Feedback accepted up to 5pm Thursday, 15 August 2024.
Residents are encouraged to have their say on the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026, which outlines Council’s ongoing commitment to partnership work with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Developed in partnership with the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group and supporting agencies, the document – which is the first Reconciliation Action Plan to be developed by Council - has been conditionally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the peak organisation in Australia overseeing reconciliation action plans.
Featuring local artwork, photographs and images contributed by the local Aboriginal community, the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026 incorporates the theme “Walking Forward Together” and outlines the steps Council, the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group and partner agencies have undertaken so far, and actions intended to be taken in the future, as part of a shared reconciliation journey.
The draft plan outlines 22 deliverables unique to Gannawarra determined by the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group, that Council and agencies will work towards achieving in partnership with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These include:
- Facilitating an annual Walk on Country/Yarning Circle for community leader to increase mutual understanding and build community leadership for reconciliation;
- Organising at least one National Reconciliation Week event each year;
- Holding at least one Aboriginal art exhibition annually, particularly to coincide with Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week;
- Incorporating at least one Aboriginal touring product in Council’s annual theatre production calendar;
- Continuing the support programs for children and young people through the established programs, Tyipen Kwe (children), Tyipen Kwe (youth), and Kethawil Pemenguuk to ensure that children and young people are culturally strong and have the opportunity to learn about Country, language, stories, women’s and men’s business and develop a sense of belonging, cultural identity and connection;
- Explore opportunities for a bush tucker garden to be established in Kerang; and
- Commit to exploring a project that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the tourism sector.
To view the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026, please click here(PDF, 4MB).
How you can have your say
You can have your say regarding the Draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026 before 5pm Thursday, 15 August 2024 in one of the following ways:
- By completing the Have Your Say form below.
- By picking up a Have Your Say form from Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang and completing your form by 5pm Thursday, 15 August.
- By emailing council@gsc.vic.gov.au.
- By mailing Gannawarra Shire Council at PO Box 287, Kerang VIC 3579.
All feedback received will assist in developing the final version of the Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026, which will be presented to Council for approval at a later date and submitted to Reconciliation Australia for formal approval.