Published on Thursday, 25 July 2024 at 11:48:57 AM
Council has reaffirmed its commitment to achieving positive cultural outcomes and furthering reconciliation within the community by adopting a Reconciliation Action Plan at Tuesday night’s Council meeting.
It builds on Council’s focus to elevate cultural recognition and advance reconciliation outcomes through a Menang-first approach to Albany’s Bicentenary in 2026.
In 2003 the City became the first local government in Western Australia to adopt an Aboriginal Accord, committing the City to work with the Aboriginal people of Albany to promote a greater understanding of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal culture.
Since then, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP) have replaced Accords as the recognised and more effective framework to progress commitments and relationships that deliver positive cultural outcomes within communities.
There are four stages of RAP’s; Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. The City has worked with Reconciliation Australia to develop a Reflect RAP which aims to build strong foundations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Albany Mayor Greg Stocks congratulated Council for its leadership in endorsing the RAP.
“We’re committed to walking together with our Menang-Noongar community, but actions speak louder than words and adopting this RAP is about taking positive action forward and doing it together,” he said.
“Our relationships with the Menang-Noongar people have been very strong over the years. Those relationships remain very important to us and we’ll continue to work positively and proactively with Elders and their community.
“This is a journey we’re on together and as we look towards 2026 our aim is to foster a shared understanding and appreciation that paves the way for the future.”
Among the positive initiatives the City has achieved in partnership with the Menang-Noongar community is the dual naming more than 60 places of cultural significance, acknowledgement of NAIDOC Week, a Menang-First approach to Albany 2026, and partnering with Wagyl Kaip to establish a cultural advisory sub-committee for Albany 2026.
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