Minutes of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee

 

 

Meeting Date:     Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Location:            Osprey Training Room, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra

Time:                   5.16pm

 

 

The following members were present:

 

Ms Natalie Lloyd – Chairperson (Remotely)

Clr Amanda Findley – Joined at 6.02pm

Clr Evan Christen

Clr Gillian Boyd (Remotely)

Clr John Kotlash - Joined at 5.20pm

Clr Matthew Norris - Joined at 5.20pm

Ms Sylvia Timbery

Mr Paul McLeod

Mr Charlie Ashby (Remotely)

Ms Sharlene Cruickshank

Mr Alfred Wellington – Jerrinja LALC (Joined Remotely at 5.20pm)

Mr Michael Paine - Manager - Community Connections

 

Others present:

 

Mr Allen Bloxsome – Community Capacity Builder – Aboriginal

Mr Michael Newman – National Indigenous Australians Agency (Remotely) – Left at 5.44pm

 

 

 

Apologies / Leave of Absence

An apology was received from Clr Wells, Clr Gray, Mr Shane Brown, Ms Janet Atkins, Uncle Sonny Simms, Ms Belinda Little, Ms Caryn Carpenter & Mr David Blakeney.

 

Confirmation of the Minutes

RESOLVED (Sharlene Cruickshank / Natalie Lloyd)

That the Minutes of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee held on Tuesday 07 May 2024 be confirmed.

CARRIED

 

 

Declaration of Interests

Nil

 

 

 

Presentations

 

AA24.5       Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme

HPERM Ref: D24/302220

Mr Paul McLeod queried how the removal of Territories section of the Scheme applies to those people living in these areas but were not registered. Mr Michael Newman clarified the application process does not require historical records from the applicant, this is part of the Scheme for the National Indigenous Australians Agency to identify this data. Mr Newman further clarified this Scheme is for living survivors who were removed from the Territories and for those survivors who have passed away after the Scheme was announced.

Mr Michael Newman of the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) presented on the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme to raise awareness about the Scheme.

The scheme provides support to Stolen Generations survivors who were removed from their families or communities, and whose removal took place in the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory or Jervis Bay Territory.

The following topics were discussed:

·        Scheme overview

·        Scheme eligibility

·        Applications on behalf of people who have passed

·        Components of redress

·        Scheme statistics

·        Contact us

·        Q&A

The National Indigenous Australians Agency encourages the Committee Members to share the attached poster and information on this Scheme with their networks.

The poster is attached to the Minutes.  

 

 

Reports

 

AA24.6       Adoption of a Standard Acknowledgement of Country for Council

HPERM Ref: D24/272592

The Committee discussed this item and were in agreeance that the proposed Acknowledgment of Country developed by Aboriginal staff be endorsed with the addition of a disclaimer to advise that we acknowledge and understand there are many diverse languages spoken within the Shoalhaven and many different opinions.

Recommendation

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee:

1.     Support and endorse the Acknowledgement of Country developed by Aboriginal staff as the standard written Acknowledgment that Council utilises:

Walawaani (welcome),

Shoalhaven City Council recognises the First Peoples of the Shoalhaven and their ongoing connection to culture and country. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Lore Keepers of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Walawanni njindiwan (safe journey to you all)

2.     Support and endorse the Acknowledgement of Country to be used for the below purposes:

·    Digital and print document templates.

·    Shoalhaven City Council websites, including Shoalhaven Swim Sport and Fitness, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Shoalhaven Libraries, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Shoalwater, Holiday Haven, Tourism, Bereavement Services (new), Councillor Portal and Get Involved pages.

·    Regular Council and Committee meeting agendas.

3.     Support and endorse the use of the Dhurga language within the Acknowledgement of Country.

RECOMMENDATION (By consent)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee:

1.       Support and endorse the Acknowledgement of Country developed by Aboriginal staff as the standard written Acknowledgment that Council utilises:

Walawaani (welcome),

Shoalhaven City Council recognises the First Peoples of the Shoalhaven and their ongoing connection to culture and country. We acknowledge Aboriginal people as the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Lore Keepers of the world’s oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

Walawaani njindiwan (safe journey to you all)

2.     Include a disclaimer to advise that we acknowledge and understand there are many diverse languages spoken within the Shoalhaven and many different opinions.

3.     Support and endorse the Acknowledgement of Country to be used for the below purposes:

·    Digital and print document templates.

·    Shoalhaven City Council websites, including Shoalhaven Swim Sport and Fitness, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Shoalhaven Libraries, Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Shoalwater, Holiday Haven, Tourism, Bereavement Services (new), Councillor Portal and Get Involved pages.

·    Regular Council and Committee meeting agendas.

·        On staff email blocks

4.     Support and endorse the use of the Dhurga language within the Acknowledgement of Country.

CARRIED

 

AA24.12     Aboriginal Advisory Committee - Action Table Report July 2024

HPERM Ref: D24/24423

Recommendation (Item to be determined under delegated authority) 

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee:

1.       Accept and receive the Update Actions report for information.

2.     The following actions are considered complete and removed from the action table:

a.     AA23.34 - Additional Item Presentation Invitation - Cultural Community Engagement - Invitation Manager Design Services - February 2024 Meeting.

b.     AA24.1 – Proposed Road Closure – Part Comberton Grange Road.

c.      AA24.11-Update on Reconciliation Action Plan

d.     AA24.4 -Standing Apology Request-Nicole Moore

e.     AA24.5 - Aboriginal Advisory Committee-Action Table Report May 2024-Defer Item to Next meeting.

RESOLVED (Natalie Lloyd / Sharlene Cruickshank)

That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee:

1.    Accept and receive the Update Actions report for information.

2.    The following actions are considered complete and removed from the action table:

a.    AA23.34 - Additional Item Presentation Invitation - Cultural Community Engagement - Invitation Manager Design Services - February 2024 Meeting.

b.    AA24.1 – Proposed Road Closure – Part Comberton Grange Road.

c.    AA24.11-Update on Reconciliation Action Plan

d.    AA24.4 -Standing Apology Request-Nicole Moore

e.    AA24.5 - Aboriginal Advisory Committee-Action Table Report May 2024-Defer Item to Next meeting.

CARRIED

 

 

GENERAL BUSINESS

·        Status Update - Comberton Grange Road, Comberton

Ms Natalie Lloyd requested an update on the DA for Comberton Grange Rd, Comberton. The Councillors discussed the current issues being experienced with this land and advised the developer is unable to submit a DA at this stage until it has been passed by Council however, legal opinions on this matter are being sought. Mr Michael Paine – Manager Community Connections advised there is an open action for the Design Services Team to provide a report back to the Committee on this matter.

·        Thanks and Appreciation – Mayor & Councillors

Mayor Findley and the Councillors present at the meeting thanked the Committee as this was their last AAC Meeting for some. The Mayor and Councillors offered to continue to support the Aboriginal Communities following their term on Council and commended the work that has taken place within this Committee.

 

 

There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the time being 6.17pm.

 

 

Ms Natalie Lloyd

CHAIRPERSON