A pioneer of Aboriginal representation in local government, Gunnedah councillor Gwen Griffen, has urged other indigenous people to consider standing for their local council, during this week’s Local Government Aboriginal Network conference in Tweed Heads.
The veteran of 21 years in local government and fellow indigenous councillor Les Knox told the two-day conference that Aboriginal voices on council was an important factor to improving social conditions for Aboriginal communities and their involvement in the broader community.
Indigenous involvement in local government had grown significantly during the past two decades – both as elected members and employees – Ms Griffen told the approximately 150 conference delegates from throughout the state, as many New South Wales local governments prepare for councillor elections in September.
“But we want to encourage more indigenous people to go into local government, to have a voice in their communities and build upon the opportunities that might be available.”
Ms Griffen was encouraged to enter local government in the 1990s, after she was a prominent advocate to address problems in the Gunnedah community.
She said she kept getting re-elected because of her “straight shooting” approach to local government politics.
Mr Knox said Ms Griffen’s long career as a councillor inspired him to contest the Narrabri Shire Council elections eight years ago.
He was already prominent in his community, his achievements including organising an Aboriginal cricket team tour of the United Kingdom in 1988 to celebrate the 120th anniversary of a ground-breaking indigenous team who undertook a similar tour in 1868 – the first Australian sporting team to compete overseas.
Mr Knox said local government was one of the most valuable platforms for Aboriginal people to foster change in services, business and infrastructure.
“I tell people it is a chance for them to be one of the few people to be selected to be the boss of their town,” he said.
The NSW Local Government Aboriginal Network President, Councillor Rob Towney, said increasing the number of indigenous councillors had the greatest potential for improvement at a local government level.
He added that while the Network was eager to encourage the creation of effective Aboriginal advisory groups in each local government area, “we want Aboriginal people to run for council and get elected because that will make the biggest difference”
