Item 10.5 - Attachment 1

Minutes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee 24 May 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, 24 MAY 2011 AT 6:04 PM

______________________________________________________________

 

PRESENT

 

John Robertson in the Chair, Donna-Lee Astill, Phillip Bradley (arrived 6.09 pm), Doug Desjardines, Marcia Donovan, Bruce Gale (arrived 6.31pm), Lyn Leerson (arrived 6.16pm), Linda McDonald, Annie Nielsen (arrived 6.09 pm), Phil Russo and Doug Wilson.

 

 

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

 

John Robertson 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    APOLOGIES

 

An apology was received and accepted for the absence of Bruce Astill and Anne Stonham and it was noted that Mr Bruce Gale would be arriving late at the meeting.

 

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 Meetings held on 3 May 2011 had previously been forwarded to each member.

 

RECOMMENDATION                     (Russo/Wilson)

 

That the minutes of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Meeting held on 3 May 2011 be taken as a true record of the meeting subject to “Kerry Kenton” being altered to read “Kerrie Kenton”.

 

 

8          BUSINESS ARISING

 

8.1       Use of Foundation Acknowledgement (Item 6 of previous meeting refers)

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Russo/Desjardines)

 

It be noted that the Committee feels strongly in relation to the use of the Acknowledgement of Traditional Owners being carried out concurrently with the Foundation Acknowledgement and seeks confirmation that the acknowledgements will not be held in conjunction with each other.

 

Note

Phillip Bradley and Annie Nielsen arrived at the meeting at 6.09 pm during consideration of this matter.

 

8.2       Sorry Day

 

Invitations to attend the Sorry Day event had now been circulated to all members.

 

8.3       Burnside Public School – Letter of Congratulations (Item 8.4 of previous meeting refers)

 

The requested letter of congratulations had been drafted and was currently with management for signature.

 

8.4       Representations in Relation to Aboriginal Prisoner held for Decade without Conviction (Item 8.3 of previous meeting refers)

 

The letter as requested had now been forwarded to Aboriginal Legal Centre, Parramatta.

 

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

 

As the position is still being regraded, it had not been advertised to date.

 

8.6       Indigenous Person of the Year – Letter of Acknowledgement (Item 8.6 of previous meeting refers)

 

The requested letter had been drafted and would be forwarded shortly.

 

Marcia Donovan was thanked for his assistance in relation to this matter.

 

8.7       NAIDOC 2011 (Item 8.8 of previous meeting refers)

 

It was agreed that this issue would be listed as a standing item on future agendas, with the sub committee to provide an updating report at each meeting.

 

Note

 

Lyn Leerson arrived at the meeting at 6.16 pm during consideration of this matter.

 

8.8       ANTaR Brochure

 

The Central Library had subscribed to ANTaR  are currently investigating how the information contained therein can be promoted to the wider community.

 

8.9       Parramatta City Council Current Employment Vacancies

 

An up-to-date list will be emailed to members before the end of the week.

 

8.10    Regional Response Profile – Racism Survey

 

Sections of this research report will be attached to the June Council Report.  

 

 

9.         GENERAL BUSINESS

 

9.1       Western Sydney NAIDOC Dinner Dance 2011-05-26

 

The subject dance will be held on 15 July 2011 at a cost of $35 per head.

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Astill/Desjardines)

 

That Council give consideration to the purchase of tickets for attendance by interested Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee members.

 

9.2       Membership for Kerrie Kenton

 

Maggie Kyle will forward an appropriate application form for membership to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee for completion by Ms Kenton. It was noted that provided applicantsmeet stipulated criteria, a recommendation to Council to accept their membership would automatically be made . It was also noted that any member of the Committee can distribute the application forms.

 

 

9.3       Visitation Issues Experienced by Inmates and Families

 

Mr Desjardines referred to Item 9.1 of the previous meeting and noted that the problem not only related to city residents being placed in country jails but also country residents being placed in city jails away from families.

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Desjardines/Astill)

 

(a)       That Council be requested to forward the Committee’s concerns to the Attorney General in relation to the practice of residents from the Parramatta Local Government Area being incarcerated away from their families in such areas as Bathurst Jail in contravention of the recommendations contained within the Royal Commission’s inquiry into Black Deaths in Custody.

 

(b)       Further, that a copy of the letter sent to the Attorney General be provided to the Placement Officer at Silverwater Jail, Mr Peter Townsend.

 

Note

Mr Bruce Gale arrived at the meeting at 6.31pm during consideration of this matter.

 

9.4       ANTaR Website

 

Mr Bradley noted that the ANTaR website contained useful resource materials and fact sheets in relation to major issues including juvenile justice,

‘Closing the Gap’ relating to life expectancy and stolen wages/trust funds.

 

9.5       National Reconciliation Week

 

Mr Bradley tabled a circular from Reconciliation Australian relating to a ‘Let’s talk and walk recognition’ to be held on 31 May and 2 June 2011 to mark the important dates of the anniversary of the 1967 referendum and the anniversary of the Mabo land rights decision.

 

A copy of the flyer will be circulated to members via email prior to the end of the week.

 

9.6       Free Health Checks

 

Valerie Lloyd, Aboriginal Health Worker for Blacktown Community Health, had advised Maggie Kyle that the Blacktown Health Service has a mobile health van available to attend local events and provide free health checks for Indigenous persons.

 

Ms Lloyd can be contacted via veronica.lloyd@swahs.health.nsw.gov.au

 

9.7       Appreciation to Donna-Lee Astill

 

RECOMMENDATION         (Desjardines/Robertson)

 

That appreciation be extended to Ms Donna-Lee Astill and her  employer, Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service  for the recent outstanding efforts in relation to the relocation of a prisoner from Goulburn Jail.

 

 

9.8       Educational System

 

Linda McDonald provided an insight into difficulties that can be faced by new Aboriginal teachers in the Education system.

 

9.9       Holroyd City Council – Commemorations

 

Lyn Leerson commented on an article that had recently appeared in the local press in relation to a commemoration of the 1805 Reconciliation Stone.

 

In addition, Holroyd City Council had erected a ‘Sea of Hands’ in the foyer of the Chambers in conjunction with Sorry Day.

 

9.10    Best Wishes to Bob Leslie

 

RECOMMENDATION         (McDonald/Kenton)

 

That a card expressing the best wishes of the Committee be forwarded to Bob Leslie at Nepean Hospital.

 

 

 

The meeting terminated at 7.15pm