Carnarvon action plan partnered with Reconciliation Australia, Aboriginal corporations and the local community

The Shire of Carnarvon, a community compromised of 21.7 per cent Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people, will formally endorse its first Reconciliation Action Plan after receiving feedback from Reconciliation Australia. Actions are grouped into four “reflect” pillars — relationships, respect, opportunities and governance — and goals and actions are identified in each category. The action plan will be implemented over 12 months after it was voted unanimously during the council meeting on Tuesday last week. Yinggarda — the traditional custodians of the land — Baiyungu, Thalanji, Thudgari, Malgana and Wadjarri peoples all have significant cultural connections to the land in which the Shire is situated. Shire president Eddie Smith said the council was committed to reconciliation and forging strong connections with the traditional owners in the community. “Council is taking an initial step on the journey to reconciliation by focusing on learning, promoting and celebrating more about the world’s oldest continuing cultures, and by building our cultural competency,” he said. “We will continue to work with the Yinggarda people and the wider community to make positive and meaningful advancements through the actions and deliverables of this Reconciliation Action Plan.”