By Bridget Cook
THE City of Casey and Greater Dandenong are united in their stance to continue reconciliation with the local Indigenous community.
Councillors from both councils voted to continue to “foster mutual respect and well being” by delivering the ‘Statement of Acknowledgement’ at all council meetings and civic functions, after the State Government deemed it optional.
The councils 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.
Last week, Casey councillor Wayne Smith and Greater Dandenong councillor Angela Long met with Indigenous cast member Christine Anu and others from the ‘Rainbow’s End’, which is currently at the Drum Theatre in Dandenong.
Cr Smith said they discussed the council’s recent motions regarding the continuance and importance of their respective council’s ‘acknowledgement statements’.