2016 ANNUAL REPORT

Working towards just & respectful relationships between Aboriginal & Non-Aboriginal people March 2016) Daniel Carter|Project Officer (until (until March 2016) IProject Emily ChauvelByrne Facilitator Coordinator (untilJune2016) Deb Chapman|AssistingStatewide Damian O’KeefeIProject Officer Aileen Traynor |Progam Manager Erin McKinnonIStatewideCoordinator Staff Stephanie Armstrong Frank O'Connor Greg Kennedy John Smith Peter Lewis Kathleen Travis Melissa Brickell3/5 John Baxter4/5 4/5 Clark Vicki John Farlow(Treasurer)4/5 Michelle Isles(Secretary) 5/5 Keith Gove (Co-Chair) 5/5 Belinda Duarte(Co-Chair)3/3 Council Council andStaff NRW2016. cultural practicesin BunjilReserve”during Emu DanceatNillumbik’s “RestoringIndigenous Cover image(Top) DjirriDancersteaching ABOUT

www.reconciliationvic.org.au US advocacy. together onissuesofjoint and ideasworking Network, sharinginformation the AustralianReconciliation and ReconciliationAustraliaas State ReconciliationCouncils and alsocooperatewithother Local ReconciliationGroups peoples. and Torres StraitIslander justice forandwithAboriginal understanding, respect and point foradvancingdeeper reconciliation andactasafocal the statewidebodypromoting Aboriginal Co-Chair. We are Aboriginal Co-Chairandanon- Aboriginal memberswithan Council ofAboriginalandnon- bya organisation, governed reconciliation. the unfinishedbusinessof tocontinue in , result ofapeople’s movement association in2002,asa established asanincorporated was Reconciliation Victoria 3/5 We supportanetworkof27 We are abi-cultural (since May 2016) (sinceMay2016) 0/1 (retired Oct’15)0/2 (retired Oct ’15) 2/2 (retired Oct’15) (retired Oct’15)1/2 Meetings Attended 3/5 2 Co-Chairs Belinda Duarte organisation duringtheirtimeon Councilandcontinuetosupportourwork. Council atlastyear’s AGM.Frank,Steff andGreg madeavaluable contributiontothe members StephanieArmstrong, FrankO’ConnorandGreg Kennedywhostepped off valuable memberofCouncil.We’d alsoliketothankand acknowledge formerCouncil Clark, whohandedovertherole toBelindaDuarteatour lastAGMandremains a We’d liketoacknowledgethesignificantcontributionofourprevious Vicki Co-Chair Australians. relationships betweenAboriginalandTorres StraitIslanderpeoplesandother understanding, challengeprejudice, andcontributetocreating justandrespectful actions withinourfamilies,communitiesandworkplacesthat build awareness and and everyoneofustoactivelycommitparticipateinconversations and with renewed vigour, courageandcommitment.Itistheresponsibility ofeach Reconciliation isachallengingjourney, butone we mustcontinuetogether increasing ourengagementwiththeeducationsectorincomingyears. Weclosely witharangeofsectors,inparticularlocalgovernment. lookforward to supportingwhatisathrivinggrassrootsagenda inVictoria, movementandworking hascontinuedtoprovideReconciliation Victoria leadershiponthereconciliation Strait Islandercommunity. agreed modelforchangemust havewidespread supportintheAboriginalandTorres It isimportantthatthistimespentengagingwiththeAboriginalcommunity, asany The nationalconstitutionalreform agendacontinuestospurconversationanddebate. meaningful agreements and are-setting oftherelationship withAboriginalVictorians. determination. We lookforward totheselong-awaitedconversationsleading Government’sand encouragedbytheVictorian commitmenttoTreaty andself- We are inspired bythestrength andresilience ofAboriginalcommunitiesinVictoria, approach. an opportunitytorevisit and betterarticulateourpurposeandvisionre-think our framework andbyour2015EvaluationHistoryProject. Thiswillprovide uswith commencedaStrategicPlanningprocessRecVic thisyearinformedby sectors ofthecommunitytoassessprogress andprioritiesforareconciled . These interrelated dimensions provideandall avaluableframeworkforgovernments equity, institutionalintegrity, unityandhistoricalacceptance. to identifyfivekeydimensionsof reconciliation -racerelations, equalityand comparativeresearchinternational intoreconciliation experiencesinseveralcountries anticipated outcomes,givinguscauseforare-think. TheReportdrawson The focuson‘practicalreconciliation’ and‘closingthegap’hasnotachieved the communityandinmanyinstitutionsthatwemustcontinuetochallenge. has beenstunted.Entrenched viewsandprejudices remain insomepartsof process wehavetakensomesignificantstepsalongthejourney, butprogress us thatagenerationonfrom thecommencementofformalreconciliation of ReconciliationReportreleased byReconciliationAustraliainFebruary, shows 2015/2016 hasbeenyearofreflection fortheReconciliationMovement.TheState

A MESSAGEFROMOURCO-CHAIRS Keith Gove “ Reconciliation Movement. for the reflection ayear of hasbeen 2015/2016

” HIGHLIGHTS Forum COMMUNITY LRG ENGAGEMENT Co-Chair Councilas Joins RecVic Belinda Duarte Mission At BudjBimandLake Reconciliation Forum 1st ResidentialRegional an ongoingway. something thatisnow happening throughoutthe yearin that reconciliationisnotaonce-a-year occasionbut non-Aboriginal peopledevelopedovertime,showing and meaningful relationshipsbetweenAboriginaland Many ofthesemovingeventsreflectedgenuine . Murrumbeena, Ballarat,Melton,FawknerandSouth Tyabb, Shepparton, ,Castlemaine,Bendigo, small grants,incommunitiessuchas PantonHill, week, includingtenforwhichwewere abletocontribute volunteers were involvedin 45eventsthroughout the staff,Reconciliation Victoria Councilmembersand working andwalkingtogether. and Torres StraitIslanderpeopleandcelebrate to go,celebratetheculture andtalentsof Aboriginal process began25years ago andhowfarwestillhave what haschangedsincetheformalreconciliation past injusticesandtheirongoingimpacts,reflect on of thecommunitycometogethertoacknowledge Aboriginal peopleacross allgenerationsandsectors TheseeventssawAboriginalandnon- Victoria. was woventhrough themore than100eventsaround way. Thetheme: “OurHistory, OurStory, OurFuture”, that amore justandreconciled Australiaisonits 2016 leftusfeelingreflective, inspired andhopeful Sorry DayandNationalReconciliationWeek (NRW) Reconciliation working together and Aboriginalcommunities support localgovernment A websiteresource to Launch ofMaggolee

National

2016

Reconciliation Award Recieves Whittlesea Clark Council MemberVicki Week inception in2002 since theorganisation’s rich institutionalhistory collatingour student intern Undertaken byavolunteer Reconciliation Victoria A HistoryProject of PHOTOS: Barbara Oehring conducts Welcome toCountryatthisyear’s Award HART ceremony Co-Chair KeithGovelooksonasAuntyJoyMurphy PHOTO (Left):RecVic Award AboriginalCooperativecelebratetheirHART win. PHOTO (Above):MembersofGeelong One Fire ReconciliationGroup and reconciliation locally. well donetoallthenomineesworkingprogress on ourwebsite.Congratulationstothewinnersand Read more Awards abouttheHART andthefinalists local communityinitiativesinsupportofreconciliation. Corporation alsoreceived special commendationfortheir the CityofWhittleseaandWandoon EstateAboriginal categoriesand Community andLocalGovernment Twelve nomineeswere selectedasfinalistsacross the Yarra: ATeachers’ Resource’, tookoutthehonours. City ofYarra’s ‘ConnectingwiththeAboriginalHistoryof Aboriginal Co-operative’s ‘ReconciliationinthePark’,and This year, Geelong OneFire andtheWathaurong Aboriginal andnon-Aboriginalpeopleworkingtogether. highlighting someofthebestdemonstrations AwardsHART (Helping AchieveReconciliation Together), On MaboDay, wepresented the2016Community

Community Community HART

3 Annual Report2015- 2016 Awards For Finance&Governance Improvement Systems Internal And keepsournetworksinformed Treaty talks welcomesVictorian RecVic On website&socialmedia Increasing audience Spotlight On Schools

“The students have Datiwuy Dreaming at Dandenong South Primary School developed a greater and During NRW 2016 Reconciliation Victoria supported Dandenong South PS to engage performers from genuine understanding NAISDA to perform Creation Stories from North-East Arnhem Land as part of a week long program to of the history and increase the school community’s knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and history, and to background of Aboriginal enhance social cohesion within the wider community. culture. As knowledge brings relationships, Members of the local Aboriginal community, including Koorie students from surrounding schools and this is hoped to build their families, were also invited to participate. One of the outcomes was a strengthening of relationships care and reconciliation within the Koorie student population and a deepening of their understanding of their own culture. between our Koorie Prior to the three concerts teachers at the school taught the songs and dances to enable the students students and the other to fully participate in the performance. Students were also taught some historical and cultural multicultural students of background to the dances, and during the week following, teachers followed up with discussions about our school”. their meaning and significance. Christina Engel, teacher. PHOTO (Above): Dancers from NAISDA teaching Dandenong South Primary students how to be a crocodile (baru)

Dandenong & Casey Reconciliation in Early Childhood Forum

In 2016 stakeholders involved in the early childhood sector in Dandenong and Casey formed a diverse partnership to deliver a forum highlighting the need for reconciliation in the early years, and to build the capacity of staff in the early childhood sector to engage and provide culturally safe services.

The event provided a safe space for people to come together to share stories, build connections, hear key messages about reconciliation, identify the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities and develop actions that could be implemented within the contexts of the health service delivery and educational environments. Forum attendees are now working on developing Reconciliation Action Plans in each organisation.

Echuca Football/Netball Reconciliation Games

Around 900 students from 11 local schools took part in the annual Echuca Football/Netball Reconciliation Games in September 2015. In its fifth year, the event has grown from six schools and only 450 children. According to the organiser Koori Engagement Support Officer Paul Clarke, “this is an extremely important part of reconciling and getting Indigenous people together in a sporting environment where they can all participate together and have fun. Around 1200 people attended on the day. As well as the football and netball games, culminating in the play-off for the Reconciliation Cup, the day included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, a performance by Echuca’s Aboriginal dance group, cultural workshops, coaching clinics by AFL and Netball Australia players, a traditional basket weaving display and an Elders’ morning tea. The event was supported by Reconciliation Victoria.

PHOTO (Above): Isaiah Firebrace and local dance group perform at opening ceremony to Echuca's Football/Netball Reconciliation Carnival

www.reconciliationvic.org.au 4 Camberwell Grammar School Healing Circle for Reconciliation

The ‘Healing Circle for Reconciliation’ Ceremony and Group Workshop process is co-facilitated by non- Aboriginal musician and educator Sarah Hopkins and Wamba Wamba cultural educator and musician Ron Murray. Taking place during the School’s Indigenous Studies Week, the 80 minute Healing Circle for Avila College FIRE Carrier School Reconciliation Ceremony/Group Workshop process included music, This year, Avila College, a FIRE Carrier school, hosted the 2016 Fire Carrier Conference. narration, visual symbols and a The FIRE Carriers (Friends Igniting Reconciliation through Education) Project seeks to Sorry Ceremony … a deeply moving keep the Reconciliation flame alight in schools, educating the wider community about workshop. Reconciliation and our shared history. FIRE Carriers are elected annually in participating schools, in the same manner as other school representatives. The FIRE Carrier accepts the title in a special fire ceremony and joins the schools Reconciliation Covenant PHOTO (Above Left): Wantirna South Primary School students proudly display their Bunjil Planning Group. puppets at City of Knox's Sorry Day event

Presence Online We continue to strengthen our communication with the broader community, including building our online presence.

eNews 1640

During the past year we have produced twelve monthly eNews 1600 bulletins, providing the latest news about our work and what's 1200 happening in the reconciliation space. Our eNews also promotes the growing number of events around the state – including concerts, 2014 2015 2016 forums, exhibitions, lectures, festivals, tours, etc.

The eNews now reaches a readership of 1,640, many of whom

forward it to their own distribution lists.

27,162 19,650 Website Visits 17,000 We also maintained a regularly updated website and Facebook and Twitter accounts. Our website experienced an increase of over 38% 2014 2015 2016 visits on last year. Our Facebook activity also experienced significant growth – our Page 'reach' jumped from 65,583 to 133,043 over the year.

Facebook

Likes Annual Reach

23, 188 65, 583 133, 043 355 621 902 2014 2015 2016 2014 2015 2016

5 Annual Report 2015 - 2016 LOCAL GROUP ROUND UP A selection of stories from the Local Reconciliation Group network

Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group Stonnington Reconciliation g. P rin H O eh TO: Barbara O SRRG’s annual Apology Breakfast held in the The group changed its name from Stonnington Citizens for Queens Gardens, this year addressed by Reconciliation to Reconciliation Stonnington, to better reflect Uncle Paul Briggs, continues to grow from our role. year-to-year. Paul challenged us all to During the past twelve months the group continued its learn more about our local Aboriginal focus on education. At our 2015 AGM, group members and community history so we can all work Stonnington pre-school educators, Jenny Goldsmith and Maree to ensure the unique culture is not lost. Sheehan spoke, about the inclusion of Aboriginal culture in Our annual Sorry Day commemoration their curriculum. held at La Trobe University’s Shepparton At another well-attended event the Stonnington Council Campus was a moving acknowledgement presented to local teachers the Stonnington Aboriginal History of the ongoing impacts of the forcible removal Curriculum, developed in partnership with the group, and it of children. Guest speaker Daryl Sloan spoke continues to promote the project’s implementation with local passionately about his experiences as a member of the Stolen schools. Generations and students from all the local secondary schools Council also ran a very successful NRW Art Exhibition by and ASHE actively participated in the commemoration. students from Prahran Community Learning Centre.

During NAIDOC Week we partnered on a special public event with the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM). Indigenous Curatorial Assistant Belinda Briggs and curators Anna Briers and Lilian Yong shared their insights into some of the gems from SAM’s Citizens Indigenous collection. for Reconciliation We are excited about the involvement of young people at our Highlights: events as it helps our future generations share an understanding of the painful history of white settlement of this country whilst at - Attracted a record crowd of more than the same time helping forge a path to greater unity. 100 people including Elders, Mayor and Councillors, to our annual Sorry Day Lunch; PHOTO: Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group’s annual Sorry Day commemoration. - Reached hundreds of primary and secondary students through engaging cultural providers to Reconciliation go into government schools and day care centres Manningham within the City of Port Phillip (COPP); - Produced a newsletter, Mungo, 11 times per year, circulating to around 3,500 people; In the past year Reconciliation Manningham has conducted a total of 54 walks, talks and lectures to schools and - Organised the 2016 Reconciliation Writing competition community groups. A number of the walks through historic focussing on building bridges between the Aboriginal and and significant sites in Manningham were conducted with non-Aboriginal community with support from COPP and local Elders. businesses; Group member Jim Poulter, in consultation with Wurundjeri - Attended Council’s NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week flag Elders, also produced three new publications: “The Eight raising and related events; Wurundjeri Seasons in Melbourne”, “Batman’s ‘Treaty’ –The - Hosted stalls at local festivals and events; True Story” and “The Dust of - Contributed news items about our activities to RecVic, ANTaR, the Mindye”. Read more COPP’s Divercity Magazine and local newspapers; on the group’s website. - Nominated local elder Judith Jackson for the 2016 Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll; PHOTO (Left): - Supported COPP’s activities under the Mandy Nicholson guidance of Indigenous Policy Officer Todd and the Djirri Djirri Dancers with Condie, including their first RAP, now artist Patrice Mahoney at City ratified and 2nd one currently being of Manningham’s developed. NRW 2016 Launch PHOTO (Centre): Reconciliation Stonnington's Ro Bailey was honoured to be invited by

Maree Clarke to help on this Aboriginal artist possum skin cloak project

www.reconciliationvic.org.au 6 LOCAL GROUP ROUND UP Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group Over the past couple of years our membership has slowly increased, and member diversity improved. Perhaps this is a sign of increased interest in reconciliation, plus our improved profile locally through our website and collaboration with Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative on a few projects. This year we have an all-female Committee! g. P rin HO eh TO: Barbara O Awards that recognise genuine community-led activities that build relationships for reconciliation are treasured. We were thrilled to win (with Wathaurong Aboriginal Co- operative) RecVic’s Community HART Award 2016. Our strong group of participating organisations and funders plus sponsors are making plans for our 8th Reconciliation in the Park event in 2017 with increased confidence and enthusiasm. Having upgraded the www.djillong.net.au website this year, a DVD about the Djillong region is now in production. It will include infor- mation about local Traditional Owners and cultural heritage. We are looking into how best to utilise the website and DVD, alongside The Storyteller game, for local education and cultural competency training. GOFRG also supported the objections of Traditional Owners and Elders to Telstra’s plans to erect a tower adjacent to Aboriginal graves in the local cemetery. PHOTO (Right): Geelong’s Reconciliation in the Park, NRW 2016 PHOTO (Centre Top): Geelong’s Deadly Dancers were a big hit at this year’s HART Awards.

Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation partnered with Whitehorse Council, and the Blackburn Lake Committee on the ‘Bunjils fly in for Reconciliation Whitehorse Friends Whitehorse' project during NRW 2016. ‘That was the best excursion we have been on’ was the enthusiastic feedback received from many of the 70

students who made Bunjil puppets from plastic milk containers. The design by artist Renate Crow was first approved by Wurundjeri Council, and then, over two sessions, the primary school students created and decorated their Bunjils with Renate, and learned about Bunjil and Aboriginal culture from Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Bill Nicholson. The program was conducted in the Information Centre and delightful bush setting at Blackburn Lake. The Bunjils were then presented at the Council’s Sorry Day event.

Reconciliation Queenscliffe Reconciliation Mob Banyule This year was a watershed year for During our annual NRW event the haunting sounds of Reconciliation in Banyule. The work of NE Arnhem Land band East Journey played through the Reconciliation Banyule over a number of loudspeakers across the playground of Point Lonsdale Primary years to build relationships with both the School as many children and parents poured into the school to local First Peoples and Banyule City Council enjoy an afternoon of free cultural activities. (BCC) has in the last 12 months borne fruit. Children painted boomerangs made by volunteers at the During National Reconciliation Week BCC held a Queenscliff Men’s Shed; faces were painted in ochre using smoking ceremony and flag raising, held an inaugural traditional designs of the kangaroo, crow, snake and brolga; Aboriginal Art Exhibition “Nhalinggu Bagung”, conducted Cultural Didge player Lyndon Perry from Geelong’s Narana Aboriginal Walking Tours, a Wurundjeri Language Session at Ivanhoe Library, Cultural Centre, taught an eager crowd of boys to play this film screenings and a presentation by Dr Clare Land. The week ancient instrument while the girls enthusiastically clapped their closed with an afternoon of “Warrior Games”. Reconciliation clapsticks to keep the rhythm; Uncle David Tournier from the Banyule also held a screening of the film” Barbakiueria”, attended Wathaurong Co-op - our guest of honour - was presented with by more than 100 school children. Over 1300 people in total a glass plate from Wathaurong Glass in recognition for all the participated in the NRW events. Council has already started good work he has done to help further reconciliation in this planning for 2017 events. We commend BCC for their support for community. All agreed that judging by the level of enjoyment Reconciliation. and participation of the children we will continue holding this

BCC also appointed two part-time Aboriginal staff members annual event. to support and build relationships with the local Aboriginal community, an initiative that we have been encouraging We continually appreciate and which is already producing benefits. guidance and support from Reconciliation Banyule continues to hold our Reconciliation Victoria, monthly film nights and has had a tent at the plus the connections and Banyule Arty Farty and Malahang Festivals. “information sharing with the broader Victorian network of PHOTO (Left): Peter Judda Mackay, engaged LRGs.” by Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation, Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group teaching Aboriginal culture to the children at Balaclava Child Care Centre.

7 Annual Report 2015 - 2016 Castlemaine Reconciliation champions honoured

Congratulations to local Castlemaine reconciliation champions Felicity and Vic Say who received a special Nalderun Award during NRW.

The Award was presented by Mount Alexander Shire Citizen of the Year Aunty Julie McHale to groups that have played Talking Treaty pivotal roles in supporting the Constitutional local Indigenous community. & Felicity and Vic, long time ANTAR Change members, have been campaigning for Indigenous recognition and respect and sharing their wealth of knowledge about RecVic has continued to raise awareness and build Aboriginal culture and history in the local community for a understanding about the importance of treaties and quarter of a century. agreements and the proposal for constitutional change, The pair received a standing ovation in acknowledgement of recognising that both of these were recommendations their efforts and it was reported that there was not a dry eye in of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation’s “Roadmap the house as they graciously accepted their award. to Reconciliation”.

Local Reconciliation Week and Sorry Day events were The Victorian State Government made an historic coordinated by Nalderun Upper Loddon Events based at commitment to commence Treaty talks with Victoria’s Castlemaine District Community Health. The day also saw a Aboriginal community in early 2016. This is a very welcome Reconciliation Week exhibition unveiled in the Phee Broadway development and responds to long standing calls from foyer featuring a display of local Elder Uncle Rick Nelson’s Dja the Aboriginal community. It has spurred renewed calls Dja Wurrung family history. for Treaty from Aboriginal people right around the country. Uncle Rick was also recognised for his work sharing Dja Dja Amongst those appointed by the State Government to the Wurrung knowledge and promoting inclusiveness with the Aboriginal Treaty Interim Working Group is RecVic Council presentation of a traditional possum skin cloak, to symbolise member Vicki Clark. his status as local Elder. Following Aboriginal community consultations on a process PHOTO (Above): Vic and Felicity Say, with Aunty Kath Coff (Nalderun),Uncle for establishing a representative body, it is hoped that such Rick Nelson, Aunty Kerrie Douglass, Aunty Julie McHale and Meeting Place students at Castlemaine’s NRW2016 Launch. a body can be formed to commence treaty negotiations with the State Government in 2017. There remain many complexities and details to be worked through, so a meaningful and long-term commitment is critical. Aboriginal Congratulations on Victoria is leading this work on behalf of the Government. the latest newsletter. So full of the latest news, so well Effective and thoughtful communications with both the “written and so colourful and Aboriginal and mainstream communities will be crucial professional. Keep up your to building understanding and support. Meanwhile

brilliant work.” constitutional change remains on the political agenda for

Rob Oke now, with continued multi-party support on the principle but no model yet proposed. The Referendum Council is working to consult with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Our experience communities around the country to develop a model for shows the key role that Local change that has widespread support. The final model is Government can play as they have likely to address the issues of recognition and protection “a unique place and resources to from racial discrimination. make a significant improvement in making reconciliation happen. Many in the Aboriginal community in Victoria see Treaty We support the work that as the priority and there remains diverse views and Reconciliation Victoria has done in ambivalence towards the constitutional recognition agenda. this area to facilitate the process We will continue to try to be a balanced and informed voice with Local Government. It is a very on these complex issues, to build understanding and keep effective way forward.” our networks and supporters up-to-date. Reconciliation Banyule.

www.reconciliationvic.org.au 8

Joint Reconciliation Victoria/ANTaR Victoria tour & Regional LRG forum

During April over 35 reconciliation supporters from around Victoria gathered on country at Budj Bim ( and Mt Eccles), to learn about the Gunditjmara peoples’ connection to this very special place, and to connect with each other, to share, learn and build a stronger reconciliation movement.

The group included people from Geelong, It was a special weekend and a privilege to spend time on this Shepparton, Ballarat, Whittlesea, Nillumbik, sacred country with international historical significance. Port Phillip, Whitehorse, Stonnington, Banyule, Macedon Ranges, Moreland, Mornington The story of the Gunditjmara people is intimately related to Peninsula and the Yarra Ranges. the volcanic eruption of Mount Eccles around 30,000 years ago, when an ancestral creation-being revealed himself in the We were welcomed to Country by Aunty Eileen landscape to the Gunditjmara people. Budj Bim (meaning high Alberts and taken on a fascinating tour by Elder head) is part of the ancestral creation-being’s body; his forehead Denis Rose (pictured bottom right) around the is the mountain and the stones are his teeth. various sites that make up Budj Bim and Lake Condah Mission. These included sophisticated Moves are being made to have the area declared a World systems, including stone eel traps Heritage site, to be restored and protected for future and channels designed by the Gunditjmara generations. There is also a proposal to rename Mount Eccles people thousands of years ago, as well as the National Park to Budj Bim National Park and rename the peak many remnants of stone houses that formed Mount Eccles to Budj Bim. Reconciliation Victoria made a permanent villages for centuries. submission to Parks Victoria to support the name change.

As part of our forum Denis also provided an If you are interested in knowing more about the Gunditjmara overview of the Glenelg Aboriginal Partnership people and the Budj Bim Cultural Landscape, the World Agreement, an outstanding example of Heritage nomination and how to join a tour check out the collaboration between local government and the Gunditj Mirring website, www.gunditjmirring.com. local Aboriginal community.

9 Annual Report 2015 - 2016 MAGGOLEE

On 22 October 2015, the Minister for Local Government and Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins launched the new Maggolee website, a resource supporting local councils to work more closely with Aboriginal communities.

As the level of government closest to communities, local councils are well-placed to work with Aboriginal communities to drive positive change in areas such as employment and economic development, health and wellbeing, recognition and respect, civic participation, access to land and protection of cultural heritage.

Maggolee – meaning ‘here in this place’ in Woi wurrung – was developed and is managed by Reconciliation Victoria with funding from the Victorian Government. The website celebrates good practice in Victorian local government Aboriginal engagement and reconciliation and aims to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, local communities and the councils that serve them together. Reconciliation Victoria The website supports improved practice in local governments by providing a ‘one-stop shop’ developed the Maggolee with information on policy and programs, protocols and cultural awareness, key contacts, website in relevant local data and news and events from across the sector. collaboration with Aboriginal It provides resources and case studies so that councils can better partner with Aboriginal Victoria, the Municipal communities on service delivery, the arts, reconciliation, land use management, Association of Victoria (MAV), planning and cultural heritage, and how they can support Aboriginal employment Local Government Victoria and economic participation. (LGV), the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), Maggolee contains information about each of the 79 Victorian local government LGPro and the Koorie Youth areas demonstrating examples of good practice and helping build a community Council. of practice within the local government sector. Since it's launch Maggolee has had more For more information visit than 7,000 visits by over 5,000 users around the state, including a significant number of www.maggolee.org.au visits by teachers and school students. As part of our promotion strategy for the website we have held five workshops with local government audiences, attended by representatives from 18 councils along with Local Aboriginal Network brokers, Aboriginal community representatives and others, as well as having direct engagement with sixty of the 79 councils around Victoria.

The Maggolee website does a brilliant job in providing a central place for local government Reconciliation stuff. It’s also a very good resource for students and others “seeking out this information. It is invaluable PHOTO: (L to R) Gheran Steel ( Foundation), to those in local government with the role of Aunty Judith Jackson (community Elder) and Todd Condie developing policy and Reconciliation Action (City of Port Phillip) at launching of City of Port Phillip’s Aboriginal Interpretive Signs Project, one of the projects Plans. Maggolee has been a long time showcased on Maggolee. coming.” Garry Detez, Indigenous Development Officer, Yarra Ranges Council

www.reconciliationvic.org.au 10 Statement ofComprehensiveIncome Statement ofFinancialPosition Fortheyearended30June2016

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June 7,207 7,207 198,464 201,032 282,576 280,889 279,353 289, 783 195, 664 13,204 201,547 June 110,411 14,268 11,653 2,392 4,395 11,200 37,074 43,652 8,894 11,318 36,445 11,654 1,181 4,405 4,489 3,083 7,207 6,308 5,000 2,800 1,400 1,683 562 355 -16 -16

11 285,176 299,740 129,322 June 215,480 301,499 281,639 132,182 81,534

Annual Report2015- 2016 129,072 June 14,565 11,914 14,667 13,000 8,182 13,769 35,209 (1,759) 14,203 36,445 95,737 (1,759) 20,612 38,204 (1,759) 14,203 18,922 42,000 2,650 3,403 1,400 2,861 1,461 806 134 385 -15 250 -15 John Farlow Treasurer 2017 financialyear. and ongoinginitiativesinthe operations andsupportnew well placedtocontinue is Reconciliation Victoria round offunding,means forafurther Government a commitmentfrom so this,togetherwith $195,664 (2015:$129,072) reserves amountedto At theendof2016cash accessed inthe2017year. in theBalanceSheettobe projects havebeenrecorded received tocompletethe June 30sospecificfunds stages ofcompletionat programs are invarious however financiallythese sections ofthereport are includedinother Details oftheseprograms with theeducationsector. treaties andengagement constitutional reform and awareness raisingon the Maggoleewebsite, during theyearincluding support severalprograms received grantfundingto Reconciliation Victoria within budgetexpectations. deficit $1,759).This result is surplus of$7,207(2015: and eventsresulted ina reconciliation programs 2016 supportfor Reconciliation Victoria’s audit report isun-qualified. available from theoffice. The on 12November, andis be presented attheAGM The fullfinancial report will Alexander Rd.Essendon. Ltd, Suite3Level1,902 Business AccountingPty conducted byPro-Act ended 30June2016was accounts fortheyear Inc.’sVictoria financial An auditofReconciliation Victoria. Reconciliation 2016 financialaccountsfor I ampleasedtopresent the

Acknowledgements

Reconciliation Victoria wishes to thank and acknowledge the Victorian State Government, Reconciliation Australia, Portland House Foundation and Australian Communities Foundation for their past and ongoing support.

We’d also like to thank the following organisations with whom we have worked this past year: ANTaR Victoria, the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), Koorie Youth Council, Aboriginal Catholic Ministry, Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), LGPro, VCOSS, The Long Walk and Glenelg Council;

Our volunteers: Julie Catlin, Alana Picone, Philippa PHOTO: Geelong’s Deadly Dancers were a big hit at this year’s HART Awards. Day, Nina Photokis, Deb Chapman, Mark Michell, Provided by Barbara Oehring.

Howard Tankey, Helen Bennett, John Burke, Sylvia Edgar, Deb Gilkes, Charlotte Powell, Carol Brown, RecVic continues to provide ongoing, encouraging Barbara Oehring, Ro Bailey, Tom Moloney and Ria support to local reconciliation groups such as ours. Tattersall.; Their Local Reconciliation Group forums always inform,

challenge and support, whilst at the same time providing And others we have worked with or who have invaluable networking opportunities, in particular for supported us: Aunty Joy Murphy, Arweet Carolyn “those groups from further afield. Briggs, Aunty Di Kerr, Uncle Bill Nicholson Jnr, Natalie

Hutchins MP, Professor Muriel Bamblett, Clare Land, RecVic’s staff provide assistance in so many ways: Frank O’Connor, Stephanie Armstrong, James Henry, reviewing articles for our fortnightly column in the Monica Weightman, Leanne Brooks, Sue Atkinson, Shepparton News, providing a sounding board for Corrina O’Toole and the Deadly Dancers, Charcoal ideas, attending our local events or providing funding Lane, Beautiful Delicious, the Koorie Heritage Trust, to assist with our work and keeping us up-to-date on Korin Gamadji Institute, Denis Rose, Winda-Mara what’s happening, especially on the important issues of Aboriginal Corporation, Gunditj Mirring Traditional constitutional recognition and treaty. It is hard to imagine Owner Corporation, Brotherhood of St Laurence, reconciliation in Victoria without RecVic – it is the glue International Detention Coalition, Mi Fi Accountants, that binds us all together.” James Doyle - Moule Print, John Smith (Cedar Creek), Dierdre Robertson, Co-Chair, Spike WebDesign, Studio Binocular, Bank Australia, Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group, June 2016. Infoxchange, Connecting Up and Pozible.

We would also like to thank the Local Reconciliation Group network - now 27 groups and growing. We Join Us would like to acknowledge and congratulate them on Reconciliation Victoria is the product of a people’s the critical work that they do in their local regions. movement and we invite community participation in all our activities. To join the movement for reconciliation and be kept up-to- date with activities and issues relevant to reconciliation in Reconciliation Victoria Victoria, you can: Level 2, 112 Langridge St • Join our mailing list (PO Box 1562) • Join a Local Group Collingwood 3066 03 9016 0657 • Register to become a volunteer [email protected] • Become a Member (this entitles you to participate in the www.reconciliationvic.org.au governance of the organisation). Don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Visit www.reconciliationvic.org.au

We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters of Victoria

Printed on 100% recycled paper by Moule Print, Fitzroy. www.reconciliationvic.org.au 12 www.mouleprint.com.au