"At its heart, Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians" ‐ Reconciliation Australia.
At the December 2024 Council Meeting, Council endorsed the redevelopment of its Third Innovate RAP for 2025-27 as part of its ongoing commitment to the advancement of Reconciliation.
The City of Greater Dandenong first adopted a formal Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in July 1995. This Statement expressed Council’s commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and acknowledged their right to live self-determining lives.
In 2008, Council made a formal statement of apology in relation to past governmental policies and the forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their parents.
In 2023 the Council formally supported the Uluru Statement of the Heart (in its entirety) through a Notice of Motion an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander VOICE to Parliament.
Council will continue to walk alongside Bunurong Land Council, as Traditional Custodians, to engage their voice and consultation in the development of Council’s Third Innovate RAP. This plan will outline how we will contribute to Reconciliation, strengthen relationships, demonstrate respect, and provide opportunities for collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in City of Greater Dandenong. We are developing our Innovate RAP in consultation with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, Traditional Owners, the wider community, and our internal Reconciliation Working Group.
The redevelopment process (and subsequent endorsed RAP) will further embed the ongoing journey of Reconciliation across our entire business.
Our RAP will focus on embedding Truth Telling within council business and the RAP will focus on the three domains as guided by Reconciliation Australia Innovate RAP Framework which are:
- Respect
- Relationships
- Opportunities
We invite all community members to share their ideas on how the Council can:
- Build and strengthen relationships
- Show respect to Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living and or working on Bunurong country and their culture
- Improve opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in City of Greater Dandenong through areas of Employment, Education, Health, Cultural preservation, and community engagement
While many actions are determined by Reconciliation Australia, we value your input on advancing Reconciliation and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and History.
Council will be undertaking formal community consultation and engagement in July 2025.
RAP Reference Group and RAP Internal Steering Committee
Two significant advancements endorsed by the Council are the proposed establishment of a RAP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group, and a RAP Internal Steering Committee.
The Reference Group will enable Council to formally seek the views and wishes of the wider Greater Dandenong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Elders who live, work, and play within our municipality.
The Reconciliation Action Plan Reference Group will uphold the rights to truth, justice, equality and self determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Find out more about this opportunity:
Download and read the RAP Reference Group Expression of Interest - 555KB
Download the Terms of Reference - 288KB
The Internal Steering Committee will ensure that the Council has the appropriate governance mechanism in place to strengthen and drive reconciliation advancement, both internally and externally.
Download the RAP Governance Structure - 28KB
To find out more about Reconciliation, visit the Reconciliation Australia website.
Council's RAP will focus on building three pillars of reconciliation:
- Respect
- Relationships
- Opportunities
The Innovate RAP framework is guided by Reconciliation Australia.
