Item 10.3 - Attachment 1

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Minutes 28 June 2011

 

MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE GROUND FLOOR MEETING ROOMS 1 AND 2, COUNCIL CHAMBER, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY, 28 JUNE 2011 AT 6:39 PM

______________________________________________________________

 

PRESENT

 

Bruce Gale in the Chair, Bruce Astill, Donna-Lee Astill, Councillor Paul Barber, Councillor Andrew Bide, Phillip Bradley, Doug Desjardines (arrived 7.16pm), Marcia Donovan, Lyn Leerson, Linda McDonald, John Robertson and Phil Russo.

 

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Grant Davies (Minute Clerk), Kerrie Kenton (former member) and Maggie Kyle (Community Capacity Building Officer).

 

 

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    APOLOGIES

 

An apology was received and accepted for the absence of Jay Palmer, Annie Nielsen, Anne and Greg Stonham and Doug Wilson.

 

3    CONFLICT OF INTERESTS

 

There were no conflicts of interest at this meeting.

 

4   CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

 

A copy of the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting held on 24 May 2011 had previously been forwarded to each member.

 

RECOMMENDATION                     (Russo/Robertson)

 

That the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting held on 24 May 2011 be taken as a true record of the meeting subject to the following alterations:-

 

(i)         “Barramatugal” should read “Burramattagal”.

 

(ii)        “Welcome to Country” should read “Acknowledgement of the Traditional Owners”.

 

 

5          BUSINESS ARISING

 

5.1       Use of Foundation Acknowledgement (Item 8.1 of previous meeting)

 

            RECOMMENDATION         (Russo/Gale)

           

            That Committee notes and thanks the Lord Mayor for separating the use of the Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and the Foundation Acknowledgement.

 

5.2       Appointment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Project Officer (Item 8.5 of previous meeting refers)

 

It was noted that the subject position was currently being regraded and accordingly, had not been advertised to date.

 

5.3       Western Sydney NAIDOC Dinner Dance 2011 (Item 9.1 of previous meeting refers)

 

Twelve (12) tickers were available for distribution to Committee Members and partners, numbers dependent.

           

5.4       Membership by Kerrie Kenton (Item 9.2 of previous meeting refers)

 

            Hard copies of committee membership forms would be forwarded to all members.

 

            It was suggested that a copy of the form also be made available on Council’s website.

 

6.         Burramatta NAIDOC Planning Update

 

A Burramatta NAIDOC Planning meeting was held prior to the formal Advisory Committee meeting where members of Council’s Major Events team had outlined the proposals for NAIDOC Family Day 2011 to be held on Saturday 9 July 2011.

 

 

7.         Heritage Centre Exhibition and Consultation with Aboriginal People/Organisations

 

It was noted that a recipient of a 2010 Heritage Grant to carry out research on Duck Creek, including a history of Aboriginal Persons in the area, was required to consult with this Committee. The consultation with the Committee, however, did not occur. Consultations were held with Aboriginal people including the Darug Tribal Corporation.

 

Both the Heritage Centre and the Community Capacity Building Team acknowledged that there was a need to police such grants more closely in future.

 

8.         Redevelopment of the Parramatta Heritage Centre Core Interpretation Space

 

Ms Kyle advised that Council was investigating the redesign of the core of the Parramatta Heritage centre to provide increased exhibition space.

 

A consultant had been engaged to consult with various groups in relation to the proposed works including consultation with Aboriginal representatives in Parramatta.

 

The Heritage Centre requested that the Committee advise the consultant on ways of consulting with Aboriginal people.

 

It was suggested that the proposed consultation process be discussed at the next meeting of the Committee.

 

9.         Request from Agencies/Services for Committee Members to carry out Welcome to Country/Acknowledgement of Country

 

Ms Kyle advised that Council leading up to NAIDOC was regularly approached by persons/organisations seeking Aboriginal people to carry out a talk or Welcome to Country/Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners and sought advice on how such requests should be handled.

 

The requests were generally for someone who could assist without charging for their time/ work.

 

Discussion continued on the matter of which individuals Council engaged to perform Welcome to Country. Ms Kyle noted that Council possessed a list of contacts which had been prepared by the previous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Project Officer following a 12 month consultation process with relevant persons/organisations including the Parramatta Koori Interagency and members of this Committee

 

            It was suggested that the list may need to be revised.

 

The Executive Committee will discuss the matter and provide their advice to Council.

 

10.       General Business/Information Share

 

10.1    Burramatta Family Fun Day

Phil Russo requested that the Council libraries erect posters advertising the Burramatta Family Fun Day to be held on Saturday 9 July 2011.

 

It was noted that only pamphlets were available this year.

 

It was also suggested that radio stations be contacted to advertise the day.

 

10.2    Building Bridges: Reconciliation Through Understanding

Phil Bradley advised that Reconciliation Western Sydney would again be running the subject course starting from 3 August 2011 in the Jubilee Room, Parramatta Town Hall. All were welcome to attend.

 

10.3    Portraits of Survival from Kinchela Boys’ Home

Mr Bradley advised that the subject exhibition would be held at Fisher Library, The University of Sydney from 26 May to 30 June 2011.

 

Note

Mr Doug Desjardines arrived at the meeting at 7.16pm during consideration of this matter.

 

10.4    Ermington West Public School – Aboriginal Culture Day

Lyn Leerson advised that Ermington West Public School had recently held an entire day of learning on Aboriginal Culture where such issues as Pemulwuy, weapons and food were discussed.

 

The day had been made possible as a result of a Parramatta City Council grant and the Community Development Support Expenditure Scheme Grants Program

 

10.5    Freedom Rides

Mr Bradley advised that the new issue of Freedom Rides was now available.

 

10.6    Dance Workshop

Donna-Lee Astill advised that Karabi were holding a dance workshop, including the use of clapping sticks and didgeridoos, at Constitution Hill on Fridays from 3pm to 5pm.

 

The organisation would also be arranging an Aboriginal health bus.

 

Ms Kyle noted that Karabi had received a Parramatta City Council grant to assist in holding the workshop.

 

10.7    Removal of Aboriginal Flags

Mr Desjardines expressed his disappointment that the Aboriginal Flags flown in proximity to the Parramatta Town Hall had been removed, possibly in association with the Winterlight event.

 

The generally poor condition of all flags flown at the Parramatta Town Hall was also noted. Ms Kyle advised the Committee that the poor state of the flags had been noted by senior Council staff on Sorry Day and action had been taken to replace them.

 

 

The meeting terminated at 7.24pm