JOIN THE CONGRESSMOB
M E M B E R S H I P
I S
F R E E
Protecting our rights needs strong leaders and unity amongst our Peoples.
Congress is a national voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples with
members from each State and Territory.
WHO WE ARE
The National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples (Congress) is a unifying
voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia.
We are an independent and representative body - a national voice,
a leader, an advocate and a source of advice and expertise for all
Australians.
Our members are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and
organisations. Through their participation and decision-making, we will
defend our rights and protect our unique heritage as the First Peoples of
Australia. Congress strives for equality, freedom and opportunity. We are
focused on our Peoples’ ability to make decisions and to control our lives
and communities.
MEMBERSHIP IS FREE AND ALWAYS
OPEN TO INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANISATIONS.
WHY JOIN CONGRESSMOB?
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OUR PURPOSE
Be representative
Lead Peoples
Protect rights
Secure futures
Build relationships
Identify solutions
OUR AGENDA
Unity
Give our Peoples a say
Defend and promote rights
Create strong partnerships
Build a sustainable organisation
[email protected]
nationalcongress.com.au
“ I am a Congress
member because
Congress was set
up to defend and
protect our rights”
Freecall 1800 266 477
ELECTIONS
ELECTIONS
NATIONAL CONGRESS
CHAMBER ONE
CHAMBER TWO
( ANNUAL MEETING )
National & Peak
Representative Bodies
Organisations
40 DELEGATES
40 DELEGATES
40 DELEGATES
ELECTIONS
ELECTIONS
ELECTIONS
2 DIRECTORS
2 DIRECTORS
2 DIRECTORS
ETHICS
CO UN CI L
CO N GRESS
S T A F F
1 2 0
M E M B E R S
CHAMBER THREE
Individuals
ELECTIONS
NATIONAL
BOARD
CONGRESS MAP
M EM B E R S
2 CO-CHAIRS
8 DIRECTORS
Congress was set up in April 2010 as a company limited by guarantee and registered
under the Corporations Act.
Congress is a member-led organisation. In just a short time we have grown to
have thousands of members from every State and Territory. We also have the
support and participation of hundreds of member organisations.
Congress members include:
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GOVERNANCE
The National Board is led by member-elected male and female Co-Chairs,
who along with the other six Directors, represent our members and set the
priorities and agenda for Congress.
Congress has set high standards for everything we do. An Ethics Council,
a special body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander experts, provides
independent advice on standards and guidelines to the Board, members and staff.
Congress is committed to gender equality, and has equal numbers of female and
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administration; policy advice; building relationships with members and supporters of Congress; promotion and
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ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES AT THE NATIONAL CONGRESS
The National Congress has three chambers made up of 40 Delegates in each membership chamber. The 120
Congress Delegates represent individual and organisation members at the meeting, where they discuss strategy,
issues of concern to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and the priorities for Congress.
[email protected]
nationalcongress.com.au
Freecall 1800 266 477
NATIONAL CONGRESS
OF AUSTRALIA’S FIRST PEOPLES
WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND PAY RESPECT TO OUR ANCESTORS, OUR
ELDERS AND ALL TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF THIS ANCIENT LAND.
PURPOSE: These foundational Principles underpin all policy, advocacy and engagement undertaken by Congress.
PREAMBLE: As the National Representative Body for our Membership and the overall interests of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Australians, Congress is entrusted to be an independent national voice, a leader, an advocate
and a source of advice and expertise for First Peoples and the wider community. Drawing strength from culture and
history, Congress will endeavour to bring equality, freedom, opportunity and empowerment to all First Peoples.
OUR PRINCIPLES
RIGHTS
LAND & CULTURE
LEADERSHIP
As Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Australians we are proud
to be the First Peoples of this land.
In this, we assert our rights to selfdetermination under the United
Nations Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples. The Declaration is
the foundation and guide for Congress
to uphold and strengthen our collective
and individual rights.
At the heart of our work is the culture,
spirituality, connection to land and
sea, and identity as Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Congress recognises that stories and
knowledge passed on by our ancestors
and Elders through our ancient and
continuing traditions and kinship
ties are the essence of maintaining
connection to culture and country.
Congress acknowledges and pays
respect to the strength and resilience
of our heroes who have fought for
the rights we enjoy today and have
overcome adversity to contribute to the
development of the Australian nation.
Their strong, courageous leadership is
our inspiration. We will strive to build on
what has been achieved for justice and
equality, and in doing so support new
generations of leaders.
UNITY
EMPOWERMENT
Congress respects the diversity
of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples, clans, tribes and
nations. At the same time we value
the strength that comes from unity.
As united peoples we can draw on
our collective strengths to secure a
strong economic, social, cultural and
political future for current and future
generations.
INCLUSIVENESS
Congress recognises our responsibility
to ref lect the views of our Members
and Delegates and the overall
interests of all Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander peoples.
We commit to effective and
meaningful engagement, ensuring
participation at all levels with peoples
from across the country and working
to empower all First Peoples to achieve
positive change.
KNOWLEDGE
INNOVATION
Congress will harness both traditional
and contemporary forms of knowledge
to inform our decisions and actions. Our
work is evidenced based and draws on
the highest standards of research that
is ethical, informed, up to date and
respectful of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander cultures, peoples and
their communities.
Congress strives to produce work that
is innovative, creative and effective.
SUSTAINABILITY
Congress is focused on long term
change rather than a short term
fi
effect sustainable change that
outlasts the changing tides of
government and legislation.
PARTNERSHIPS
Congress recognises the importance
of meaningful, equitable and
respectful partnerships for it’s
success and for securing
positive change.
FRIENDS OF CONGRESS
We need friends and supporters to achieve the huge
agenda ahead of us.
If you can’t be a member you can sign up to be a
Friend of Congress.
SUPPORTERS ACCORD
A Supporters Accord is a way of formalising
partnerships between Congress and key organisations
that want to support us.
How to contact us
Phone:
Email:
1800 266 477 (freecall)
[email protected]
Fax:
02 8070 3125
Address: L2, 27 Cope Street
Redfern, NSW 2016
Mail:
PO Box 1475
Strawberry Hills, NSW 2012
Find out more
nationalcongress.com.au
Send your membership form to: Email: [email protected]
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Signed
Date
Providing your details means you will receive important
Congress information and updates by email and mail.
I further declare that the contents of this application for
membership have been accurately completed.
R
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Mail: Reply Paid, PO Box 1446, STRAWBERRY HILLS, NSW 2012 (no stamp required)
Aboriginal & Torres
Strait Islander
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Fax: 02 8362 9112
Torres Strait
Islander
(please circle)
Gender
ORGANISATION MEMBERSHIP
Phone
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INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
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IT’S TIME FOR UNITY - Join CongressMob
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
can also become members.
Declaration:
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Torres Strait Islander community.
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Congress lets my
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