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
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
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
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