Brimbank is a diverse and multi-cultural community enriched with the history and culture of our Traditional Custodians, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who call Brimbank home. Their heritage is woven throughout the fabric of our municipality.
The Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024 – 26 (PDF 1.9MB) is a reflection of this and maps the next steps of our journey, advancing reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
The RAP is uniquely tailored to Brimbank outlining our priorities and actions to achieve our vision while exploring new opportunities. Central to this is the importance of strong leadership and a commitment to listening, acknowledging, and meaningfully engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, both within our organisation and in the wider community. Together, we strive to lead positive change.
This is our third RAP and builds on the strengths and achievements of the first and second RAP 2013-17 and RAP 2019-21(Extended) respectively. It has been developed in consultation with:
- the Traditional Custodians - Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation
- Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (BATSICC)
- Reconciliation Working Group - a cross-council senior management level collaboration, and
- Brimbank based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The RAP themes and strategic directions are:
- Relationships - building and maintaining strong, meaningful and respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and network groups.
- Respect - demonstrating respect to the people and the culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander as a commitment towards reconciliation.
- Opportunities - working in partnership with other relevant stakeholders to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have equal access to local opportunities.
We adopted its Reconciliation Statement of Commitment in April 2012 which laid the foundation for the first Reconciliation Action Plan 2013-17. Both the Statement of Commitment and the RAP have contributed to our reconciliation journey.
Since the development of the first RAP in 2013, we’ve established BATSICC to provide advice on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concerns and needs, as well as on the ongoing implementation of our RAPs.
Reconciliation Action Plan - Community Report Card
See the key achievements in relation to this RAP on the report cards below:
Achievements during the first 18 months: Reconciliation Action Plan Community Report Card 2019-21 (PDF 171KB)
Achievements in years 2-3 and extended to December 2022: Reconciliation Action Plan Community Report Card 2019-22 (PDF 199KB)
Extended to December 2023 - Innovative Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-21 - Extended to December 2023 Community Report Card - 2 year period
Achievements from June 2023 to July 2024 and extended to December 2023 - Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-24 report card (PDF 613KB)