ATTACHMENT 1 CL……. COMMUNITY CARE
MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN GROUND FLOOR MEETING ROOMS, COUNCIL CHAMBER BUILDING, CIVIC PLACE, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY, 22AUGUST 2006AT 5.52 PM
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PRESENT
Ms Linda McDonaldin the Chair, Mr Phillip Bradley, Mr Doug Desjardines, Ms Marcia Donovan,Ms Lyn Leerson, Ms June Magrath,Ms Annie Neilson John Robertson, Mr Phil Russo and Gilson Saunders.
IN ATTENDANCE
Jacinta Tobin – Chairperson, Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation, Gordon Workman – Representative for Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation, Ms Sue Pinckham – ATSI Services & Capacity Building Project Officer,Kevin Brennan - Community Capacity Building Officer, Stephen Leslie - Committee Secretary and Councillor Paul Barber.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS THE DHARUG PEOPLE
The Chairperson, Linda McDonaldmade reference to the fact that the land upon which the meeting was being held was previously occupied by the Dharug Aboriginal Community and asked that this acknowledgment be recorded.
APOLOGIES
An apology was received and accepted for the absence ofBruce Gale, Anne Castles, Allan Merriman, Tabatha Timbery-Cann - Sydney Metro Catchment Management Authority, Vikki King – Manager Social & Community Services, Lisa Giacomelli – Service Manager Community Capacity Building, Councillor Maureen Walsh, Phil Murphy – Supervisor Natural Resources and Mr Kevin Thorne – Aboriginal Family Support Officer.
WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS
The Chairperson Linda McDonald welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for attending and everyone present introduced themselves and provided details of their involvement with the Aboriginal Community.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATIONS
There were no declarations made regarding Conflict of Interest at this meeting.
MINUTES
81/06A copy of the report of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee held on Tuesday 26July 2006 had been forwarded with the agenda prior to this meeting.
Recommendation– (Phillip Bradley/John Robertson)
Minutes of the Meeting of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee held on 26July 2006 be taken as read and confirmed as a true record of the Meeting with the exception that a notation be recorded that Committee Member Linda McDonald did not agree with the decision on 27 June 2006 that the Smoking Ceremonies to be conducted during NAIDOC Week be cancelled.
BUSINESS ARISING
82/06Employment of an Indigenous Guide / Ranger at LakeParramatta
Ranger/Guide position to be advertised in near future
83/06Naming of West End Meeting Room, Level 2, LibraryBuilding with an Aboriginal Name.
Manager Information & Library – Roger Henshaw has provided details and artwork and the suggestion is that a Learning Rock with Aboriginals sitting around the rock be displayed at the entrance to the Meeting Room.
84/06Black Deaths in Custody
Doug Desjardines provided an update and the Committee is awaiting a response from the letter to the Prime Minister, NSW Premier and Secretary United Nations regarding an explanation as to what their intentions are to prevent a further occurrence of such a disturbing matter.
Bruce Gale has advised that Trevor Christian from the Aboriginal Legal Service is unable to attend a meeting at this stage however he will follow this matter up at the next Board Meeting.
85/06Bid to Host 2009Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference
Sue Pinckham advised that the estimated cost of hosting a conference would be $173,000 with an expected $43,000 to be recouped leaving a net amount of $130,000. She advised that a bid would have to be made at the Coffs Harbour Conference in 2007 and that discussions with Blacktown City Council (Bob Leslie) regarding co-hosting would take place in the near future.
86/06Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program
Sue Pinckham advised that evaluation of the Program was currently being undertaken. She added that John McNamara – Department of Employment & Workplace Relations will attend the October Meeting to discuss the Program. Also 2% is the target for the employment of permanent Indigenous Persons at Parramatta City Council.
87/06BushGarden at LakeParramatta – Stage 2
Plants that did not survive in Stage 1 are to be replaced. Sue Pinckham advised that Stage 2 had commenced.
88/06DuckRiver Catchment Project
Restoration and regeneration works are being undertaken and two positions have been advertised for Indigenous workers with Bush Regeneration Certificates 2 or 3 required. Phil Murphy has advised that native plants are to be used in this project.
89/06Disabled Playground at LakeParramatta
Sue Pinckham advised that an opportunity is available to incorporate Koori Design with this project. Sensory plants are to be used with a cascading effect down the playground incorporating touch, smell, visual and plants that are not harmful. Also five colours are to be used on the playground base incorporating the Eel Pattern.
ACTIONS & WORKPLAN
90/06The list of Projects and Outstanding Matters – Refer Attachment 3 to the Agenda – was received, noted and updated.
FEEDBACK FROM COUNCIL
91/06The following matters were raised:
- Council’s Grant Program
Discussion regarding specific grants and amounts allocated took place. The meeting was advised that the Grants Program was currently being reviewed and a form for comments was handed out at the meeting for feedback. The Committee agreed that purchase of Capital Items should be included in the Grants Program and all Committee Members were aware of the Program.
Sue Pinckham advised that there was a tight timeframe regarding this matter as a report has to be submitted to Council in November 2006.
Office space for the Dharug Corporation which covers 19 LGA Areas including Change of Seasons Concept and a Cultural Awareness Program was suggested as an area for funding in the future. Assistance for smaller groups in completing the application was also raised.
- Meeting with other LGA’s – NAIDOC Week 2007
Sue Pinckham advised that she had arranged a future Planning Day for NAIDOC Week 2007. Auburn, Blacktown, Fairfield and Holroyd Council’s Aboriginal Workers have been invited for the meeting to be held next Tuesday 29 August 2006 at Parramatta.
- DuckRiver Projects
DuckRiver Environment Trust Program ($23,851) delayed due to contamination and waste also the Mighty Duck River Project expected to commence January 2007.
- MarsdenStreetBridge – Renaming
The Committee was advised that the Marsden Street Bridge had been renamed the BernieBantonBridge. A Lord Mayoral Minute was submitted to Council recommending the above renaming.
- O’Connell / Marsden Streets Upgrade
The Committee was advised that the upgrade involving the northern sides of the above streets and a shared path costing $400,000 and involving the removal of 72 trees – mainly Oaks and Melaleucas – would commence shortly.
NAIDOC WEEK CELEBRATIONS FOR 2006 - EVALUATION
92/06At the last meeting the following took place:
“Lindy Dodd provided an explanation regarding the Smoking Ceremonies and indicated that a letter of support would be provided if required by the Committee. She added that the Flag Raising Event was very successful and made the comment that there was no dancing and that this should be included in 2007.
Sandy Kitching asked why the Smoking Ceremonies had gone ahead. Lindy Dodd explained the circumstances surrounding the matter. A lengthy discussion took place, including changes to Aboriginal Protocol and the need for a cultural awareness program for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Committee Members as a way of understanding ceremonies such as the Smoking Ceremony. Lindy Dodd added that she had consulted the Chairperson, Bruce Gale and Deputy Chairperson, Allan Merriman regarding this matter and they decided that the Smoking Ceremony would go ahead as this matter, unfortunately, had been raised too close to the Flag Raising Ceremony and an expeditious decision was required.
It was also agreed that DharugLand Council/Custodians be invited to a future meeting to explain Smoking Ceremonies.
Lindy Dodd requested that a direction in writing be provided regarding the continuation of future Smoking Ceremonies.
A slide show of the Flag Raising and Family Day on 1 and 2 July 2006 took place at the meeting and the following comments were made:-
More promotion required
Move acts around for maximum exposure
Transport required, eg. shuttle bus
Placement of banners requires attention
Marquees should be considered
Supporting celebrities should be sought
Security to be investigated for 2007
Catering – revisit for 2007
Publicity – Schools in LGA
Sue McDermott provided an update and congratulated the Committee on the outcome and their hard work and attendance. Sue Pinckham thanked all Committee Members for their efforts during NAIDOC Week and distributed an Evaluation Report and Survey Results – Attachments 1 & 2 – for Members’ information.
ACTION REQUIRED – Executive Committee
That the Executive Committee meet to discuss Item 72/06 of the Minutes of the Meeting held 27 June 2006 in respect to the paragraph “The Executive Committee ………..Protocol” and particularly regarding the word “unanimously”.”
Bruce Gale provided feedback via an email regarding this matterAttachment 1
He raised several issues including posters and theme required earlier, flag raising ceremony and dancing next year, security, live coverage with the Chinese New Year and including the “Living Black” Program.
Following further discussion it was agreed that an Executive Committee Meeting be arranged by Linda McDonald following contact with the Chairperson Bruce Gale for a suitable date.
GENERAL BUSINESS
93/06Protocols for Acknowledging AboriginalLand – LGA Conference
The meeting agreed that a late item be submitted to the LGA Conference to be held at Leura from 28 October to 1 November 2006 regarding Protocols for AcknowledgingAboriginalLand.
Also that the Minister for Education & Training, Carmel Tebbutt, through the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, be requested to follow this matter up and make appropriate representations.
94/06Westmead Hospital – Women’s & Children’s Health FacilityAttachment 2
The naming of seven new areas / spaces at the hospital is required. Five areas have been named however suggestions are required for the Education Room and Discharge Room.
The meeting agreed that this matter be referred to the Darug Tribal and Dharug Custodian Corporations for input and report back to this Committee.
95/06Promotion of an Aboriginal Health Centre in ParramattaAttachment 3
Committee Member Phil Bradley raised this matter and a media release is attached for the information of Committee Members.
96/06Rangihou Reserve, Morton Street, Parramatta
Sue Pinckham advised that a container of Maori artefacts would be on exhibition at the AustralianMuseum, College Street, Sydney. She added that on the 9 September at Rangihou Reserve an onsite meeting was held as the site holds cultural significance for the Maoris’. The site was where Samuel Marsden established the Native Institute with 8 Maori Chieftain’s Sons. Dharug children were also taken there as part of the Stolen Generation.
Gilson Saunders carried out a Smoking Ceremony as part of the event and Aunty Mavis Halvorson (Dharug Elder) did a Welcome to Country. Both Gil and Aunty Mavis are required to be at the AustralianMuseum on Friday, 15 September 2006 at 6am for the official opening. The Maori Artefacts Exhibition will run for two months.
97/06Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners the Dharug People at Council Meetings
The meeting made reference to the fact that the land upon which Council Meetings were being held was previously occupied by the Dharug Aboriginal Community and respectively requested that this acknowledgment take place at each Council Meeting.
98/06Smoking Ceremonies
Gordon Workman - Representative for Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation provided background and an overview and the Darug Tribe and advised that a recognised elder should approve all Smoking Ceremonies. He added that Uncle Wes is not Darug however he is approved to perform Smoking Ceremonies by the Darug Community.
99/06Congratulations – Sue Pinckham
The Committee congratulated Sue Pinckham on receiving a Celebrating Success Award and Committee Member Gilson Saunders thanked Sue for her efforts and contribution to this Committee over the past six months.
100/06Elizabeth Sheppard - Resignation
The Committee was advised that Elizabeth was unable to attend meetings due to other commitments and she wishes to resign from the Committee.
The Committee agreed that her resignation be accepted, effective immediately, and she be thanked for efforts and contribution to this Committee.
INFORMATION SHARING
1.Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Flags for Schools
Committee Member Phil Russo advised that Laurie Ferguson, Federal Member for Reid be contacted if flags are required for schools.
2NorthmeadPublic School
Allan Merriman has advised that a rainwater tank and bush garden similar to Stage 1 at LakeParramatta has been constructed at NorthmeadPublic School.
3Wave Hill Strike for Indigenous Workers’ Rights – 40 Year Commemoration
Committee Member Phil Bradley raised this matter and tabled the ACTU press release for the information of Committee Members. Attachment 4
NEXT MEETING
5.30 pm
Tuesday, 26September 2006
Ground Floor Meeting Rooms
CouncilChamberBuilding
Civic Place, Parramatta
The meeting concluded at 8.41 pm.
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