been a number of projects being progressed over the last 12 months such as “Walking Tourism in the Shoalhaven”.

The 2017 Shoalhaven Visitor Guide is expected to go to print on 25 November 2016 and Shannan showed a mock-up of pages which contained Aboriginal images from Bomaderry Creek Mural.  Members provided feedback.

Pat Lester and Valda Corrigan stated the Mural has a very significant meaning. The Committee agreed that the Bomaderry Creek Mural should be more appropriately acknowledged.

Shannan noted that Destination NSW is keen for more indigenous tourism products on the south coast.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That

1. The Aboriginal Advisory Committee receive the Projects Update report for information.

2. A report be provided to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee on ways in which the Bomaderry Creek Mural could be more appropriately acknowledged.

CARRIED

Presentations

AA16.1       2016 Reflection

HPERM Ref: D16/353936

Margaret Simoes provided a PowerPoint presentation regarding the NAIDOC Week Morning Tea and the Aboriginal Advisory Committee Acknowledgement to Country. The Chairperson thanked Margaret on behalf of the Committee for all her hard work for NAIDOC week and the Smoking Ceremony and Welcome Song which was part of the official ceremony welcoming of the new Shoalhaven City Council.  The Chairperson also congratulated Clr Findley on her election as Mayor and to all the Councillors on their election to office. Noel Wellington was also thanked for making the cultural gift that was presented to Clr Findley on her appointment to the Office of Mayor.

Reports

AA16.2       Aboriginal Advisory Committee - Resignation - Troy Lenihan	HPERM Ref: D16/354415
The Chairperson thanked Troy Lenihan for his contribution and commitment to the Committee. It was noted that, as Troy was a member of the Shoalhaven Arts Board.  Shane Brown volunteered to be the new Arts Board representative and the Committee agreed.
RESOLVED (By consent) 1.    That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee accept the resignation of Mr Troy Lenihan. 2.    Write to Mr Troy Lenihan to thank him for his contribution to the Committee. 3.    Advise the Shoalhaven Arts Board that the Aboriginal Advisory Committee has nominated Shane Brown to be a member on the Arts Board.  Shane will be requested to complete an application for membership on the Shoalhaven Arts Board. CARRIED
Troy advised the Committee that there is a land and sea native title claim from Bundeena to Eden and an initial meeting regarding the claim will be held on 10 & 11 December 2016 at Club Narooma.  Those wishing to attend the meeting should register with the Native Title Services Corporation by 1 December 2016.  Contact phone numbers for Native Title Services enquires are 1800 111 844 or 02 93103188.

Note: Valda Corigan left the meeting at 5:50pm

AA16.3       Membership Requests - Natalie Lloyd and Les Bursill OAM	HPERM Ref: D16/354538
Recommendation 1.    The Aboriginal Advisory Committee accept the membership applications from: a.    Natalie Lloyd b.    Les Bursill OAM 2.    That they be notified of their appointment and invited to all future meetings.
RESOLVED (By consent) Members considered the applications for membership from Natalie Lloyd and Les Bursill.  This item is to be deferred to the next meeting of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee. CARRIED

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

AA16.6       Committee Effectiveness Training

Margaret Simoes updated the Committee regarding the Committee Effectiveness Training and  advised that the Governance Business Unit Manager will provide training in early 2017 in relation to Code of Conduct and Meeting Procedure.

AA16.7       Aboriginal Advisory Committee Meeting Dates

The Committee discussed the frequency of meetings for 2017 and agreed that they would prefer that meetings be scheduled on Wednesdays.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee request that staff schedule the Committee meetings on Wednesdays in 2017 where possible.

CARRIED

AA16.8      

The Committee discussed issues that should be focused on going forward into the new year.  An Advisory Action Plan and Cullunghutti were two suggestions.

The Committee agreed that approximately five key issues should be identified as the focus of the Committee in 2017 and requested that a report be prepared for the next meeting.

RESOLVED (By consent)

The Committee agreed that approximately five key issues should be identified as the focus of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee in 2017 and a report be prepared for the next meeting.

CARRIED

AA16.9       Aboriginal Advisory Committee representation on the Access Advisory Committee

Clr Cheyne suggested that there should be Aboriginal Advisory Committee representation on the Shoalhaven Access Advisory Committee.

AA16.10     Membership Renewal

Margaret Simoes flagged that all Committee memberships are due for renewal in 2017. At the first meeting in 2017 members will be asked if they would like to express an interest to continue as members of the Committee.

RESOLVED (By consent)

That a report be prepared regarding the renewal of Aboriginal Advisory Committee memberships in 2017.

CARRIED

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6.15pm.

Sue Cutmore

CHAIRPERSON