Reconciliation vision

The City’s vision for reconciliation will be driven by community engagement practices, innovative projects, policy practices, organisational reflection, improvement and positive promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultural understandings.

We are committed to understanding the impacts of our colonial past, the injustices it has created for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our need to address the complex underlying issues with a strong focus on change and improving our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, in particular, the Whadjuk Noongar people.

We aim to generate positive impacts by taking into account the diverse needs of the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in decision making. We will strongly advocate the interests of this community and foster community cohesion by encouraging active participation in culturally appropriate projects and events. We aim to advocate and influence organisational awareness to strengthen our capacity, governance and practices to ensure responsiveness to emerging issues that impact the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. We aim to be a leader in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and engagement.

We have a vision to be recognised as a culturally sensitive local government that works closely with key partners to address local issues including homelessness and community safety among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

In December 2020, Council resolved unanimously to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart. A key part of the Uluru Statement is a First Nations Voice to Parliament, protected by the Constitution. Ahead of the referendum on 14 October 2023, we heard from Vincent locals about their support for a Voice to Parliament. See the videos.

Our Reconciliation Action Plans (RAP)

RAPs provide a framework for organisations to realise their vision for reconciliation. RAPs are practical plans of action built on relationships, respect and opportunities. They create social change and economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

There are four types of RAP, determined by Reconciliation Australia, to reflect the stages of reconciliation progress, being Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate.

The City of Vincent began its reconciliation journey in 2017 with a Reflect RAP, completing its first Innovate RAP in September 2022 and commencing its second Innovate RAP in August 2022.

Throughout our previous two RAPs, the City has strengthened its relationship with the local Noongar Elders, community and celebrated Noongar culture and tradition through numerous events, activities and workshops. We have created a more empathetic and culturally sensitive workplace and increased our procurement from Aboriginal businesses.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2024

The City's second Innovate RAP was adopted at the Ordinary Council Meeting on 23 August 2022. This RAP was designed in partnership with the City's Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, internal staff, stakeholder groups and most importantly, our Aboriginal Elders. There are 80 actions in the second Innovate RAP that the City has committed to achieving within a two-year time period. Whilst the sharing of Noongar history, tradition and culture remains important, this RAP has some high-level deliverables including meeting an employment target of three per cent of staff who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, developing a strategy to achieve three per cent procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses along with exploring Aboriginal names for unnamed places or laneways and reviving traditional names of parks and reserves.

Reconciliation Action Plan 2022 - 2024 | Innovate

First Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021

The City's second RAP, the Innovate RAP, was adopted at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 30 April 2019. This RAP aimed to continue to build on the meaningful relationships we developed during the implementation of our Reflect RAP and continue to grow our community’s awareness and appreciation of Noongar culture, as well as our sense of pride in our diversity and rich Noongar history and tradition. The City continued to provide staff and Council with opportunities to immerse themselves in Noongar culture and ensured that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff have the opportunity to celebrate and share their history, tradition and culture.

Reconciliation Action Plan 2019 - 2021 | Innovate

Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan 2017-2018

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 4 April 2017, Council adopted the City's first RAP. The Reflect RAP was launched with a community event on Saturday 27 May 2017 in conjunction with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum during Reconciliation Week. Throughout this RAP, the City strengthened its relationship with the local Noongar community and celebrated Noongar culture and tradition through a number of events, activities and workshops. Internally, we strived to create a more empathetic and culturally sensitive workplace which resulted an update of our Welcome to Country Policy to include Noongar language, as well as mandating a Welcome to Country at major City funded events.

Reconciliation Action Plan 2017 - 2018 | Reflect

RAP reports

Organisations

We also have many Aboriginal-run organisations that aim to connect with Aboriginal people within the City of Vincent, servicing their various needs and requirements.

Aranmore Catholic College Aboriginal Student Support Program

Central Institute of Technology’s Koolark Centre

Gurlongga Njininj Day Care Centre

Derbal Yerrigan Health Service Inc.

Aboriginal Health Council of WA

Indigenous Community Volunteers

Noongar Radio

Nyoongar Outreach

Kuditj

Boordiya (Bosses) Reference Group

The City of Vincent Elders Reference Group, the Vincent Boordiya, was formed in 2021 as one of the actions of the Reconciliation Action Plan 2019 – 2021. The Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2022 – 2024 reaffirms the City’s commitment to continuing to work with the Vincent Boordiya together with the Whadjuk Noongar community towards genuine reconciliation and truth-telling. We acknowledge their contribution to our City:

• Uncle Ben Taylor
• Uncle Albert McNamara
• Aunty Irene McNamara
• Aunty Muriel Bowie
• Rose Walley
• Cheryl Martin
• Cyril Yarran
• Rodney Cox

Internal Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (IRAPWG)

Our IRAPWG's purpose is to assist in the implementation of the RAP, with the aim to help the organisation achieve its commitment to greater reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. The group ensure RAP actions within each directorate are undertaken and completed.

Partnerships

Alongside our working groups, we have strengthened our relationships with local Aboriginal organisations including Noongar Radio, the Aboriginal Health Council of WA, Nyoongar Outreach Services as well as Aranmore Catholic College.

Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country

Recognition of Noongar Boodjar culture and history starts with Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country.

The establishment of a policy shows respect to Noongar culture and tradition and encourages the use of Noongar language within our organisation and wider community.

The process of Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country recognises the unique position of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australian culture and history as the Traditional Owners of the land. It is important that this policy is incorporated as part of official protocols and events to enable the wider community to share in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

This policy reaffirms that the Whadjuk people from the Noongar nation are and always will be the Traditional Owners of the land upon which the City of Vincent is located and ensures that the correct protocols are used by the City of Vincent for Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country.

• 4.1.30 Recognition of Noongar Boodjar Culture and History through Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country

Guidelines and protocols

The guidelines and protocols for external stakeholders has been designed to provide guidance and direction to groups and organisations when planning and facilitating a Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country in the City of Vincent.

Guidelines and Protocols for External Stakeholders

Words

Source: Noongar Word List from Kaartdijin Noongar - Noongar Knowledge

Learn with Bec Garlett

Bec Garlett shared some lessons in Noongar language with us. See all videos. 

Charmaine Cole

Charmaine Cole was born in Subiaco.

Her language group is from Gnaarla Karla Booja and Wagyl Kiap Noongar Nation. She was raised in Belmont, Western Australia in a single-parent household. Her mother is a survivor of the Stolen Generations and was born in Katanning Western Australia. 

City of Vincent commissioned a series of artworks from Charmaine to use in various supports, including our Reconciliation Action Plan document.

You can view more of her artwork here. 

Jade Dolman

Jade Dolman is a Whadjuk/Balladong Nyoongar (Mother’s side), Eastern Arrente (Father’s side) heritage woman from Perth. 

She is a visual artist and remains connected to her culture through painting and family.  Jade creates murals and public art in Perth, Western Australia.

Jade's artwork "Boodjar Nakolak Yanginy" (Sharing the Knowledge of the Land) is currently  displayed in the City of Vincent Council Chamber and on the City of Vincent ranger's cars.

The blue represents the old waterways, which once had a rich biodiversity of plants and animals, the green is the land and the warm colours are the people and animals. The black dot in the top left represents the location of the City of Vincent office.

You can view more of her artwork here.

Rohin Kickett

Rohin Kickett is a Ballardong Noongar contemporary Artist and Photographer.

Rohin has worked with the City of Vincent with his photography and contributions to his artwork.  Rohin’s artworks are inspired by his family and their stories of strength and survival and his own experience growing up in Perth. His artwork below represents the Noongar region and is currently displayed in the City of Vincent administration building.

Banks Reserve - Mixed Media 

You can view more of his artwork here.

Darryl Bellotti

Darryl Bellotti is a Yamatji/Nyoongar Indigenous man based in Perth. He works as a Graphic Designer and Consultant for both the Government and private sectors.

With experience in other fields such as Youth Outreach and other community engagement activities, Darryl has strong links to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities and works closely with each to bridge the gap in understanding how to grow the foundations for Aboriginal culture to thrive in the wider community and abroad.

You can view more of his artwork here. 

Vincent Admin Building Windows 

Read more about the Noongar Six Seasons here.

Vincent Admin Building Meeting Rooms

Read more about the local birds here.

Kevin Bynder

Kevin Bynder (Kevvynders Art) was born in Perth to Whadjuk-Yuet Nyungar Mother and a Widi-Badimia Yamatji Father.

Apart from the City of Vincent, Kevin has also been commissioned by over 30 sporting clubs to create their uniforms. Some clubs include the West Coast Eagles, Port Adelaide, Perth Scorchers, Fremantle Dockers, and the Perth Wildcats. Additionally, he has designed a $2 coin for the Perth Mint. Besides being an artist, Kevin has worked in schools, teaching Indigenous students from remote communities.

Kevin’s art is displayed on the City’s uniforms. It can be seen with the team at Beatty Park Leisure on their winter jackets and Swim School rashies, as well as our polo shirts worn by staff across the City.

The design shows both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people coming together to be as one on the Australian shore.

The circles on the top and the bottom in the green, white and blue show some of the islands of the Torres Strait surrounded by the water. The Aboriginal colours in the middle represent all Indigenous people of Australia the traditional owners of the land. The 2 hands represent the generations of people who have passed through this land and leave their ancestral DNA behind for the future generation. Together both Torres Strait Islanders and Indigenous Australians keep their connection to the land.

You can view more of his artworks here.

Seantelle Walsh

Seantelle Walsh, known as Kardy Kreations is a contemporary Noongar Artist, born and raised in Perth. She has worked across the Western Australian community under her trade name Kardy Kreations. She delivers painting workshops to various schools and organisations, encouraging cultural diversity with a contemporary perspective on Aboriginal Art and Culture.

Her mother’s paternal heritage has a connection to the Perenjori Balardong area and her mother’s maternal ancestry connects with the Wilman Tribe from Gnaala Kala Boodja region. Seantelle identifies strongly with her culture and proudly displays connection through her work. Being the eldest of six children, she shares a strong sense of family and community.

Seantelle’s artwork can be seen within the tiles of Beatty Park’s 25m indoor pool. The purpose of the Aboriginal tile artwork is to give fun and exciting points of interest in the pool. Swim School uses tile artwork as a tool to assist when teaching.

You can view more of her artworks here.

Anniversary of National Apology Day

13 February annually

On 13 February 2008, then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, particularly to the Stolen Generation, whose lives had been blighted by past government policies of forced child removal and assimilation.

Close the Gap Day

March annually

Close the Gap is an Indigenous health campaign that aims to achieve equality in health and life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within a generation. Every year in March, City of Vincent organises a Close the Gap Day.

Close the Gap Day is an opportunity for us to acknowledge that there is a gap in life expectancy, health, education, incarceration, housing and employment between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Australia. Aboriginal people today still face many adversities and together, we can work to close the gap.

The City takes the opportunity to acknowledge the adversities that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face and understand how we can work together to create greater equality for all Australians.

Reconciliation Week

May annually

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

During NRW, we take time to look back at our reconciliation journey over the past few years. We celebrate the contribution our Vincent Boordiyas (Noongar Elder bosses), Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group members and others in the community who have supported us.

National Sorry Day

May annually

National Sorry Day, or the National Day of Healing, is an annual event that has been held in Australia on 26 May since 1998.

The event remembers and commemorates the mistreatment of the country’s Indigenous peoples as part of an ongoing process of reconciliation.

NAIDOC Week

July annually

NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. 

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day

August annually

This day provides an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal children, as well as learn about crucial impacts on the community and culture.