Colac Otway starts its Reconciliation Action Plan Reflect Process
May 30, 2019
Colac Otway Shire Council has marked 2019 National Reconciliation Week with the launch of the beginning of its Reconciliation Action Plan.
Council’s Chief Executive Peter Brown said Council had started work on the RAP process with the first stage of “Reflect”.
“Council is committed to a strong relationship with our Aboriginal community and we particularly thank Ebony Hickey and John Clarke for their support and great assistance in encouraging cultural awareness throughout the organization and community.
“The Mayor and myself meet regularly with Ebony, while Council staff and five of our Councillors have recently attended cultural awareness tours of the Colac district, hosted by Ebony and John who shared their vast knowledge with us.
“The Reflect RAP clearly sets out the steps to take to prepare Council for our future reconciliation initiatives.
“Committing to a Reflect RAP allows Council to spend time scoping and developing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, deciding on Council’s vision for reconciliation and exploring council’s influence, before committing to specific actions or initiatives.
“This process will help to produce future RAPs that are meaningful, mutually beneficial and sustainable.”
Please attribute the following quotes to Caracaramigen’s Ebony Hickey:
From our perspective at the Colac Aboriginal Gathering Place, we would hope that the Colac Otway Shire's Reflection RAP will be an all in process, no staff or councillor on the outer, no one blind to the process this will need to take course.
It is my hope that the Reconciliation Action Plan will begin to address and understand deeply the racism, dispossession and intergenerational trauma that is really that impact and legacy left of colonisation for our people and Aboriginal people living here today.
I highly commend any organisation that’s willing to have these yarns, unlearning and relearning, willing to take the footsteps to nurture positive relationships must be built upon truth telling in the most honest and raw forms, even when its uncomfortable.
Council Enquiries
(03) 5232 9400