In what has been proclaimed by Indigenous Australians and Local Government circles as a lead for others to follow, Latrobe City, in March 2000, made an historic commitment to the Indigenous community, adopting a ‘Statement of Commitment to Indigenous People, and a Statement of Reconciliation’.
The statements followed more than two years of work between Latrobe City and Indigenous community representatives through Council’s Braiakaulung Advisory Committee.
This Committee comprises representatives from the local Koorie community as well as Councillors and Council Community Planning and Development officers, and people from a number of agencies with direct involvement or influence on the needs and activities of this region’s Koorie community.
Latrobe is geographically sited in an area that has been occupied by the Gunai Kurnai people for many thousands of years. The Braiakaulung people are the local clan of the Gunai Kurnai. Council recognised that Indigenous people have a unique role in the community and that the Latrobe municipality needed to celebrate their contributions.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Tony Hanning, explained that the Statement of Reconciliation by Latrobe City acknowledged the pain and grief suffered by Indigenous people for acts which occurred in the past, and apologised for these.
“Whilst we cannot undo the wrongs of the past, Latrobe City wished to make a serious and sincere attempt to implement the statement in the reconciliation document through its own practices and policies,” he said. “There are a number of recommendations that have developed as a result of Council’s endorsement of the statements.
“These include work on cultural awareness, staff and Councillor training; consultation with the local Gunai Kurnai elders on specific issues such as the use of local Indigenous place names; reflecting the Council’s commitments in civic structure and in environment protection; and also in the provision of Council services to Indigenous and non Indigenous members of the community.
“Importantly, the Braiakaulung community and Council will employ 16 Indigenous staff in mainstream positions, including traineeships and cadetships. This project is unique in Local Government and will serve as a model for other municipalities across Australia.”
Braiakaulung Advisory Council Chairperson Steve Walsh declared Latrobe City Council was already leaps ahead of most other municipalities in terms of its commitment to reconciliation.
Essentially the statements, though extensive, served to recognise the Braiakaulung people as the “owners and traditional occupiers of the land that now comprises Latrobe City prior to Anglo/European settlement”.
“Council uses the Braiakaulung committee as an advisory tool, and can be seen as a leader in the consultation and negotiation process,” Steve Walsh said. “The committee is a valuable link between Council and the local Koorie community.
Councillor Hanning added that the reconciliation process was a good foundation on which to further Council’s relationship with local Indigenous people.
