June 2019 - June 2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan Toni Barsby – Aboriginal Artist Noelene Holten – Aboriginal Artist

Toni Maree Barsby is a proud Yuin nation woman from the Wodi tribe who now lives in Revesby. Mrs Noelene Anne Holten is of the -Dunaghuti people, which is on the mid-north coast. She Barsby has been a traditional Aboriginal dancer since she was in high school dancing for a few dance now lives in Mount Lewis in the Canterbury-Bankstown area. Aunty Noelene says that “Sharing our companies. She also has a clothing line called Life’s Deadly, and is an Indigenous artist, who has been knowledge, culture and stories of my people is something I strongly believe in. Being a Koori artist in a painting since she was a young girl. Mrs Barsby has created murals in primary schools and has been very diverse city, sharing our stories amongst different nationalities is a gesture of peace and harmony so teaching Indigenous art to young people to keep the culture alive. teaching our art throughout Canterbury-Bankstown is a rewarding experience.” She has been involved in many projects, painting murals, showcasing Aboriginal art, and helping upcoming young artists explore their culture. Her most rewarding experience was when she was involved in rebuilding the Greenacre Community Centre by creating the Welcome Walls. Recently, she has been invited to work on another mural in Greenacre for a children’s centre. She has also been busy running art workshops for seniors, newly arrived migrants and her own community members, especially during NAIDOC Week and other special days throughout the year.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Contents

Acknowledgement ...... 1

1. Our vision for reconciliation ...... 2

2. Our business ...... 3

3. What is a RAP...... 5 Getting to Know your Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities ...... 5

4. Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan...... 6 Relationships ...... 8 Respect...... 10 Opportunities ...... 12 Governance, Tracking Progress and Reporting...... 14

5. Contacts...... 15

The City of Canterbury Bankstown acknowledges the traditional country of the Darug (Darag, Dharug, Daruk and Dharuk) and the Eora peoples.

We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living today.

Council also acknowledges other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language groups in the City and works closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to reconciliation in the City.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2023 51 Our vision for 01 reconciliation 02 Our business

The City of Canterbury Bankstown values its Council will promote its support of Located in the Greater Western , culturally diverse community and is committed reconciliation to increase public awareness Canterbury-Bankstown comprises an area of 72 to extending the process of reconciliation in and understanding of the reconciliation square kilometers (28 sq mi) and, as at the 2016 partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait process and, in particular, to ensure that the census, had a population of 346,302, making Islander communities. mainstream community is aware of the cultures it the most populous local government area in and legitimate aspirations of Aboriginal and Sydney. Canterbury-Bankstown has 15 elected Our vision for reconciliation is to create a Torres Strait Islander communities. Council is councillors, three in each of the five wards, and strong, harmonious and richer community by committed to providing relevant community 58 office sites. encouraging our Aboriginal and Torres Strait services and assistance to Aboriginal and Islander residents to share their heritage and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As of our 2016 census, we currently have 2548 culture with people from other cultures to residents of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ensure all of our different traditions, customs Council acknowledges the prior occupation of background living within the LGA. We employ and stories are valued. this land by the Darug and the Eora peoples and 1435 staff, including five employees who identify will seek opportunities to recognise Aboriginal as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Council will seek the advice and participation of and Torres Strait Islander heritage through Currently, Council is the process of investigating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities physical features of the City and by supporting further opportunities through Human Resources on key issues of interest to the community. It will community cultural activities. to capture data around our Aboriginal and Torres also promote cooperative approaches on these Strait Islander workforce. issues between itself and the Aboriginal and Council will work with the Aboriginal and Torres Torres Strait Islander community. Strait Islander community to celebrate important The City of Canterbury Bankstown operates occasions and events linked to significant sites in under the NSW Local Government Act and Council will enter into a process of negotiation the City of Canterbury Bankstown. other relevant legislation. In all services, to seek and record the views of local Aboriginal Council seeks to respond to changing and Torres Strait Islander communities about community needs. Regular community surveys reconciliation and other key issues. are undertaken to check levels of satisfaction and identify areas for improvement, and annual social planning workshops are conducted to monitor changing community needs.

Council also operates and provides a number of facilities and services on a fee for service basis. These provide important community benefits while also generating revenue for services and projects of benefit to the City.

2 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 3 03 What is a RAP?

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a strategic They assist Council to deliver annual National document that supports an organisation’s Sorry Day, National Reconciliation Week business plan. It includes practical actions and NAIDOC Week commemorations and that will drive an organisation’s contribution celebrations. We work closely with our to reconciliation both internally and in the Communications Team to promote all initiatives communities in which it operates. through social media, newspaper articles, local community networks and Aboriginal and Torres The RAP Program contributes to advancing Strait Islander agencies. An Acknowledgment the five dimensions of reconciliation of Country or Welcome to Country is by supporting organisations to develop delivered at all Council events or functions respectful relationships and create meaningful and Acknowledgement of Country appears opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait on our website, Facebook page and printed Islander peoples. documents. Council also produced its own large National Reconciliation Week banners A snapshot in time of our RAP journey with artwork from local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and those banners have The former Bankstown City Council been displayed in all of our libraries, local pools developed its first RAP in 2011, with the and customer service centres annually during guidance of Reconciliation , which National Reconciliation Week. was endorsed in 2012. Bankstown was the first council in the country to develop a plan that was lead by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Working Party.

Council has a long history of partnership with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and agencies that support their shared journey including:

•• Bankstown Community Resource Group;

•• Bankstown Youth Development Services;

•• Department of Human Services Centrelink;

•• Sydney South West Area Health Services;

•• Family and Community Services;

•• Youth off the Streets;

•• Metro Assist; and

•• Local NDIS providers.

4 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2023 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 5 Innovate Reconciliation 04 Action Plan

The 2019-2021 City of Canterbury-Bankstown Individual initiatives such as Council’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan consolidates Reconciliation Vision Statement, Council’s long-standing commitment to Aboriginal Protocols and National Sorry reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Day Acknowledgment were developed Islander communities. Council’s reconciliation collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres initiatives have been combined into a single Strait Islander groups and organisations prior plan using Reconciliation Australia’s Innovate to the development of the 2019-2021 Innovate RAP template. Reconciliation Action Plan.

The City of Canterbury Bankstown 2019-2021 Council continues to develop a stronger Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan has been relationship with our Aboriginal and Torres developed in consultation with Council’s Strait Islander communities, working towards Reconciliation Working Party. This working party an equitable and reconciled Australia. has recommended that Council endorse the City The Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan of Canterbury Bankstown Innovate Reconciliation was needed to formalise our engagement Action Plan and its registration with with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Australia. Members of the working communities that is centred on specific shared party include the Mayor, Councilllor Linda Eisler, goals and targets. That engagement required Council’s Community Planning and Development monitoring of the implementation of the staff, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific targets and advice and feedback on community members and representatives from achieving such goals. the Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation Division (Department of Premier and Cabinet).

Council’s Reconciliation Champions include our Mayor and Council staff. Particular staff who will be driving internal engagement and awareness of the RAP include Manager of Community and Cultural Services, Garry Starr and Diversity Officers, Joanna Stobinski and Turkan Aksoy.

6 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2023 11 Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility Relationships Ensure the inclusion of Hold annual Social Planning February Diversity Officer Aboriginal and Torres workshops with Aboriginal 2020,21 Meaningful community relationships assist Council to respond to the aspirations of local Aboriginal Strait Islander community and Torres Strait Islander and Torres Strait Islander peoples. As the local area is made up of diverse communities who are actively representatives in annual social community members seeking to learn, connect and engage with our First Peoples, Council needs to promote recognition and planning workshops to attain respect towards the First Peoples of Canterbury-Bankstown current trends and emerging Promote Council funding July 2019, 2020 Communication Officer issues rounds to Aboriginal and Recognition and respect are the main ingredients of reconciliation and those qualities improve Torres Strait Islander relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians, creating Communities opportunities to share the pride of being Australian and a sense of what it means to live in a country with Record participation and February Diversity Officer such a long and rich history of more than 60,000 years. feedback of Aboriginal 2020,21 and Torres Strait Islander The Canterbury-Bankstown LGA is now home to people from all over the world as well as our Traditional community members at our Owners of the land. It is this sharing of cultures that makes reconciliation real and builds relationships Social Planning workshops based on trust and integrity that are vital to meaningful engagement and a sustained relationship between Council, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other communities.

Focus area: Develop and maintain mutually Seek representatives of two June 2019,20,21 Diversity Officer beneficial relationships with NSW Aboriginal Land Councils Administration Officer, Relationship building with the Traditional Custodians of the land and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Aboriginal and Torres Strait and relevant government Governance Islander residents in our LGA. Islander peoples, communities Departments to attend and organisations to support quarterly Reference Group positive outcomes meetings.

Incorporate local Aboriginal June 2019,2020 Diversity Officer and Torres Strait Islander Communication Officer Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility agencies such as Bankstown Director Bankstown Arts Elders Inc and Bankstown Koori Centre Elders in current Aboriginal and Reconciliation Working Party Reconciliation Working June , Diversity Officer Coordinator Libraries actively monitors Reconciliation Party to meet twice December Human Resources Manager Torres Strait Islander initiatives, events and projects such as Action Plan development and annually 2019, 2020 Manager Community and NAIDOC Week and National implementation of actions, Cultural Services tracking progress and reporting Sorry Day initiatives Manager Communication Procurement Manager Meet with local Aboriginal September Diversity Officer and Torres Strait Islander 2019 Maintain at least 3 June 2019,2020 Manager Community and organisations to develop Aboriginal and Torres Cultural Services guiding principles for future Strait Islander community Manager Governance engagement members on the Diversity Officer Reconciliation Working Party Develop and implement an December Diversity Officer engagement plan to work 2019 with our Aboriginal and Torres Establish Terms of June 2019 Diversity Officer Strait Islander stakeholders Reference for the Human Resources Manager Reconciliation Working Manager Community and Party Cultural Services Raise internal and external Develop and implement a June 2019 Communications Officer Manager Communication awareness of our RAP to strategy to communicate Talent Officer Procurement Manager promote reconciliation across our RAP to all internal and Diversity Officer our business and sector. external stakeholders Reconciliation Working June 2019 Manager Community and Party oversees the Cultural Services Promote reconciliation June 2019 Communications Officer development, endorsement Manager Governance through ongoing Talent Officer and launch of the RAP Diversity Officer engagement with all Diversity Officer stakeholders

8 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 9 Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Celebrate and participate in Organise at least one May 2020,21 Diversity Officer National Reconciliation Week internal event for National by providing opportunities to Reconciliation Week yearly build and maintain relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Register all National May 2020,21 Diversity Officer Strait Islander peoples and Reconciliation Week each other Australians events via Reconciliation Australia’s National Reconciliation Week website

Support an external National May 2020,21 Diversity Officer Reconciliation Week each year

Ensure our Reconciliation May 2020, 2021 Diversity Officer Working Party participates in an external event to recognise and celebrate National Reconciliation Week

9 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 10 Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Respect Engage employees in Develop, implement and December Manager Human Resources understanding the significance communicate a cultural 2019 Diversity Officer Respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and place are important to Council. of Aboriginal and Torres Strait protocol document for Recognising the continuing, valuable contribution they make creates a respectful and inclusive environment. Islander cultural protocols, Welcome to Country and such as Welcome to Country Acknowledgement of Country and Acknowledgement of Focus area: Country, to ensure there is a Develop a list of key contacts for December Diversity Officer shared meaning. organising a Welcome to Country 2019 Acknowledging the Traditional Owners of the land, participation in Council programs, events and and maintaining respectful planning, and cultural awareness training. partnerships

Invite a Traditional Owner to July 2019,20 Diversity Officer provide a Welcome to Country at significant events, including Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility NAIDOC Week

Include an Acknowledgement of December Communication Manager Engage Council staff in Develop and implement June 2020 Talent Officer Country at the commencement of 2019,20 continuous cultural learning an Aboriginal and Torres Human Resources Officer all important internal and external opportunities to increase Strait Islander cultural Communication Officer events understanding and appreciation awareness training strategy Diversity Officer of Aboriginal and Torres Strait for our staff which defines Encourage staff to include an December Communication Manager Islander cultures, histories and cultural learning needs Acknowledgement of Country 2019 Manager Community and achievements. of employees in all areas at the commencement of all Cultural Services of our business and meetings. considers various ways cultural learning can be Implement existing protocols July 2020 Communication Manager provided (online, face to on Acknowledgement of Manager Library and face workshops or cultural Country at Council meetings, Community Services immersion) Council webpage and in social media Investigate opportunities to December Diversity Officer work with local Traditional 2019 Talent Officer Provide opportunities for Review HR policies and June 2019, Human Resources Officer Owners and/or Aboriginal Communication Officer Aboriginal and Torres Strait procedures to ensure there are 20, 21 Diversity Officer and Torres Strait Islander Islander staff to engage with no barriers to staff participating consultants to develop / their cultures and communities in NAIDOC Week deliver cultural awareness by celebrating NAIDOC Week training Provide opportunities for all July 2019, Diversity Officer Aboriginal and Torres Strait 2020 Communication Manager Provide opportunities for July 2020 Human Resources Officer Islander staff to participate with Manager Community and Reconciliation Working Talent Officer their cultures and communities Cultural Services Party members, RAP Diversity Officer during NAIDOC Week Champions, HR managers and other key leadership Recognise and celebrate Seek Attendance by the Mayor June Manager Community staff to participate in Aboriginal and Torres Strait and Councillors at Aboriginal and 2019,20,21 Cultural Services cultural training. Islander dates of significance Torres Strait Islander festivals Diversity Officer and events including: Sorry Communications Officer Day; National Reconciliation Offer cultural awareness June 2021 Diversity Officer Week and NAIDOC Week, at training to Council staff Manager Community and the invitation of Aboriginal across all departments Cultural Services and Torres Strait Islander Manager Communications Communities. Manager Human Resources Add Aboriginal and Torres Strait December Manager Community Islander dates of significance to 2019 Cultural Services council calendars Diversity Officer Communications Officer

Promote local community events June Manager Community recognising these dates of 2019,20,21 Cultural Services significance Diversity Officer Communications Officer

11 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 12 Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility

Opportunities Investigate opportunities Review and update July 2020 Team Leader Procurement to incorporate Aboriginal procurement policies and Providing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities assists Council in its goal and Torres Strait Islander procedures to ensure there are of being a culturally vibrant City. Council aims to work towards providing opportunities for the wider supplier diversity within our no barriers for procuring goods community to participate in initiatives and direction as to support a commitment to reconciliation. Council organisation. and services from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recognises the rich heritage and knowledge of our First Peoples who can lead our journey to a thriving City. businesses

Focus area: Develop and communicate to September Team Leader Procurement staff a list of Aboriginal and 2019 Communication Officer Increasing the employment and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at the Council, Torres Strait Islander businesses supporting community groups and organisations and working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander that can be used to procure goods and services communities to increase cultural visibility in the City. Develop at least one September Diversity Officer commercial relationship with an 2019 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander owned business Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility Investigate Supply Nation June 2020 Team Leader Procurement Investigate opportunities to Collect information on July 2020 Manager Human Resources membership Manager Community and improve and increase Aboriginal our current Aboriginal Cultural Services and Torres Strait Islander and Torres Strait Islander employment outcomes within staff to inform future Improve Council’s Recreation Incorporate traditional July 2020 Manager Leisure and our workplace employment opportunities Services engagement to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Recreation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander games into the Annual Islander community members Recreation Expo. Review HR and recruitment July 2020 Manager Human Resources procedures and policies to ensure there are no Work with local schools and Seek out local schools to take June Diversity Officer barriers to Aboriginal early learning centres to part in our events such as 2019,20,21 and Torres Strait Islander promote reconciliation National Sorry Day and NAIDOC employees and future Week applicants participating in Encourage schools and early December Diversity Officer our workplace learning centres to engage with 2020 Manager Children’s the Narragunnawali program Services Develop and implement an July 2020 Manager Human Resources Child and Families Officer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Retention Strategy

Engage with existing December Manager Human Resources Aboriginal and Torres Strait 2020 Islander staff to consult on employment strategies, including professional development

Advertise all vacancies in July 2020 Manager Human Resources Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander media

Investigate employment July 2020 Manager Human Resources Pathways such as internships or traineeships

Promote Aboriginal and June 2020 Director Community Torres Strait Islander Services leadership within Council.

13 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 14 Governance, Tracking Progress and Reporting 05 Contacts

Action Deliverable Timeline Responsibility Turkan Aksoy and Joanna Stobinski can be contacted regarding public enquiries on the Report RAP achievements, Complete and submit the September Diversity Officer challenges and learnings to RAP Impact Measurement 2019, 2020 2019-2021 Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan Reconciliation Australia Questionnaire to Reconciliation Australia Turkan Aksoy annually Diversity Officer T: 02 9707 9863 Investigate participating in May 2020 Diversity Officer the RAP Barometer E: [email protected]

Define resource needs August 2019 Diversity Officer Joanna Stobinski for RAP development and Diversity Officer implementation T: 02 9789 9472 E: [email protected] Define capability needs to September Diversity Officer track, measure and report 2019 on RAP activities

Develop an evaluation June 2020 Communications Officer framework to track, measure and report on RAP activities

Report RAP achievements, Report our RAP September Diversity Officer challenges and learnings achievements, challenges 2020 Manager Communications internally and externally and learnings through staff newsletter, intranet and The City of Canterbury Bankstown would like to sincerely email thank everyone involved in this reconciliation process for their Communicate RAP June 2019,20, Communications Officer achievements, challenges 21 demonstrated commitment. and learnings externally through our website

Review, refresh and update RAP Liaise with Reconciliation December Diversity Officer Australia to develop 2020 a new RAP based on learnings, challenges and achievements

Send draft RAP to January 2021 Diversity Officer Reconciliation Australia for review and feedback

Submit draft RAP to May 2021 Diversity Officer Reconciliation Australia for formal endorsement.

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