We’re developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) to be formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia.

We are proud to have two Traditional Owner groups in the City of Monash, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and the Bunurong Peoples, who have an ancient and continuing connection to country and waters within our council area. This connection requires us to engage respectfully and genuinely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to ensure we empower and support their right to self-determination.

Our RAP will outline the approach Council will take to do this. By outlining how we will work alongside our Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our community to advance reconciliation in our workplace and across Monash.

Since 2006, RAPs have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.

While a structure for RAPs is in place from Reconciliation Australia, they are developed locally to enable organisations to continuously develop their reconciliation commitments. Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, RAPs provide tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.

Whilst this RAP is our first, it builds on Council’s extensive record of collaboration with Aboriginal people in the creation of many projects that celebrate Aboriginal people, art, cultural heritage, and local history.

Currently our RAP is in draft form while we seek further comment and feedback from our community and stakeholders.

The actions and deliverables in our Draft RAP have been informed by extensive consultation with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, community stakeholders and Council staff.

The community engagement for the development of the RAP included the creation of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RAP WG). The RAP WG met three times with representatives from our two Traditional Owner Groups (the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung and the Bunurong peoples), there were also other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members and representatives from Reconciliation Victoria and the Monash Reconciliation Group on the RAP WG.

We also held individual meetings with the elders of the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung and the Bunurong Land Councils on three occasions, and the broader community was invited to provide input via our Shape Monash engagement platform.

We’re proud to present our Draft RAP for community.

Following this consultation, the RAP will be presented to Councillors for endorsement. If endorsed by Council the RAP will be presented to Reconciliation Australia for final endorsement.

Read through our Draft RAP and provide feedback below by Friday 18 November for it to be considered.