Willoughby City Council has taken a significant step towards reconciliation after its first Reconciliation Action Plan was formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the peak national body for reconciliation in the country.
The plan sets out a range of recommendations that will help to build stronger relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, as well as promote cultural understanding and awareness.
Over the course of a year-long consultation process, the views of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and local residents across the Willoughby local government area were sought through community groups and staff. The resulting set of recommendations and actions will guide the Council’s reconciliation initiatives and pave the way for further work in the future.
One of the key actions outlined in the plan is the establishment of a Yarning Circle at an appropriate location. This will serve as a way to build respectful relationships and preserve and pass on cultural knowledge. The plan also includes the inclusion of Aboriginal cultural awareness training in the induction process for all Council staff and Councillors. Recruitment processes will be overhauled to increase the diversity of the applicant pool. Additionally, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, email signatures, and other materials, including official documents, will be included on the Council website. The plan will also assess opportunities to increase procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-owned businesses.
Willoughby City Mayor Tanya Taylor expressed her gratitude for Reconciliation Australia’s endorsement of the Council’s plan and commended the hard work of the staff who helped put it together. However, she emphasised that the real work starts now. “The plan represents our deep and ongoing commitment to reconciliation and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and I look forward to working collaboratively with stakeholders to transform words into action in the coming months. My sincere hope is that effective implementation of the plan will help us shape and deliver a better future for our community and all Australians”.
The endorsement of Willoughby City Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan by Reconciliation Australia is a significant milestone in the journey towards reconciliation. The plan’s recommendations and actions will guide the Council’s initiatives and pave the way for further work in the future.
