Council fosters respect

By Bridget Cook
THE City of Casey has reaffirmed its commitment to the process of reconciliation and recognised the importance of our Indigenous community.
Recently, the State Government announced it will no longer be a requirement to acknowledge the traditional Aboriginal land owners at official events.
But at Tuesday night’s Casey Council meeting, councillors voted to continue to “foster mutual respect and well being” by delivering the ‘Statement of Acknowledgement’ at all council meetings and civic functions.
The council also decided to write to Premier Ted Baillieu in disappointment of the State Government’s decision to no longer support the custom, particularly the timing of it – one week before Sorry Day.
Councillor Judy Owen said she believed the council should continue with the tradition.
“We have come along way in the past 10 to 15 years to break down the barriers, and I think we should continue to do so,” she said.
Following discussion and approval from the local Indigenous community, the council will also include the words “and respect all elders past and present” in the acknowledgment.
Last week, Casey Council marked National Reconciliation Week by the raising of the Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander flag to join with the Victorian and Australian flags at the City of Casey Civic Centre.
Community representatives, including local Indigenous elders from the Wurundjeri and Bunurong communities, along with members of the City of Casey Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee and local school students, joined to acknowledge and celebrate the occasion.
City of Casey mayor Shar Balmes said the flag-raising ceremony was held each year to acknowledge the past, recognise the present and support aspirations for the future.
“We stand here today, as part of National Reconciliation Week, to recognise and celebrate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, their culture and traditions, and their importance to the Casey community,” she said at the ceremony.