Item 10.1 - Attachment 1 |
Minutes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Advisory Committee 28 September 2010 |
MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL
AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN GROUND FLOOR
MEETING ROOMS 1 AND 2, COUNCIL CHAMBER, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY, 28 SEPTEMBER 2010
AT 6.14 PM.
__________________________________________________________________________
PRESENT
John
Robertson in the Chair, Doug Desjardines, Marcia Donovan, Lyn Leerson (arrived
6.25 pm), Linda McDonald, Annie Nielsen and Phil Russo.
IN ATTENDANCE
Jillian Comber (arrived 6.29 pm, departed
at 7.00pm),
1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS THE DHARUG
PEOPLE
John Robertson made a Welcome to
Country, recognising that the land upon which the meeting was being held is Burramatugal
and paid respect to Elders past and present.
2 WELCOME AND
INTRODUCTIONS
The Committee welcomed Council’s
new Service Manager –
3 APOLOGIES
An apology was received and accepted for the absence of Bruce Astill, Donna-Lee Astill, Councillor
4 CONFLICT OF
INTERESTS
There were
no conflicts of interest at this meeting.
5 LGAN 2010 DEBRIEF
In the
absence of Councillor Barber, Mr Robertson invited members to provide comment
on the recently held LGAN Conference.
Linda
McDonald noted that Uncle Wes had conducted the smoking ceremony and questioned
whether he would be paid for his efforts. Linda added that an invoice in the
amount of $200 had been obtained and submitted to Council.
RECOMMENDATION (McDonald/Nielsen)
That Council officers investigate the payment of the
invoice submitted by Uncle Wes for conducting the important smoking ceremony at
short notice.
Note
Lyn Leerson arrived at the meeting at 6.25 pm.
Other
comments received in relation to the Conference included:-
· Holding the tours on the first day
prevented attendance by certain delegates.
· The speakers and workshops were
excellent.
· The food provided at the dinner
whilst of good quality, was served too late for some diabetics.
· The conference attendance was
disappointing with certain Councillors indicating that they were unaware of the
conference. Rod Towney had suggested that direct invitations be forwarded to
all Councillors at all Councils in the future.
· The next conference would be held
at Dubbo followed by the Clarence Valley.
· There seemed to be poor
information dissemination at the conference, especially in relating to the
conduct of workshops and the direction of attendees to workshops.
· The conference bags, whilst of
high quality, had the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal Flags printed in
the wrong order. Protocol in NSW is for the Koori Flag to be on the left side
of the Torres Strait Islander Flag.
· Issues relating to the ladies
prison farm visit would be raised next week.
Lyn
Leerson tabled a comprehensive report on the LGAN Conference and a copy of the
report is appended to these minutes as Attachment
1.
6 GUEST SPEAKER – JILLIAN COMBER –
ARCHAEOLOGIST/HERITAGE CONSULTANT
Jillian
Comber was welcomed to the Committee and presented on recent works undertaken
in
· Archaeological works are currently
being undertaken at 140 Macquarie Street, Parramatta where Integral Energy
intends to construct a substation. Artefacts and relics are being found on
site. Works are also being undertaken in relation to cultural and landscaping
information. An invitation was extended to all members, either individually or
as a Committee, to visit the site.
· A dig was held last year at 15
Macquarie Street, Parramatta where some 300 artefacts were located.
· An excavation had been conducted
on the Cumberland Press site where the sand terrace had been discovered.
Construction on site would be on piers to have minimal impact and to preserve
as much of the site as possible.
· Any relics obtained were forwarded
to the Australian Museum. Interested Aboriginal organisations could apply to
the Museum to obtain the artefacts. Bearing in mind the future possibility of a
heritage museum being placed in Parramatta as part of the Civic Place
Development, Council could also apply to receive the artefacts. In such
instances, Council would need agreement from all relevant Aboriginal groups.
· Some evidence had been obtained
that Parramatta River had changed course over the years. Evidence had also been
obtained of creeks and tributaries which no longer existed.
· In response to concerns raised by
members that the Committee were not advised of the works being undertaken, Ms
Comber undertook to provide advice on her works in Parramatta to the Chair and
Deputy Chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
· It was also suggested that the
interest of the Committee in such issues could also be passed on to the
Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc.
The Committee
thanked Ms Comber for her attendance and expressed intent to visit the site at
7
CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES
A copy of
the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting
held on 24 August 2010 had previously been forwarded to each member.
RECOMMENDATION (McDonald/Robertson)
That the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Advisory Committee Meeting held on 24 August 2010 be taken as a true
record of the meeting subject to it being noted that Phil Russo submitted an
apology for his non attendance at this meeting.
8 GENERAL
BUSINESS AND INFORMATION SHARING
Employment at
A copy of
the current vacancies at Parramatta City Council including the position of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Project Officer was distributed
at the meeting.
Burramatta Lands Brochure
A copy of
the Burramatta Lands brochure providing details on a self guided walk to assist
in the discovery of
The
Committee noted that the first draft of the brochure had been changed following
input by Phil Bradley and Lyn Leerson resulting in a commendable document.
Council’s
officer,
John
Robertson noted that it was his understanding the brochure was to include a
photograph of the Advisory Committee.
Ms
Williams would like to discuss with the Committee better management of these 2
items either at an on site meeting or at a future meeting of the Advisory
Committee.
It was
suggested that Mr Robertson liaise with Ms Williams with a view to arranging an
on site meeting and subsequent report back to the Advisory Committee.
Conservation Order for
Doug
Desjardines advised that he had previously raised at the Advisory Committee
held on 24 November 2009, the need for a conservation order to be placed on
Lake Parramatta Reserve.
Mr
Desjardines requested that this issue be placed back on the Council’s agenda.
RECOMMENDATION (Desjardines/Russo)
(a) That it be noted this Committee opposes
any development, outside the existing developed area, at
(b) Further, that the Committee again
expresses its support for an Aboriginal Ranger to be appointed for the site to
provide protection and educational tours.
Retracing
Arthur Phillip’s Steps
Doug
Desjardines referred to a recent article entitled ‘Retracing Arthur Phillip’s
Steps” and expressed disappointment that all members of the Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee and Executive Committee had not been
advised of the proposed walk.
Corrective Services
Doug Desjardines
expressed concern that Aboriginal persons being released from correctional
centres were given paper works on release that amounted to only 20 points for
identification purposes.
He added
that he was also aware of a young
Mr
Desjardines added that it was ludicrous that
RECOMMENDATION (Desjardines/McDonald)
That Council be advised that this Committee is aware
of a local Aboriginal person who has been incarcerated in the Muswellbrook
Correctional Facility which places a financial burden on his family when
arranging visits and is also contrary to the recommendations contained in the
Black Deaths in Custody Report. Accordingly, the Committee requests that
Council pursue this issue with the relevant State Government Department.
Youth off the Streets Project
Doug
Desjardines advised that Father Chris Riley is conducting the Youth off the
Streets Project and had recently received a call from a local project manager
seeking to place 2 Aboriginal boys in meaningful community work.
RECOMMENDATION (Desjardines/Russo)
That Council be advised that Committee is aware of 2
young Aboriginal persons seeking employment in conjunction with the Youth off
the Streets Project conducted by Father Chris Riley and requests that Council
give consideration to the placement of such workers.
Indigenous Australians at War
Lyn
Leerson tabled a copy of an article entitled Indigenous Australians at War by
John Moremon. A copy of the article is appended to these minutes as Attachment 2.
The
meeting terminated at 8.04 pm.