In February, Council committed to the creation of an
Aboriginal Cultural Centre, in line with the “Eora Journey”
project envisaged in Sustainable Sydney 2030 to celebrate Indigenous culture.
Eora Journey will create an
internationally significant story telling corridor extending from a meeting
place in Redfern, through Prince Alfred Park and Hyde Park
to Mrs Macquarie’s Chair.
During consultations on Sustainable Sydney 2030, we
interviewed over 200 people from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
community and 12 Indigenous community leaders attended the City’s 2030
Roundtable. Participants focused on the need for recognition and celebration of
Indigenous identity and culture, which could be achieved through the Aboriginal
Cultural Centre.
To begin developing the Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Council
this month resolved to form an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory
Panel and an internal project Working Group.
The Working Group will be made up of two Councillors, five
City officers and two external members with expertise to help us progress the
Eora Journey and Aboriginal Cultural
Centre projects.
The Advisory Panel will provide Council with input for these
exciting projects as well as a wide range of issues impacting on our Indigenous
communities-cultural activities and events, training and employment, business
development, recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and
heritage in the public domain, and the City’s policies and protocols.
The City will soon call for nominations for Indigenous
members on the Advisory Panel, which will include two Aboriginal elders; two
Aboriginal young people under 25 years; six Aboriginal community representatives;
three City officers; and Independent Councillor Marcelle
Hoff as co-Chair. The members will also elect an Aboriginal
co-chair at the inaugural meeting later this year.
For more Information: www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/documents/meetings/2008/Council/020608/080602_COUNCIL_ITEM08.pdf
Source:
CLOVER’S eNEWS – Friday 13 June
2008 – No. 401