Minutes of the Aboriginal
Advisory Committee
Meeting Date: Tuesday, 28 February
2023
Location: Jervis
Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra
Time: 5:08pm
The following members were present:
Ms Sylvia Timbery - Chairperson
Clr Patricia White
Clr Evan Christen
Clr John Kotlash (Remote)
Clr Moo D’Ath
Clr Tonia Gray (Remote) – left at 5.25pm
Ms Sharlene Cruickshank
Mr Shane Brown (Remote)
Ms Caryn Carpenter (Remote) – left at 5.31pm
Ms Nicole Moore (Remote)
Ms Natalie Lloyd – arrived at 5.15pm
Mr Charlie Ashby (Remote) – joined at 5.47pm
Mr Jason Groves - Nowra LALC
Mr Alfred Wellington - Jerrinja LALC (Remote) – joined
at 5.11pm
Mr Michael Paine - Manager - Community Connections
Others present:
Ms Jane Lewis – Director City Lifestyles
Ms Sarah Taylor – Manager Library Services
Ms Brooke Aldous – Acting Manager - Business Assurance
& Risk
Mr Jared Brown – Community Capacity Builder -
Aboriginal
Mr Allen Bloxsome – Community Capacity Builder -
Aboriginal
Ms Caitlin Lewis – Manager Media & Communications
Mr Paul Donnelly – Lead Open Space & Recreation
Planning
Mr Michael Paine - Manager - Community Connections
assumed the role of Chairperson and opened the meeting by observing a Minute
Silence in Respect of Aboriginal Elders, Past and Present.
Mr Jason Groves Acknowledged the Traditional Custodians
of the land.
Apologies were received from Clr Findley, Mr Paul McLeod, Ms
Janet Atkins.
Confirmation of the Minutes
|
RESOLVED (Clr Kotlash / Nowra LALC - Jason Groves)
That the Minutes of the
Aboriginal Advisory Committee held on Tuesday 06 December 2022 be confirmed.
CARRIED
|
Nil
Procedural
Motion - Bring Item Forward
|
RESOLVED (Sharlene Cruickshank / Clr White)
That the
matter of item AA23.3 – Election of Chairperson be brought forward for
consideration.
CARRIED
|
Note: Mr Alfred Wellington – Jerrinja LALC joined the
meeting (remotely) at 5.11pm
AA23.3 Election of
Chairperson
|
HPERM Ref: D22/513056
|
Mr Michael
Paine - Manager Community Connections (Acting Chairperson) called for
nominations for Chairperson.
Ms Sharlene
Cruickshank nominated Ms Sylvia Timbery.
Ms Sylvia
Timbery accepted the nomination as Interim Chairperson to September 2023.
It was noted
that Ms Janet Atkins had expressed interest in the Election of Chairperson.
Staff
suggested that Ms Sylvia Timbery accept the nomination as Interim Chairperson
and the matter be deferred to the next meeting to allow further consideration
by members and to confirm that Ms Janet Atkins accepted her nomination.
Note: Ms Natalie
Lloyd arrived at 5.15pm
|
Recommendation
That the
Aboriginal Advisory Committee elect (insert name) as Chairperson for the
period to September 2023, and seek the endorsement of this appointment by
Council.
|
RESOLVED (Clr D'Ath / Sharlene Cruickshank)
That the
Aboriginal Advisory Committee elect Ms Sylvia Timbery as Interim Chairperson
and the Election of Chairperson be deferred to the next meeting to allow for
further consideration.
CARRIED
|
Note:
Ms Sylvia Timbery assumed the role of Interim Chairperson.
Presentations
AA23.1 Presentation -
Sanctuary Point Library - Outdoor Artwork
|
HPERM Ref: D22/520984
|
Ms Sarah Taylor - Manager Library
Services provided a presentation to the Committee in relation to the outdoor
artwork at the Sanctuary Point Library.
The presentation will be distributed to
members via email.
Note: Ms Caryn
Carpenter left the meeting at 5.31pm during the presentation.
|
Note: Ms Nicole Moore advised that in relation to the
Election of Chairperson, Ms Janet Atkins doesn’t accept the nomination as
Chair.
AA23.2 Draft
Community Engagement Strategy Presentation
|
HPERM Ref: D23/26662
|
Ms Caitlin Lewis – Manager Media
& Communications addressed the Committee and provided an overview of the
Community Engagement Strategy and encouraged the Committee to provide
feedback and in particular how they wish to receive communication and
how Council can engage meaningfully with the Indigenous Community.
The link to
the Draft Strategy document will be forwarded to members via email, to allow
members to provide feedback.
Note: Mr
Charlie Ashby joined the meeting (remotely) at 5.47pm
|
Reports
AA23.3 Election of Chairperson
|
HPERM Ref: D22/513056
|
Item dealt with earlier in the meeting.
|
AA23.4 Report Back -
Proceed of Sale - Aboriginal Cultural Centre - 160 Junction St Nowra, Lot 12
DP 584374
|
HPERM Ref: D22/527650
|
The Committee held a discussion
in relation to the sale of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre and questions were
raised about what the purchaser from Council did with the proceeds when it
was on sold in 2006 by South Coast Aboriginal Centre Pty Ltd.
A question was raised about who
the South Coast Aboriginal Cultural Centre Ltd ‘Elders
Advisory Committee’ is.
|
Recommendation (Item to
be determined under delegated authority)
That as resolved on the 5 December
2022 (MIN22.939), the Aboriginal Advisory Committee receive this report
detailing the financial transaction for the Sale of the Aboriginal Cultural
Centre on land identified as 160 Junction Street Nowra, for information.
|
RESOLVED (Sharlene Cruickshank / Sylvia Timbery)
That:
1.
As resolved on the 5 December 2022 (MIN22.939), the Aboriginal
Advisory Committee receive this report detailing the financial transaction
for the Sale of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre on land identified as 160
Junction Street Nowra, for information.
2.
The Technical Services Manager be invited to attend the next meeting
to address the Committee, investigate and provide clarity on who the South Coast Aboriginal Cultural Centre Ltd ‘Elders
Advisory Committee’ to enable further inquires to be made related to what
they did with the funds from the sale of the property.
CARRIED
|
AA23.5 Aboriginal
Advisory Committee Terms of Reference Review 2023
|
HPERM Ref: D23/26743
|
Mr Michael
Paine – Manager Community Connections and Mr Jared Brown –
Community Capacity Builder – Aboriginal addressed the Committee and
provided a verbal update on the proposed changes to the Terms of Reference.
The members
present suggested to hold a Workshop to consider the proposed changes to the
Terms of Reference. This Workshop is intended to be held prior to the next
meeting therefore the Terms of Reference can be reported to the next
subsequent Committee meeting for endorsement.
Questions were
raised regarding the Expression of Interest process and the consideration of
Elders (male and female) for membership. It was suggested that this be
addressed as part of the Terms of Reference Workshop.
|
Recommendation
That the Aboriginal Advisory Committee
accept the new format and proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference and
submit to Council for adoption.
|
RESOLVED (By consent)
That prior to the next Committee
meeting, a Workshop be held to discuss the Terms of Reference, and following
the Workshop the Draft Terms of Reference be reported to the Committee for
adoption.
CARRIED
|
AA23.6 Boongaree
Reconciliation Garden - Naming
|
HPERM Ref: D23/46612
|
Mr Paul Donnelly – Lead
Open Space & Recreation Planning addressed the meeting and provided a
verbal update to the report.
Questions were raised around the
meaning of, and where the term ‘Boongaree’ originated and how the
Aboriginal Community were consulted.
Mr Paul Donnelly ensured that
going forward it’s his intention to engage with this Committee and
Aboriginal Elders. Mr Donnelly advised that he is open to receiving feedback
from the Committee and intends on coming back to the Committee on an as needs
basis, for project matters as they arises.
|
Recommendation (Item to
be determined under delegated authority)
That the
Aboriginal Advisory Committee receive this report as an update relating to
naming of the Boongaree Reconciliation Garden.
|
RESOLVED (Nowra LALC - Jason Groves / Sharlene
Cruickshank)
That:
1.
The Aboriginal Advisory Committee be invited to contribute of the
development of interpretive signage for Boongaree;
2.
All matters relating to Aboriginal Heritage values at Boongaree be
referred to the Aboriginal Advisory Committee.
CARRIED
|
AA23.7 Action Table
Report - February 2023
|
HPERM Ref: D23/48453
|
Mr Michael
Paine – Manager Community Connections addressed the Committee and
provided verbal updates in relation to items on the Action Table, the
following comments were made:
·
AA22.13 – The draft project plan will be presented to the
Executive Management Team in March. It was suggested that representatives be
reappointed on the Project Reference Group, see AA23.8.
·
AA22.18 – This item has been superseded by AA22.28.
Therefore this item is considered complete.
·
AA22.21 – Still in progress, action to remain open.
·
AA22.23 – The briefing has taken place. This item is
considered complete.
o It was noted
that following the Briefing the membership was reported back to Council at
its meeting of Monday 27 February 2023, at this meeting the Motion lapsed due
to lack of seconder, therefore no decision was made in relation to the
membership.
o Staff suggested
that as part of the TOR Workshop (AA23.5) the membership is also reviewed and
an audit of members take place, following this a new EOI can be run. Staff
will advise David Blakeney of that position/way forward and Mr Blakeney will
not be required to re-apply during the EOI process.
·
AA22.25 – This item is considered complete.
·
AA22.26 – Comment provided in the table, ongoing.
·
AA22.27 – No update provided.
·
AA22.28 – Comment provided in the table.
o Further to
the comment in the table, Ms Brooke Aldous – Acting Manager Business
Assurance & Risk advised that the 3 LALC’s have been contacted via
email and followed up with a voicemail seeking both male and female representation
on Council’s Advisory Committee’s in which the LALC’s have
membership.
·
AA22.29 – Comment provided in the table, no further
update provided. Mr Michael Paine advised he would follow up with the
Strategic Planning team to see if there is further information.
·
AA22.31 – This item is considered complete.
·
AA22.32 – Comment provided in table, matter is ongoing.
·
AA22.33 – This item is considered complete.
·
AA22.5 – This matter is ongoing.
|
Recommendation (Item to
be determined under delegated authority)
That
1. Accept
and receive the Action Table Report – February 2023 for information.
2. The
following actions are considered complete and can be removed from the action
table:
a. Item
AA22.18 – Consideration of Dedicated Aboriginal Member on all Council
Advisory Committees.
b. Item
AA22.23 – Aboriginal Advisory Committee – Membership Appointment
– deferred – Clr Briefing.
c. Item
AA22.33 - Presentation on Mollymook Coastal Masterplan.
|
RESOLVED (By consent)
That the
Aboriginal Advisory Committee:
1.
Accept and receive the Action Table Report – February 2023 for
information.
2.
The following actions are considered complete and can be removed from
the action table:
a.
AA22.18 – Consideration of Dedicated Aboriginal Member on all
Council Advisory Committees.
b.
AA22.23 – Aboriginal Advisory Committee – Membership
Appointment – deferred – Clr Briefing.
c.
AA22.25 - Boongaree Reconciliation Garden - Project Update / Further
Concept Design Guidance - Project Stakeholder Group - Community Capacity
Builder
d.
AA22.31 - Additional Item - Old Aboriginal Cultural Centre - Sale /
Funds - Report Request
e.
AA22.33 - Presentation on Mollymook Coastal Masterplan.
CARRIED
|
AA23.8 Additional
Item - Appoint Representatives - Project Reference Group - Reconciliation
Action Plan
|
The Committee discussed this matter as part of the Action
Table (See AA22.13), it was noted that Mr Jared Brown has resigned and Ms
Kalinda Wills is no longer within her Youth position on the Committee.
|
RESOLVED (By consent)
That the Aboriginal Advisory
Committee nominate the following representatives to form part of a Project
Reference Group to assist in the development of the Reconciliation Action
Plan:
·
Mr Jason Groves – (Nowra LALC)
·
Ms Natalie Lloyd
CARRIED
|
GENERAL BUSINESS
AA23.9 Additional
Item - Documents Tabled - Anti-Racism
|
Mr Jason Groves expressed concerns regarding the
membership EOI processes, which he raised at the last meeting.
Mr Groves expressed his desire to make a difference in a
meaningful way, and expressed where changes can be made in behaviour, and how
issues as an Aboriginal Community can be addressed in collaboration with
Council.
Mr Groves tabled 3 documents which will be distributed to
the Committee via email.
|
AA23.11 Additional
Item - Unions Shoalhaven - Presentation
|
Clr Kotlash has been contacted by Ms Pat David (Unions
Shoalhaven) who requested to come and present to the Committee in relation to
what the Union movement is doing around the ‘Yes Campaign’.
|
REcommendation (Clr Kotlash / Sharlene Cruickshank)
That the Aboriginal Advisory
Committee invite Unions Shoalhaven (Representative Patricia David) to make a
presentation to a future meeting in relation to the work they are doing around
the ‘Yes Campaign’.
CARRIED
Directors Note: Council may consider it to be appropriate to seek an
alternate view on the voice, to maintain a balanced approach and Council's
impartiality
|
There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the
time being 7.20pm.
Ms Sylvia
Timbery
CHAIRPERSON