Item 10.4 - Attachment 2

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Minutes 3 May 2011

 

MINUTES OF THE ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE DAN MAHONEY ROOM, LEVEL 2, COUNCIL CHAMBER, PARRAMATTA ON TUESDAY, 3 MAY 2011 AT 6:17PM

______________________________________________________________

 

PRESENT

 

Doug Desjardines in the Chair, the Lord Mayor, Councillor John Chedid (retired 6.31 pm), Donna-Lee Astill, Councillor Paul Barber, Phillip Bradley, Marcia Donovan, Councillor Mark Lack (retired 7.18pm), Phil Russo and Douglas Wilson. 

 

IN ATTENDANCE

 

Grant Davies (Minute Clerk), Kerry Kenton (former member), Maggie Kyle (Community Capacity Building Officer) and Kerry Nettle (Service Manager -Community Capacity Building Team).

 

 

1    ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRADITIONAL OWNERS THE DHARUG PEOPLE

 

Douglas Desjardines made a Welcome to Country, recognising that the land upon which the meeting was being held is Barramatugal and paid respect to Elders past and present.

 

2    WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS

 

The Chairperson welcomed the Lord Mayor, Councillor John Chedid, Councillors Barber and Lack and former member Kerry Kenton to the meeting.

 

3    APOLOGIES

 

An apology was received and accepted for the absence of Bruce Astill, Bruce Gale, Lyn Leerson, Linda McDonald, Annie Nielsen, John Robertson and Anne and Greg Stonham.

 

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 Meetings held on 22 March and 30 March 2011 had previously been forwarded to each member.

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Russo/Donovan)

 

That the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meetings held on 22 March and 30 March 2011 be taken as a true record of the meeting.

 

 

6          ATTENDANCE BY THE LORD MAYOR, COUNCILLOR JOHN CHEDID

 

The Lord Mayor, Councillor John Chedid attended the meeting in response to the Committee’s concerns regarding the use of the Foundation Acknowledgement.

 

The Lord Mayor provided a background on the decision,  took on board the concerns raised by the Committee and agreed he would consider the best time during an event/ function to make the Foundation Acknowledgement

 

Note

The Lord Mayor, Councillor John Chedid retired from the meeting following consideration of this matter at 6.31pm.

 

 

7          MANAGING REQUESTS REGARDING USE OF ABORIGINAL NAMES/LANGUAGE

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Russo/Desjardines)

 

(a)       That future approaches to Council for the use of Aboriginal Names/Language be referred in the first instance to the Executive of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee for consideration. Ms Kerry Kanton be invited to attend such meetings.

(b)       Further, that the Committee agreed that Council Officer Maggie Kyle develop a brochure on the Committee’s role that could be used to increase internal and external stakeholders’ understanding of its role.

 

 

8          BUSINESS ARISING

 

8.1       Confirmation of Minutes by Council and Subsequent Discussion

           

It was noted that Council in adopting the previous minutes of the Committee had requested that future Advisory Committee minutes be similar to Council Minutes in that only movers, seconders and decisions be recorded, where possible. The Committee would need to ensure that each item discussed has a recommendation to ensure the subject is recorded in the minutes.

 

Council had also requested that Advisory Committees ensure that items discussed at meetings are relevant to the Committee’s brief and/or terms of reference.

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Russo/Donovan)

 

The Committee notes the concerns raised by Council in relation to issues addressed at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee and advises that all issues, as discussed, are close to the hearts of Committee members.

 

           

8.2       Lake Parramatta – Placement of Plaque (Minute No. 7.6 of previous meeting refers)

 

The placement of a plaque will proceed as requested by the Committee and will include the name of Mr Gilson Saunders.

 

Sorry Day will also proceed as usual.

 

 

8.3       Representations in relation to Aboriginal Prisoner held for Decade without Conviction (Minute No. 9.2 of previous meeting refers)

 

A letter has been drafted and will be sent this week.

 

8.4       Burnside Public School – Letter of Congratulations (Minute 9.3 of previous meeting refers)

 

A letter as requested has been prepared and will be forwarded this week.

 

8.5       Appointment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Project Officer (Minute 9.4 of previous meeting refers)

 

The position had not been filled and efforts are being made to regrade the position to more highly recognise the role the position plays.

 

The position will not be readvertised until the regrading occurs.

 

8.6       Indigenous Person of the Year – Letter of Acknowledgement (Minute No. 9.5 of the previous meeting refers)

 

A letter had been drafted to Sue Pinckham, however, further details were required from Mr Gale.

 

8.7       Aboriginal Content on Council Website (Minute No. 9.8 of previous meeting refers)

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Russo/Wilson)

 

No objection be raised to the content of the Council Website subject to an amendment being made to reflect that the garden beds at Lake Parramatta Reserve were designed by Kerry Kenton.

 

8.8       NAIDOC 2011 (Minute No. 9.9 of previous meeting refers)

A copy of Council’s decision of 27 April 2011 pertaining to NAIDOC was circulated to members.

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Russo/Desjardines)

 

That a NAIDOC Planning Meeting be held on Wednesday 11 May 2011 at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber Building (exact location to be advised).

 

 

9          GENERAL BUSINESS/INFORMATION SHARE

 

The following issues were raised and discussed:-

 

9.1       Visitation Issues experienced by Prisoners and Families - When inmates are placed in Country Jails away from families.

 

Note

Councillor M Lack retired from the meeting at 7.18pm at this point in the meeting.

 

9.2       ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) Brochure and “A Better Way Success Story” booklet tabled for Parramatta Library.

 

The brochure includes advice on Major ANTaR Campaigns including Aboriginal Juvenile Justice.

 

The ANTaR Annual General Meeting will be held on 7 May 2011 at the Sydney Mechanics School of Arts at 280 Pitt Street, Sydney at 10am. Guest speakers will include Sam Jeffries, Co-Chair of the National Congress of Australia’s First People and Jason Glanville, Director of the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence.

 

9.3       Current Vacancies at Parramatta City Council (as at 3 May 2011)

 

Copy of information tabled at meeting.

 

9.4       Regional Response Profile – Racism Survey – Central Western Sydney Statistical Subdivision – Prepared by UWS.

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Bradley/Desjardines)

 

(a)       That the results of the survey which contains information on the attitudes, experiences and demographics in relation to racism in the local government areas of Auburn, Holroyd and Parramatta be noted with concern.

(b)       Further, that a copy of the survey be appended to the minutes (copy appended as Attachment 1).

 

The meeting terminated at 7.34pm.