Brimbank acknowledges our history and embraces the future with our support for reconciliation.
We are a diverse municipality, and the rich history and culture of our Traditional Owners are woven throughout Brimbank.
We acknowledge we are on a journey of listening and learning, and we continue to work actively in partnership with the Traditional Owners of the land and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
We are committed to reconciliation by building relationships, respect and trust between the wider Brimbank community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Our reconciliation journey
- 2008: Brimbank adopted the full motion passed by the Federal Government to say sorry to the Stolen Generations on behalf of the Australian Parliament and people.
- 2012: Council endorsed a Reconciliation Statement of Commitment (PDF 116.4KB) and extended the Federal Government’s apology to the Stolen Generations on behalf of our residents.
- 2013: Council adopts the 2013-17 ‘Reflect’ Reconciliation Action Plan and establishes the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (BATSICC).
- 2019: Council adopts the 2019-21 ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan (PDF 1.1MB).
- 2020: Council adopts the 2018-20 Reconciliation Action Plan Community Report Card (PDF 171KB)
- 2022: Council endorses a 5-year pilot program (PDF 821KB) for the Aboriginal-led Cooinda Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centre and adopts the 2019-22 Reconciliation Action Plan Community Report Card (PDF 200KB)
- 2023: Mayoral Statement (PDF 821KB) of support for the Uluru Statement of the Heart, Voices to Parliament and Makarrata Commission for the purpose of treaty and truth telling; work commences on the 2024-26 ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan.
Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs)
Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) assist organisations to embed the principles and purpose of reconciliation. To develop our RAPs, Council accesses the Reconciliation Australia Framework.
Based on the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and meaningful benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.
The four RAP types – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate – allow organisations to continuously develop their reconciliation commitments.
Council works in association with Traditional Custodians, the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (BATSICC), local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, staff and the wider community to develop each RAP.
We report on our RAP achievements through the Community Report Card process.