Gannawarra Shire Council, local health agencies and Victoria Police have recommitted to maintaining and enhancing positive relationships with the First Nations community, signing a Partnership Agreement during recent Reconciliation Week celebrations.
First developed in 2016, the Partnership Agreement outlines 10 principles that the Kerang Aboriginal Elders and Leaders Group, Gannawarra Shire Council, Northern District Community Health, Kerang District Health, Cohuna District Hospital, Mallee District Aboriginal Services and Victoria Police will strive to work towards.
“Council is proud to have developed strong ties with our Indigenous community, especially through the Kerang Aboriginal Elders Council, Northern District Community Health and Mallee District Aboriginal Services,” council chief executive Tom O’Reilly said.
“The Partnership Agreement commits all parties to work together by building trust and respect, developed through an investment of time and resources.”
The principles outlined in the agreement include:
• Encouraging the development of a respect for, and an understanding of, Aboriginal people, their history and culture;
• Communicating the significance of cultural heritage of Aboriginal people and help to promote development of mutual respect and understanding;
• An acknowledgement of developing and strengthening relationships by open communication, clarifying agendas and identifying areas of mutuality and divergence;
• An adherence to the principles adopted by the National Health Agreement on Closing the Gap in Indigenous Health Outcomes and the Victorian Closing the Gap Implementation Plan;
• An acknowledgement of the principles outlined in the United Nations Declaration on Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and
• Working together to develop and implement a Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan.
“Council looks forward to strengthening the relationship between all parties involved in the Partnership Agreement and achieving the outcomes listed in this important document,” Mr O’Reilly said.