Glenelg Shire Council, VIC
Glenelg Aboriginal Partnership—National Reconciliation Week
Contact: Jane Ruge
Phone: 03 5522 2190
Email: jruge@glenelg.vic.gov.au
The Project
Aboriginal community leaders and Elders in the Glenelg Shire spoke of the importance in advocating for young people to be provided with opportunities to speak about their culture and support them to emerge into strong community leaders.
During Reconciliation Week 2019, the Glenelg Shire Council came together with local Aboriginal corporations to celebrate the Gunditjmara people, Country and Culture. A joint Citizenship Ceremony was held to Traditionally Welcome new citizens to Australia and The Shire, recognizing the Gunditjmara land as the lands and waters that they now live within. The Shire also partnered with Dhauwurrd Wurrung Elderly and Community Services to deliver temporary public art pieces through their Big Picture Project, celebrating young Aboriginal people & their culture.
Community Outcomes
The project was designed to provide Aboriginal Youth with leadership opportunities as well as the chance to create public art pieces that express their hopes and ideas for reconciliation. Public speaking and media opportunities also enabled the Young People to further spread their messages and stories.
The joint Citizenship Ceremony was also the first time a Citizenship Ceremony was held on Indigenous country, in the Glenelg Shire, with both Traditional Owners and elected members facilitating the ceremony together.
Next Steps
The Glenelg Shire Council is continuing to work in partnership with the Local Aboriginal corporations through their Aboriginal Partnership Plan, which is currently being reviewed to enter into another period of formal agreement. Key focus points to moving forward together is to continue to learn and grow in the work that is achieved, with the aim to build on increased recognition and valuing of Aboriginal culture across all levels of the Community and Shire.