The City of Melbourne acknowledges that Indigenous Australians were the first people of this land and have strived to retain their culture and identify through the period of non-Indigenous settlement, for more than two centuries.
Reconciliation Action Plan 2011–14
The City of Melbourne’s 'Reconciliation Action Plan 2011–14' outlines our strategic approach to reconciliation over the next three years. The decision to enter into a third action plan with Reconciliation Australia is a demonstration of our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Through the plan the City of Melbourne will:
- build and maintain respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- show leadership by demonstrating and encouraging respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their cultures
- identify opportunities within our organisational business objectives for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The City of Melbourne launched its Reconciliation Action Plan 2011-14 on Friday 10 February at the opening night of the first ever Melbourne Indigenous Arts Festival. The plan is a positive acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture – not just culture as an historical archive, but a living, contemporary set of stories and beliefs. It was unanimously endorsed by the council in 2011 and includes some significant initiatives.
On Sunday 27 May, as part of National Reconciliation Week, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag will be permanently raised outside the Town Hall and the City of Melbourne is proud to take a lead role in reconciliation. As a capital city council we are well-placed to lift the profile of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island arts, culture and activity in our city.
This reconciliation action plan has been shaped by advisors drawn from Victoria’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities. It has been a true partnership and the exchange of ideas will continue. Plans such as this give us clear directions to move away from the divisive, provocative issues threatening to overshadow reconciliation and towards gatherings that unite rather than divide us. The reconciliation action plan will strengthen our advocacy for respect and cultural awareness and we give thanks to all who devoted so much time to bringing this plan to fruition.
Download the Reconciliation Action Plan (PDF, 2.7MB)
(A text only version of the report will be available soon)
Partnerships and reconciliation
Partnerships are essential to the successful implementation of the City of Melbourne’s Reconciliation Action Plan. It was developed in partnership with Reconciliation Victoria and in consultation with the Indigenous community.
For more information, visit Reconciliation Victoria or Reconciliation Australia.