Greater Shepparton City Council officially launched its second Reconciliation Action Plan, Innovate July 2023 to July 2025, today at a ceremony with staff, key organisations and community members.
The launch comes following Council’s formal adoption of its second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Innovate at the June Council Meeting. Council’s second plan aims to further advance and develop collaborative relations with First Nations People and the broader community, following the work achieved during its first RAP Reflect which was adopted in 2019.
At today’s launch, guests were officially welcomed with a Welcome to Country before hearing from Council’s Director Community and Chair of the RAP Working Group, Louise Mitchell, who spoke on the development of the RAP and Council’s journey so far.
“Council has been on an important reconciliation journey since 2019, and this second RAP Innovate is another significant step as we continue on this path. The Innovate plan was carefully developed by Council’s RAP Working Group who helped informed the extensive consultation which was undertaken over a 12-month period,” she said.
“The Innovate RAP outlines several key actions for the organisation, with each of these supported by measurable timelines and deliverables. The actions aim to empower our First Nations community through self-determination, equality and acknowledgement of the full history of First Nations People.”
Council’s Innovate RAP features artwork from local Yorta Yorta artists Troy Firebrace and Tammy-Lee Atkinson. Attendees at the launch heard more about each of the artworks which were designed for the RAP, including the meaning behind the designs and what they represent.
Councillor Anthony Brophy unveiled the two artworks at the launch which will be permanently installed in the entryway to the Council Offices.
“We are extremely pleased to be able to install this artwork, which was commissioned especially for our second RAP, in the Council Offices for staff and visitors to enjoy. There is an important message behind each of the artworks, with each telling its own individual story curated by Troy and Tammy,” he said.
“A big thank you to both artists for allowing us to showcase their work and acknowledge our regions rich ties to Yorta Yorta people. Council is proud to have launched its second RAP today to show our commitment to continuing on our reconciliation journey.”
Read the Innovate RAP here
