Item 10.2 - Attachment 1

Minutes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee 27 March 2012

 

MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN GROUND FLOOR MEETING ROOMS 1 AND 2, COUNCIL CHAMBER BUILDING, CIVIC PLACE, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY, 27 MARCH 2012 AT 6:14PM

______________________________________________________________

 

PRESENT

 

Bruce Gale in the Chair, Donna – Lee Astill (retired 7.24pm), Phillip Bradley, Doug Desjardines (arrived 6.50pm and retired 7.05pm), Marcia Donovan (retired 7.05pm), Shalini Kumari (arrived 6.26pm and retired 7.12pm), Annie Nielsen, Phil Russo (retired 7.23pm), Anne Stonham (retired 7.05pm) and Doug Wilson (retired 7.05pm).

 

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Grant Davies (Minute Clerk), Paul Goddard, Aunty Kerrie Kenton, George Mannix (Major Events), Gai Marheine, Joanne McNeill (Community Capacity Building), Christine Nobilia, Steven Ross (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Capacity Building Officer) and Uncle Gordon Workman.

 

 

1          ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS THE DHARUG PEOPLE

 

Bruce Gale made an Acknowledgement to the Traditional Owners, recognising that the land upon which the meeting was being held is Burramattagal and paid respect to Elders past and present.

 

 

2          WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

 

Mr Gale welcomed all to the meeting.

 

 

3          APOLOGIES

 

An apology was received and accepted for the absence of Bruce Astill, Maggie Kyle, Lyn Leerson, Linda McDonald, John Robertson and Christian Tancred.

 

4          CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

 

There were no conflicts of interest at this meeting.

 

 

5          CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

A copy of the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting held on 22 November 2011 had previously been forwarded to each member.

 

RECOMMENDATION                     (Nielsen/Donna Lee Astill)

 

That the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting held on 22 November 2011 be taken as a true record of the meeting.

 

6          BUSINESS ARISING

 

6.1       Attendance by Former Employee of Council

 

Ms O’Neill referred to Item 6 of the November meeting and advised that correspondence had been forwarded to the employee concerned by Council’s Human Resources Department outlining the various options available.

 

 

6.2       2nd Annual Zest Awards

 

Mr Bradley referred to Item 8.1 of the previous meeting and noted that the Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation had received an award for community effort. The efforts of Gai Marheine and Christine Nobilia were also noted.

 

Aunty Carol Cooper had also received an award for outstanding community contribution.

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Bradley/Russo)

 

That the Committee congratulates the winners at the 2nd Annual Zest Awards.

 

Note

Shalini Kumari arrived at the meeting at 6.26pm during consideration of this matter.

 

6.3       “Our Generation”

 

Mr Bradley referred to Item 9.1 of the previous meeting and thanked Council and the Community Capacity Team for organising a meeting room to enable the screening of “Our Generation”.

 

 

7          GUEST SPEAKER – CHRISTIAN TANCRED: ICE - DEVELOPMENT OF RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN AND ICE’S KOORI CONNECTION

 

Mr Tancred was not available to attend tonight’s meeting, however, documentation relating to the Koori Connection Project Brief was distributed to Members for comment.

 

 

8          NAIDOC PLANNING

 

Mr Mannix advised that a report had been submitted to the Council Meeting of 26 March 2012 relating to the NAIDOC Week 2012 Celebrations and Council had resolved to note the consultants report (as previously discussed by the Committee) and to deliver the Burramatta Family Day event on 8 July 2012 at Prince Alfred Park.

 

A number of incremental changes had been suggested in relation to the NAIDOC celebrations including improved stall holder mix, a focus on food, children’s activities and guided tours.

 

Consultation will be held with the Advisory Committee in relation to the 2012 event.

 

The budget for the 2012 event would be $43,000 although as a result of additional events proposed, it is likely an additional $8,000 to $10,000 will be allocated from the Major Events budget.

 

 

Note

Doug Desjardines arrived at the meeting at 6.50pm during consideration of this matter.

 

 

A general discussion was held where issues raised included:-

 

·    Charging a fee for food could impact attendance

·    Need to attract the broader community

·    Need to focus on advertising and targeting Aboriginal communities

·    Need to focus on and promote local culture and history

·    Possible alternative venues bearing in mind Prince Alfred Park has negative connotations for certain Aboriginal communities

·    Need for further sponsorship from such organisations as RailCorp, Parramatta Leagues Club and Coates Hire

·    Dwindling budget since 2007

·    Possibility of partnerships with other organisations such as Riverside Theatres.

 

 

Mr Mannix further indicated that:-

 

·    Any additional sponsorship monies received would not lower the amount of monies provided by Council

·    Any value-in-kind would also be added to the budget

·    No NAIDOC Sub Committee would be formed but rather the entire Advisory Community would be consulted

·    Consideration was being given to the appointment of an Aboriginal Consultant skilled in event management to work with staff on the event.

 

A member of the Committee expressed interest in applying for the consultancy role and some members also considered that any appointment should be local and Darug.

 

A copy of the position description would be circulated to interested members

 

Note

Ms A Stonham, Doug Desjardines, Marcia Donovan and Doug Wilson left the meeting at 7.05pm, Shalini Kumari left the meeting at 7.12pm, Phil Russo left the meeting at 7.23pm and Donna-Lee Astill left the meeting at 7.24pm during discussion of this issue.

 

ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING

 

At this time, the meeting no longer possessed a quorum and accordingly, the meeting was adjourned until the next scheduled meeting of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee (23 April 2012).

 

The meeting adjourned at 7.24pm.