Council has been recognised for its reconciliation work at National, State and Local Government levels illustrating best practice in the work done with both Traditional Custodians and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community.
Awards and other important highlights from the second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2021-23 include:
- Winner of the National Local Government Award - Indigenous Category Wominjeka flags project.
- Winner of the LG Pro 2024 Local Government Award - Indigenous Category service delivery - Balit Booboop Narrkwarren Indigenous Health Partnerships Initiative program.
- Winner of the 2024 Reconciliation Victoria Maggollee Awards- Indigenous Category for the Balit Booboop Narrkwarren Indigenous Health Partnerships Initiative program.
- The Waa and Bulln Fire Pit was awarded the 2023 LG Pro Award for Excellence in First Nations Community Partnership Initiative. This initiative was in partnership with the Bunurong and Wurundjeri Land Councils.
- Notice of Motion endorsed by Council declaring support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in its entirety and affirming support of YES Vote for the National referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Other key deliverables completed and achievements Cultural Recognition:
- Council erected acknowledgement plaques across all main Council buildings with a statement endorsed by Bunurong Land Council.
- Acknowledgment of Country lanyards for 500+ staff produced and meeting room cards created.
- Over 68 ceremonial Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies held during the last RAP.
Community Engagement:
- Annual Reconciliation Week events held (300+ attendees).
- National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) NAIDOC grant partnership with Bunurong Land Council and wider community.
- Providing for community led NAIDOC Week celebrations and Blak Market.
- Council partnered with Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV), Multicultural Communities of Victoria and Nairm Maa Djambana, in holding a National Referendum YES Campaign forum.
Health and Wellbeing:
- Mums and Bubs Antenatal Yarning Circle program rolled out with Nairm Maa Djambana and Dandenong and District Aborigines Cooperative (DDACL) across two Local Government Areas (LGAs).
- Community engagement partnership with Quit Victoria and Aboriginal health services, in delivery of smoking cessation initiatives.
- Creation of Children’s Acknowledgment films.
Youth and Sports:
- 2023 Inaugural Koorie Statewide Junior Basketball Carnival held at Dandenong Stadium in partnership with Bunurong Sports Association.
- Statewide Koorie Senior Netball/ Football Carnival (5,000+ participants) delivered in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL) held at Tatterson Park and Springers Leisure Centre.
Arts and Culture:
- Link Road, Noble Park formally renamed and Gazetted to Muderra Way.
- Muderra Way art project.
- Wominjeka Flag project.
- Railway Parade Public Arts project.
- Exhibitions e.g., WILAM BIIK with 3,200+ attendees.
- Performances by Aboriginal creatives, Kutcha Edwards and the Sapphires at the Drum Theatre.
Caring for Country and Environmental Collaboration:
- Contracting of the Bunurong Bushlands Ranger team, twice a week to support two-way capacity building and creation of urban forests.
- Sponsorship of eight local Aboriginal young men, to attend the Dardimunwurro Cultural exchange program for youth
