Gunnedah Shire takes next step on reconciliation journey

Gunnedah Shire Council has developed its first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), outlining a two-year program of actions aimed at strengthening the organisation’s reconciliation journey.

The plan, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, is intended to guide councillors and council staff as the organisation works to promote a safe, welcoming, respectful and culturally inclusive community.

The council’s community and planning director and RAP executive champion, Andrew Johns, said the plan would help drive change within the organisation and the broader community.

“Recognising that change must come from within, the development of the two-year plan endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, positions our employees and our organisation to be advocates for building respectful relationships in the broader community,” he said.

“We want the Gunnedah Shire to be a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are valued and recognised as the Traditional Peoples of this land, and where full respect and understanding is extended to their histories, cultures and stories.”

The Innovate RAP is built around four key pillars: Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance.

Each pillar includes specific actions, deliverables, timelines and assigned responsibilities for implementation.

Reconciliation Action Plan executive champion Andrew Johns, project lead Debra Hilton, community representative Troy Silver, community representative Cassandra Aldridge, elected representative Cr Kate McGrath, Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council chair Jean Hands, working group representative Nikki Robertson, community representative Helen Lickorish and working group representative Marie Low with the custom artwork, ‘Ours’, created by Gamilaroi artist Sharon Wortley. Photos: supplied.

The project was led by the council’s community and social planner Debra Hilton and the community and development directorate, with support from a RAP working group comprising council staff, elected representatives and First Nations community members Helen Lickorish, Troy Silver and Cassandra Aldridge.

Gamilaroi artist Sharon Wortley created the custom artwork featured in the RAP, titled ‘Ours’. The artwork focuses on unity and provided the inspiration for the document’s graphic design.

Mr Johns said the council’s executive leadership team had commended the working group and staff who contributed to the development of the plan.

“We also acknowledge the working group’s First Nations community representatives, whose cultural insights and knowledge have played an invaluable role in developing this document and increasing our understanding of how critical it is to walk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders in the shire, to shape a united future,” he said.

“Council and the working group have already commenced the next step of our reconciliation journey – the implementation of the identified actions.”

The Reconciliation Action Plan is available to view on the Gunnedah Shire Council website.