MINUTES OF MEETING

Monday, 6 February 2017

Present

Ms Louise Durmush (Chair)

Ms Jo Love

Ms Lauren Phillips

Ms Megan Ridgeway

Ms Samantha Knight - Gifford

Aunty Annette Webb

Ms Brooke Joy

Ms Sarah Bilbao

Ms Kellie Sale

Mr David Tuxford (Director Community and Culture)

Mr Scott Andrew (Manager Community and Cultural Development)

Mr Nicolas Best (Coordinator Community Development)

Ms Jamal Bassam (Multicultural and Indigenous Development Officer)

Apologies

Mr David Linden

Ms Leanne Trindall

Ms Tracie McNally

Disclosure of Interest

There were no disclosures of interest made.

Opening

Ms Louise Durmush opened the meeting with Acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land on which the meeting was being held as the Biddegal people and paid respect to Aboriginal Elders past and present.

Amendment from Previous Minutes

Ms Kathryn Landsberry was in attendance at the meeting held on 10 October 2016.

Agenda

AAC001-17 Welcome to Country & Acknowledgment of Country

(Report by Multicultural and Indigenous Development Officer, Jamal Bassam)

Recommendation

(a) That information on 'Smoking Ceremony' protocols is added to the draft document that is to provide guidance to Georges River Council staff on when and how to organise a 'Welcome to Country' or 'Acknowledgment of Country'.

(b) That the document with the additional information is presented at the Aboriginal Advisory Committee in May for endorsement.

AAC002-17 Museum New Project

(Report by Multicultural and Indigenous Development Officer, Jamal Bassam)

Recommendation

(a) That the Committee supports the possum skin cloaks photographic exhibition which is currently on display at the Hurstville Museum as it provides significant Aboriginal cultural content.

AAC003-17 Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference (LGAN)

(Report by Multicultural and Indigenous Development Officer, Jamal Bassam)

Recommendation

(a) That Georges River Council supports the attendance of a staff member and a community member of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee to the next Local Government Aboriginal Network Conference.

(b) That the Committee presents a paper or organises a workshop for the Conference about a successful community development project by Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee relevant to the 2017 conference theme.

AAC004-17 Reconciliation Week

(Report by Multicultural and Indigenous Development Officer, Jamal Bassam)

Recommendation

(a) That Council continues to mark Reconciliation Week locally during National Reconciliation Week to improve reconciliation outcomes for Aboriginal people.

(b) That the Committee provides advice on guest speakers, guest list and on the general administration of the program to Ms Jamal Bassam by the end of March.

AAC005-17 Feedback on 2016 NAIDOC Week Program

(Report by Multicultural and Indigenous Development Officer, Jamal Bassam

Recommendation

(a) That the Committee commends Council on its National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week 2016 program, as the numerous events were well received by the Aboriginal and wider community.

(b) That the Committee members play a significant role in delivering of the 2017 NAIDOC Week program.

(c) That the Committee supports Council with a grant application to the Commonwealth Government to assist with the funding of the 2017 NAIDOC Week program.

(d) That Committee members share the task of the 'Master of Ceremony' at the 2017 NAIDOC Week official opening ceremony.

Conclusion

The meeting closed at 2.10pm

Chairperson