Item 12.2
- Attachment 1 |
Minutes:
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting 28 April
2009 |
MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL
AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN ROOM 1,
GROUND FLOOR, COUNCIL CHAMBERS, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY 28TH APRIL 2009 AT 6.25 PM.
__________________________________________________________________________
PRESENT
Linda
McDonald (Acting as Chairperson) Doug Desjardines (dep. 8.22pm), Lyn Leerson,
Marcia Donovan, Annie Nielsen, June Townsend, June McGrath (arr. 6:35pm),
Phillip Bradley (arr.6.40pm)
IN ATTENDANCE
MINUTES
1 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS THE DHARUG PEOPLE
Doug Desjardines made an
Acknowledgment of Country, recognising that the land upon which the meeting was
being held is Dharug and paying respect to Elders past and present.
2 WELCOME &
INTRODUCTIONS
Doug
Desjardines welcomed members and Council staff to the meeting. Doug noted that being without a quorum, any
decisions made by the Committee at this meeting would require ratification at
the next meeting.
3 CHAIRPERSON’S REMINDER REGARDING MEETING
PROTOCOLS
The Chairperson reminded members of the meeting
protocol.
4 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received and
accepted for the absence of John Robertson,
Anne Castles, Bruce Gale, Anne Stonham, Greg Stonham, Phil Russo, Shaneen Hogg and
Cr. Paul Barber.
5 CONFLICT OF INTERESTS
There were
no conflicts of interest noted.
6 CONFIRMATION
OF MINUTES
A copy
of the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee
Meeting held on 24th March 2009 had previously been forwarded to each member.
RESOLVED
(Leerson/McDonald)
The minutes of the Aboriginal and
7 BUSINESS
ARISING
Recognition
of Presence of Councillor Chiang Lim
The
Committee recognised the presence of Councillor Chiang Lim at the meeting and
expressed its appreciation that he had attended. Councillor Lim thanked the Committee for its
welcome.
Lost Positions within Council
Members
queried when the Natural Resources Officer- Aboriginal Heritage had been filled
or whether it was going to be lost.
The Committee
sought clarification as to whether the Natural Resources- Aboriginal Heritage Officer
role had been an Elsie Dixon Employment Program position.
Indigenous
Employment at
The Committee
discussed whether Council had a commitment to include a certain percentage of
indigenous employees within its staff, and whether this target was being met at
Cr. Lim
indicated that after attending the Local Government ATSI Conference in
Armidale, he believed that Council did have a percentage target, and that to
his knowledge Council had not achieved that target. Doug Desjardines suggested that Cr Lim should
investigate what the target actually is, and what percentage of indigenous
staff Council currently employs.
During
consideration of this matter, the Committee discussed the need to ensure that
the indigenous heritage of
8 NAIDOC
PLANNING
Sponsorships
A question was asked regarding the
sponsorship money that has been obtained from the
Consideration of March ATSI
Minutes at the Council Meeting of April 27th
Councillor Lim provided the Committee
with some information about Council’s consideration of the March Minutes of the
ATSI Advisory Committee. Councillor Lim
advised that Council had discussed the commitment of $50,000 in funds towards
NAIDOC, and had sought further clarification about how NAIDOC is budgeted,
given its timing at the very beginning of the financial year. Councillor Lim advised that there had been
some confusion amongst Councillors given that the process of budgeting for the
2009/2010 financial year is still underway and Councillors had not approved the
expenditure of any money at this stage. He understood that given the timing of
NAIDOC, monies allocated to the 2008/2009 financial year had been approved and
allocated.
Entertainment
Margie Perez distributed a list of
performers who had expressed interest in performing at the NAIDOC Burramatta
Family Fun Day event. The Committee
considered the various performers, and confirmed their desire to have Nellie
Dargan, Steve Fogarty, Sean Choolburra, the Stiff Gins, and Col Hardy perform
at the day.
The Committee considered that the
prices quoted for attendance by Christine Anu and Casey Donovan were too
expensive.
The Committee discussed the need
to ensure that there is appropriate children’s entertainment on the day and
discussed two groups: the “Chrissy
Island Kids”, and also the group “Mixed Kids”.
Margarita suggested that the Chrissy Island Kids may be a bigger draw
card. It was agreed that Margarita would
see if she could get a reduced price for the Chrissy Island Kids and then
report back to the Committee via e-mail and post before a final decision is
made.
The Committee discussed the
inclusion of an hour long local talent potion of the day. Margarita confirmed that this has been
included in the timetable for the event.
Workshops
Margarita advised the group that
she was looking at the option of employing a chalk-drawer to do artwork on the
pavement in the centre of Price Alfred Park.
Margarita advised that they were currently considering having the
Parramatta City Council logo drawn.
Linda McDonald asked that
Margarita ensure that Uncle Wes be contacted about workshops and advised that she would provide Margarita
with Uncle Wes’ phone number to facilitate this.
Amusements
Margarita advised that there was a
concern that the giant slide may not fit in Prince Alfred Park. She advised that she would be meeting with
the amusement operator in the next week to determine whether this is the case. If
the giant slide does not fit, an alternative ride, as advised by the operator,
would be secured.
Catering
Margarita advised that the price
of the coffee cart had increased substantially from last year and that the
operators will not reduce this price unless the Committee devises a way to
better manage the provision of free coffee.
The Committee discussed the option
of asking for a gold coin donation, or placing a time limit on the availability
of the free coffee. Doug Desjardines strongly
objected to this. The Committee
discussed the fact that the operator has been working at a loss for the last
two events and that on this basis, perhaps it was reasonable to pay the
increased price rather than seeking alternative providers. Margarita advised that if the Committee were
to agree to the increased cost, something else will have to be taken away from
the event to compensate.
It was agreed that the matter
would be referred to the next meeting of the ATSI Committee and a determination
made.
Security for Burramatta Family Fun
Day
Margarita advised that she had
received quotes from two companies for the provision of security services at
the event: Ridgeway and Wright. The Committee indicated that they would
prefer to utilise Wright’s security services.
Margarita stated that she would contact Wright to see if they would
reduce their quote.
Community Bus
Margarita advised that a quote had
been obtained for a charter to pick up people and drop them off at 4pm. The Committee noted that
The Committee was advised that the
cost of running the
Matters for discussion at the next
meeting
Margarita advised that she will
bring the draft creative material to the next meeting of the Committee. Other information to be provided and
discussed will include information on radio promotions and radio interviews,
the invitation list and list of delegates, and the possibility of advertisement
posters on Rail Corp property or a Western Sydney NAIDOC poster including the
Jai
Pittman
Linda
asked whether Jai Pittman had been invited to lodge an Expression of Interest
Form for the Burramatta Family Fun Day.
Linda was advised to send an EOI form to Jai, or to have him call
Margarita on 9806 5035.
Sorry Day
Maggie Kyle
advised that she would be meeting with Council’s Civic Events and Protocols
Officer, M’Leigh Dickie, to be briefed on Sorry Day and would ask M’Leigh to e-mail
the details to the Committee. Lyn Leerson
sought information about a Statewide calendar, and Maggie advised that she
would ask M’Leigh to e-mail Lyn.
9 GENERAL
BUSINESS AND INFORMATION SHARING
Urban Aboriginal Exchange Program
Maggie Kyle advised that Michael Dagostino, Co-ordinator, Parramatta
Artists Studios, is seeking the Committee’s feedback about the Urban Aboriginal
Exchange Program. The program involves
selecting an indigenous artist to travel to
Education for Sustainability
Maggie Kyle advised that Council Officers are currently developing a plan
titled “Education for Sustainability” and are looking at ways of consulting
with various community groups. The
objective of the plan is to determine what Parramatta City Council can do to
educate the community on the importance of sustainability. The plan relates to both Council staff, and
members of the community.
Maggie advised that one of the Council Officers working on the plan would
like to meet with members of the Committee in either June or July. It was suggested by Committee members that
the officer might like to put up a display at the Burramatta Family Fun Day and
consult with a broad range of community members. Maggie also asked if it would be possible for
the Council Officer to come to one of the ATSI Committee meetings. The Committee agreed that she could come to
the July meeting and that 30 minutes would be allocated to discussion of the
plan.
The Road to Better Days – Talk by Jeff McMullan
The Committee discussed an upcoming talk by Jeff McMullan, the CEO of the
Ian Thorpe Font of Youth charity. The
talk is taking place at the Karrabi Neighbourhood Centre, and the Committee was
advised that Reconciliation for
Use of
Parramatta Library Dharug Room for Dharug Language Lessons
The Committee
discussed the request received by Parramatta Library to use the Dharug Room in
the Library at reduced costs for the conduct of Dharug Language lessons. Maggie Kyle advised the Committee that the
Community Capacity Building Team and the Library support the use of the Dharug
Room for language classes. The Committee agreed that it was appropriate for the
Library to reduce the charges.
Nicholii
Cottage
The Committee
was advised that Nicholii Cottage had closed
as agreed by its members, and that the Department of Community Services (DoCS)
had asked that their funds be returned. These funds are now being used to
provide programs for children and families in the community by two separate
organisations whilst another auspicing organisation is contracted.
It was
noted that DoCS Expressions of Interest process to secure the new auspicing
organisation closes at the end of May 2009 and Committee members were advised to
encourage any interested services to apply.
Aboriginal
Mentors
The Committee
briefly discussed the need for a program in which the Committee mentors an
indigenous person with the aim of that person ultimately being elected as a
Councillor. The Committee acknowledged
Maureen Walsh, who has previously served as a Councillor with Parramatta City
Council. The Committee agreed to
discuss the idea at a future meeting, and also agreed to invite Maureen Walsh
to apply for membership of the ATSI Advisory Committee
Membership
of the ATSI Advisory Committee
Maggie
Kyle advised that following Council’s decision at their March 2009 Council meeting,
regarding the future of Advisory Committees, the Community Capacity Building
Team would be putting in place the required process to re-establish Committees.
This would include an expression of interest process which will be
advertised. The Terms of Reference for
Council’s Advisory Committees will also require review, before both they and
the proposed list of members are presented to Council for approval. The Committee was encouraged to invite
interested persons to apply to join the Committee.
During consideration
of this item the Committee also recognised the need to encourage indigenous
membership on Council’s other advisory Committees. Maggie advised that membership to all
Council’s Advisory Committees would be open to interested people and that Committee
members could encourage indigenous persons to apply.
Next
Meetings
ATSI
Advisory Executive Meeting
Room 1,
Ground Floor Council Chambers,
Tuesday,
26 May 2009 5pm
ATSI
Advisory Meeting
Room 1,
Ground Floor Council Chambers,
Tuesday,
26 May 2009 6pm
The Meeting concluded at 8:55pm