You are here: Home > Community & Health > Reconciliation
Reconciliation
In an attempt to further the process of reconciliation, Council has an ongoing commitment to raising the profile of the Indigenous community, increasing opportunities for education and employment and improving access to services for Indigenous people in Whitehorse and the wider eastern region.
What is Reconciliation?
Reconciliation recognises the special place and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians, values their participation and provides equal life chances for all. Reconciliation involves justice, recognition and healing. It's about helping all Australians move forward with a better understanding of the past and how the past affects the lives of Indigenous people today.
Indigenous Community in Whitehorse
The eastern metropolitan region is made up of the seven local government areas of the Cities of Whitehorse, Maroondah, Manningham, Monash, Boroondara, Knox and the Shire of Yarra Ranges. There are relatively low numbers of Indigenous people in each of the local government areas with the highest population being in the Yarra Ranges. In total, there are 2200 Indigenous people in the region, which makes up approximately 9% of Victoria's Indigenous population. Census data from 2006 records 286 Indigenous people living in Whitehorse, although research indicateds that a lack of trust in government data collection often results in this community being under represented statistically.
Members of the Indigenous community in the region have established the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place, a neighbourhood house in Croydon funded by the Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide programs identified by Indigenous people. The Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place reflects the need for a centrally located point of association within the region. Other Indigenous specific services in the region include the Toor-Rong Aboriginal Corporation, the Aboriginal Health Service, Oonah Indigenous Arts Enterprises and Worawa Aboriginal College.
Indigenous History in Whitehorse
The Wurundjeri people are the traditional owners of the land now known as Whitehorse. The Wurundjeri are one of seven tribes of the Kulin Nation and collectively its members claimed all of that part of the Port Phillip region that was drained by the Yarra River and its tributaries. Woiwurrung is the traditional language of this group and Bunjil the eagle is their totem.
The following extract has been sourced from Koorie Plants and Koorie People by Nelly Zola and Beth Gott (1992): 'Before European settlement, there were approximately 41 Aboriginal clans that lived in Victoria for at least 40,000 years. The Wurundjeri people lived all along the Yarra River from the river flats to its source and around the Mount Baw Baw regions. They inhabited the northern slopes of the Dandenongs and the area of Gardiners Creek that originates in the Blackburn district. Food was readily available around the Blackburn Lake Sanctuary because of the watercourse and the plants that grew nearby. Therefore, the Wurundjeri people did not need to venture too far away from their campsites. The word Wurundjeri was originally spelt Wurunjeri. This meant the Witchetty Grub People. Wurun is the river white gum often found along the Yarra and jerri is the grub that lived in that tree.'
Since the Dreamtime, Wurundjeri history has been passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth. Many of the stories have been lost or have faded due to the devastating effects of white settlement on the Indigenous population such as the introduction of disease, poor diet and the forced removal of people from their traditional lands and family in conjunction with the dismantling of traditional culture and language.
Despite these major cultural, social and environmental changes, Wurundjeri traditions and culture continue to grow in the City of Whitehorse. The ongoing connection between the Wurundjeri people and their land is reflected in the writings of the plaque in the Nangnak Garden located at Council's Civic Centre in Nunawading.
Chance to Take Part in Reconciliation process
Council is calling for nominations for the Whitehorse Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan Advisory Committee.
Whitehorse Councillor and Committee Chairperson Bill Pemberton said the committee was looking for people with experience in working with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community or a passion for reconciliation.
“We are looking for community members with a demonstrated commitment to reconciliation who have the ability to consider and represent the views of others,” Cr Pemberton said.
Reconciliation recognises the special place and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians, values their participation and seeks to provide equal life chances for all.
“It's about helping all Australians move forward with a better understanding of the past and how the past affects the lives of Indigenous people today,” Cr Pemberton said.
The Whitehorse Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan Advisory Committee will oversee the implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan 2011-2015 and help shape the next plan for 2016 and beyond.
Committee members are required to attend four meetings a year. The meeting dates for 2012 are 5 March, 14 May, 13 August and 12 November.
Cr Pemberton said the committee was very active and had achieved many successes over the past three years.
“The committee worked to ensure that health promotion for Indigenous communities was included in the Municipal Public Health Plan and has highlighted indigenous issues through the inner east and eastern metropolitan region health promotion networks,” Cr Pemberton said.
“Other achievements include expanding the Indigenous component of Council’s art collection; incorporating Indigenous leaders, performers, artists and musicians at events such as the annual Spring Festival; providing cultural awareness training; and flying the Aboriginal flag at Council’s Civic Centre.”
If you're interested in joining the committee, please complete the forms below and email to debbie.seddon@whithorse.vic.gov.au.
WIRAC Member Position Description (321.41kB)
WIRAC Terms of Reference (262.83kB)
Whitehorse Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan 2007-2010
Council strives to meet the actions as set out in the Whitehorse Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan 2007-2010, including:
- Acknowledging the Wurundjeri as traditional owners of the land at identified Council, civic and community meetings and events
- Promoting Council services, facilities and support for the local and regional Indigenous communities
- Ensuring that the Municipal Public Health Plan incorporates health promotion for Indigenous communities and highlighting
- Indigenous issues through the inner east and eastern metropolitan region health promotion networks
- Providing work experience placements for Indigenous TAFE and university students where appropriate
- Flying the Aboriginal flag at the Council Civic Centre (Nangnak Reconciliation Garden) every day of the year and flying the Torres Strait Islander flag during Sorry Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week
- Incorporating Indigenous leaders, performers, artists and musicians at significant Council events such as the annual Spring Festival
- Continuing to expand and exhibit the Indigenous art component of Council's art collection
- Providing cultural awareness training as a regular component of Council's staff training program