Indigenous Brimbank

Brimbank has a rich Indigenous history and we acknowledge the Kulin nation of peoples as the traditional owners of the land and the Indigenous community’s right to self –determination.

We recognise the Indigenous community’s continuing spiritual connection to the land and renew our commitment to respect Indigenous beliefs, values and customs as we learn to share our lives and build a future together.

Social Justice

On 7 July 2008 as part of the NAIDOC Week celebrations we launched the Social Justice Charter.

The Social Justice Charter clearly states that Council upholds that every citizen of Brimbank is free and equal in dignity and rights and is entitled to a quality of life that allows them to reach their potential.

Council is committed to taking action in partnership with the community and other levels of government, to strive for social justice and address the social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants that cause disadvantage.

We acknowledge that the Indigenous Community suffers significant social and economic disadvantage which is demonstrated by such indicators as:

• Life expectancy - a Victorian Aboriginal man can expect to live 21 years less than a non-Aboriginal man. A Victorian Aboriginal woman can expect to live 18 years less than a non-Aboriginal woman
• Labour Force Participation – Aboriginal people in the North West Metropolitan Region of Melbourne experience higher rates of unemployment than non-Aboriginal people and
• Income – Aboriginal households in the North West Metropolitan Region of Melbourne have lower incomes than non-Aboriginal households.

Our Cultural Heritage

A total of 157 registered Aboriginal archaeological sites exist within the Brimbank; with the oldest artefacts found over 30,000 years old.

Found artefacts include bone remnants, ochre, charcoal and hearth stones. A small number of formal tools were also found, including blades and scrapers. Skeletal remains over 6,500 years old from a grave site have also been found in Green Gully.

In addition to the numerous stone and bone artefacts, scarred trees and silcrete quarry sites have been found along the Maribyrnong River, Taylors Creek and Steele Creek.

The large number of artefacts and significant sites found within the municipality highlights the area’s long and extensive occupation by Aboriginal people before European settlement.

A number of Aboriginal archaeological places are located in Brimbank Park.

The Information Centre located in the park includes an Aboriginal cultural display and provides maps and walking trails to help visitors discover the parks natural and cultural heritage.

Further Information

For more information call 9249 4000 or email info@brimbank.vic.gov.au