Greater Shepparton City Council are encouraging the community to have their say and help shape the next Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) - Innovate 2022-2024.
Council developed and implemented their first RAP, 'Reflect', in 2019 which marked the commencement of Council's RAP journey. This plan enabled Council to reflect upon the work it had been doing over many years, to help identify new opportunities that benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the broader community.
Council is now currently developing its second plan, 'Innovate', which focuses on creating and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by identifying key strategies and tangible measurements.
To help shape the final document, Council are encouraging the community to have their say on what reconciliation means to them and how Council can better address this moving forward.
"We are calling on the community to provide their input to help us shape the second RAP document to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage is respected, acknowledged and celebrated," Mayor Cr Kim O'Keeffe said.
"We want to understand what the community think about Council's approach to reconciliation so far and how we can better improve this positive work into the future."
Reconciliation is about working together to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. A RAP is a strategic document that includes practical actions to help drive an organisation's contribution towards reconciliation, both internally and in the wider community.
The RAP framework aims to support Council to develop respectful relationships and create meaningful opportunities under the four key frameworks of reflect, innovate, stretch and elevate.
Cr Greg James said Council is committed to reconciliation and the development of four RAP frameworks was a way to help reduce division within the community and find a just and equal society.
"Council is focused on continuing its work in this area, and the development and implementation of these RAP frameworks is a key step in the right direction," he said.
"Acknowledgement of the history of Australia must occur before true reconciliation can be achieved."
Council are encouraging the community to have their say and provide input on the Innovate RAP, via an online survey on the Shaping Greater Shepp website Shaping Greater Shepparton website.
Hardcopy surveys are also available by contacting Council on 5832 9700. Community members can also request a meeting with Council's Aboriginal Strategic Officer by following the booking instructions on the Shaping Greater Shepp website or by phoning Council.
Community feedback is open until Friday, 15 October 2021. Council will then work with Reconciliation Australia to draft the plan before it is endorsed.
To view Council's first RAP, 'Reflect' 2019-2020 visit Reconciliation Action Plan.
