The Mildura Local
Indigenous Network
The
Yuranga Aboriginal
Committee
Community Plan
1
The Yuranga Aboriginal Committee – The Mildura Local Indigenous
Network
Community Plan
Contents:
Introduction
3
Our Community, Our Vision, Our Future
4
Vision Statement
5
Our Values / Our Principles
6
Our Assets / Our Activities
7-8
Maps / Stats
9-10
Our Future / Our Priorities
11-16
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INTRODUCTION
We wish to acknowledge the land on which
we stand, as land that belongs to Our People,
we are the Descendants from this Land and
from the Regions surrounding Mildura.
We pay great Respect to our Elders, past and
present, who have guided us, who have led
us, and who continually provide us with
Knowledge and Wisdom obtained
throughout the Annals of History. We pay
homage to our Ancestor’s for their Strength;
Their Resilience and
Their Courage, they are
the reason we are here
today.
reflects our priorities, our aspirations and
what we want for our future.
We are the Traditional
owners of the oldest
Living Culture in the
World and we are a
Proud and Strong Race of
People.
Our Local Indigenous
Network was established
in 2008. The LIN is a
representative body for
the local community of
Mildura and now boasts
more than 118
participants who can now
have their ‘Voices’ heard.
The LIN has been extremely proactive in
working in Mildura and with other Agencies
and has had many successes with Projects
and Activities to build a strong community,
including work with the local Mildura Rural
City Council on establishing the Aboriginal
Action Committee and the Aboriginal
Culture Centre Plans for the Riverfront.
Our Community Plan was developed over
time with our local representatives and
OUR COMMUNITY, OUR VISION,
OUR FUTURE
Acknowledgements
We would like to take this opportunity to
acknowledge the traditional owners of this
Country and the Elders who have past into
the Dreaming and Elders present today who
have survived the impacts of Colonisation.
Our Elders are the Cornerstone of our
communities and we pay our Respect to
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them, their journeys, their strength and their
Resilience.
Community Profile & HISTORY
The Traditional owners of the lands in and
around Mildura are the Ladji Ladji Tribes
with its neighbour the Barkinji across the
River with surrounding tribes including the
Madi Madi, the Dadi Dadi and the Kureinji.
Aboriginal people have lived in this area for
more than 60,000 years and are present in
the Mungo Man, who was discovered in
1974 at Lake Mungo.
White settlement of Mildura occurred in
1847.
On 13 Sept 1854 Thomas Hill Goodwin set
out to investigate possible sites for a
mission, and when he returned on 14 Dec
1854 he recommended Yelta, in Victoria and
opposite the conjunction of the Murray and
Darling Rivers. Early 1855 the Government
of NSW (which still included the area later
called Victoria) gave a square mile (640
acres or 256 hectares) grant near the
Billabong called Yelta.
Yelta commenced on 3 August 1855.
Supplies were stored and a vegetable garden
was soon fenced and equipped with a
windmill for irrigation. Handmade bricks
were used to build a dwelling house, storeroom and a school-room.
This was before the township of Mildura
was developed and before the Victorian
Border was mapped.
The Mildura LIN stated that these are the
Communities Priorities:
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Aboriginal Culture Centre
Acknowledgement- protocols
Aboriginal community Included in
MHRCC planning processes
History of
Consultation / Representation
Aboriginal
Housing
people
Mungo Lodge
Employment
Army
Education & Training
Veterans
Enterprise & Economic
Yelta mission
development
Emotional, Spiritual & Physical
Health and Wellbeing
The site was established by the Church of
England Society
Yelta had been chosen as the place for a
Mission because it was on an area where the
aborigines met as they followed their cycle
of nomadic life.
Mildura Local Indigenous Network ~ The Yuranga Aboriginal Committee
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OUR VISION
Where do we see our community in 10 years time?
This Activity was done in two groups and used artistic mediums to produce a Vision for
the Mildura Community. This is what was articulated in the Exercise.
VISION
STATEMENT
The Mildura Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Community is a Stronger community.
It is Healthy, Thriving economically and grounded in our Rich Culture & Heritage.
The Mildura ATSI Community is a place where we have made great efforts to Close
The Gap on disparity and social inequality in Health, Housing, Education,
Employment, Enterprise, Safety and Culture.
We will make life in Mildura a brighter future for our children.
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OUR VALUES
Our Values drive the operation of our LIN – such as fairness, inclusiveness, cooperation, respect,
transparency, safety and our Culture.
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To remember the oldest living Culture in the world and to reclaim, restore and make others Aware
of our Culture
To create a legitimate network of Aboriginal People who are honest and transparent in our
dealings with community at all times
To build on our communities strengths and build our communities capacities to make self
determination a reality
To look for Partnerships within the community and work in collaboration and partnership with
everyone to achieve the aims and outcomes of our Community Plan
To build the resilience of our community members to ensure we can make our community much
more stronger, healthier and much more sustainable
Strengthen our economic future – especially in tourism and ensure that appropriate training and
employment opportunities are accessible to all community members
To endeavour to deliver results that make a difference to our community through community
engagement activities
To be inclusive of all within our community by ensuring community connectedness
OUR PRINCIPLES
Koorreen Principles Of Life
“Our Respect Rules”
Our Seven Primary Rules:
1.
Listen (to the Earth, waters and others so that you may learn)
2.
Learn (from all you hear, see and feel this will inform you on whom you are and who you can be)
3.
Respect (all living things and beings to enable them to respect you)
4.
Integrity (conducts yourself and act honestly at all times so that others may learn from you)
5.
Honour (honour the Great Spirit, the property of others and your own life path)
6.
Compassion (have compassion to others so that you learn to be graceful with you spirit)
7.
Courage (have courage to act in all of the above and to know when you have made mistakes so
that you can know when to have humility)
These life rules will help remind you to always strive to be a better contributor to the world.
At Mildura we;
1.
Pay respect to each other by listening and acting politely to each other
2.
We respect each others belongings
3.
We remember we are here to learn
4.
We remember we learn off all things
5.
We remember it is a gift to be here
6.
We leave this place and the places we visit as we find them or in a better condition
7.
We do this so we leave this place with good memories and good things in our spirit and
heart
(Used with permission from Richard Frankland)
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OUR ASSETS
LIN MEMBERS
Basketball Coach
Volunteer
Law Degree Barrister & Solicitor
Diploma of community services
(childcare)
Community Skills
Dad-Father-Mother
UNk with Nat
Policy development
Degree Arts
Degree Education
Degree mulitmedia-20 years exp
exp working non for profit
work exp includes starting and
building a RTO in community org
Receptionist (administration)
Aboriginal potential
Working with children. 20 years
washing & folding
cook
Bus Driver
Legal & Social Policy
Executive Manage
Youth support
Team Leader
26 years of Child Care Experience
Family/Community Orientated
Cert 3 children’s services (childcare)
Finishing off Bachelor of Early
Childhood
COMMUNITY
ASSETS
CULTURAL ASSETS
MAC-Houses &
buildings
Indigenous culture centre
Elders Knowledge
Cultural Dancing
River
Yelta
Mungo
OUR ACTIVITIES
WORKING WITH LOCAL COUNCIL
In November 2010, the Mildura LIN took an important
step toward building a stronger relationship with their
local council.
Along with members of the Yuranga Aboriginal
Committee, Mildura LIN representatives met with the
Mildura Rural City Council (MRCC) to discuss a range
of issues.
At the meeting, LIN participants Gloria Clark and
Sandra Stewart, with Indigenous Community
Engagement Broker Thelma Chilly, made presentations
to members of Council, including Acting Mayor Susan
Nichols and Chief Executive Officer Mark Henderson.
Among the range of subjects discussed, the LIN asked Council to consider implementing an Aboriginal
Affairs portfolio and to look at establishing an
Aboriginal Culture Centre in Mildura.
In the wake of the meeting, MRCC has taken steps to
invite LIN representatives to join an Interim
Committee to develop an Indigenous Affairs
Framework at Council and to establish Terms of
Reference for the Committee.
Mildura Rural City is one of Victoria’s largest
municipalities. The 2006 Census recorded an
Indigenous population of 1,431 which is the second
highest for a local government area in Victoria.
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It is generally recognised that the Indigenous population is higher than officially recorded as many
Indigenous people come to Mildura from interstate for seasonal employment and access to services. (Voice
Magazine Issue 2 Feb 2011)
Yulkam Jerang KBN Conference
In Melbourne 2009
(*warning – these pictures may contain images of
persons that are deceased)
COMMUNITY PLANNING
Mildura LIN participants attended a 2 day
Workshop in partnership with AAV and Swinburne
University to share
Ideas and develop their planning
Skills and who have had input into creating this
Plan.
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MAPS
Mildura Rural City
Loddon Mallee Region
STATS
DEMOGRAPHICS
Population of Mildura Municipality
Indigenous Population
50,000 (ABS 2006) (approaching 60,000)
8000
*The Indigenous Community is a moving and transient community
*The Indigenous Community is a Young population and has an aging population as well
CALD Communities
LGA:
approx 54% different cultures
Mildura Rural City Council
Services:
Public and private
Heritage in area:
Lake Mungo
Hattah Kulkyne
Lake Victoria
Yelta & Mildura
Main industries:
Horticulture
Citrus
Tourism
Agriculture
Pastoral
*History of Indigenous People employed as Drovers and Jackaroos in the District
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EMPLOYMENT
The Majority of Indigenous People work in;
• Identified Aboriginal Positions
• More employers looking for keen workers in
Mildura
• Over the Last 4 years a trend in
employment in private and mainstream
• NO CDEP
Sectors
• % of Koori people in employment
Main employment of koori people occurs in these agencies:
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Mildura Aboriginal Coop 70%
AFVPLS 3/4
SCHS- 4
MRCC- 2
DEECD-10
CHAC- 95%
MFC
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Government Agencies20
2 RiversTafe
Latrobe
Hospital
Chemist Warehouse
Fishers
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Burrows Jewellers
Seasonal Employment
Dare to lead
Lombards
ANZ Bank
DOJ, DHS, DPCD
Mildura has very few Indigenous Owned Businesses ~ some are:
• BLISS
• Harry Nanya Tours
• Nylingah
• Censored
• David Burns
• Lance Atkinson
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OUR FUTURE / OUR PRIORITIES
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PRIORITY Area 1
SAFETY
OBJECTIVES
What will we do?
1. Community to be a safe place for our kids
The Mildura Indigenous Community would like
Mildura and the surrounding districts to be a safe
place for our children, youth and all.
2. Harmony with all cultures / Living and meeting
in Harmony
The Mildura Koori Community would like to live
in Harmony with the diverse community that
Mildura has become. We would like to see the
formation of a Harmony Group to ensure that
good connections and Cultural exchanges
abound.
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Lighting
Art Program
Canoeing Program
Sports & Rec
Youth Diversity Facility
Youth Program
NHW – Koori’s involved (invite)
Community Education &awareness
Police Relations
PPP
Lateral Violence Workshops
Night Patrol
Capacity Building
Work with the Sunraysia Mallee
Ethnic Community Council – Dean
Wickham
How will we do it?
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PRIORITY Area 2
HEALTH & WELLBEING
OBJECTIVES
What will we do?
1. Koori Sporting facility / Getting our kids active
/ Health and Wellbeing2. The Health and
Wellbeing of the Indigenous community is of
great importance and the Closing the Gap
Initiative is a strategy that aims to reduce
Indigenous disadvantage with respect to life
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health
housing
early childhood
education
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Designated Sporting Person
Partnerships with existing Sporting
agencies
Own LIN Sport & Rec Committee
Working with Keso’s, DEECD to
institute indigenous games into
schools; include training and
equipment
Establish a koori Dance group
Source funding to cover costs of
joining sporting activities
Letter to council/planners
Partnership with Mildura Arts
Centre/council
Canoeing Program – IDC
LIN Sport & Rec
Youth Diversity Facility
Youth – Talk to all youth Seniors –
Youth Activity Day once a week
NHW – invite to LIN
Community Education / Awareness
Working group
Police Relations – Ask Jemmes to stay
on LIN to keep us informed
Contact Mallee Family Care to give a
presentation
Lin adopt a Police Re: Lateral Violence
Work with the local Night patrol
encourage volunteers
Capacity Building Training Packages at
TAFE
Invite Dean Wickham and SMECC to
LIN meetings once a quarter
How will we do it?
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Employ & source funding
Write letters of introductions from LIN
Is established but needs more youth
involvement
Getting people trained in how to use
indigenous games
Source traditional dancers
Philanthropy or other organizations
Awareness for parents, breakfast
programs, promo’s within
schools/organisations
Nominate a LIN member to contact
By when
will we
do it?
Who will
drive this in
our LIN?
Resources from
where?
2017
Select
Working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
Mildura LIN
DOJ
TAFE
NHW
SRV
Vic Police
MRCC Youth
Services
MFC
AAV
DPCD
MAC
SMECC
Other Agencies
By when
will we
do it?
Who will
drive this in
our LIN?
Resources from
where?
5 years
time
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
Sunraysia Community
Health
MAC, Health Services
Dept Health Agencies
DHS
AVV
DOJ
DPCD
DEECD
Mildura Base Hospital
Keso’s MRCC
Youth Workers Centre
12
o
economic participation
We want to have accessible Koori Sporting
Facilities to ensure our people are active.
PRIORITY Area 3
OBJECTIVES
1. More ATSI Students remaining at school and
mature aged enrolments encouraged.
2. More jobs for ATSI people in and around
Mildura.
3. Koori child care facility
4. Mildura would have its own Aboriginal Day
Care Centre and Kindergarten
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Promote healthy eating at schools
& Koori organizations
Contact Council about Healthy
Communities Initiatives
Koori organizations /
programs
EDUCATION & EMPLOYMENT
What will we do?
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More Koori staff at schools / TAFE
Inclusive curriculum
Lobby – Existing groups
Employment targets – MRCC/State &
Fed gov dept’s? Com Orgs
NMLIN MRCC – CEF (Ed Op Group – No
indigenous rep – WANNIK WURRER
PRIORITY Area 4
ENTERPRISE
OBJECTIVES
What will we do?
1. Koori Boating Business
Our Community is in the Murray River and our
future should reflect our connection to the river.
Our Economic Development 2011 and beyond
means we could have Koori Boating Businesses
operational.
2. Increase in ATSI Business ownership
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Council (MRCCC) to find out about this
initiative.
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Contact Ann Mansell Economic
Development Committee
IBA
KBN
ILC
DBI
NSW Maritime
How will we do it?
Build the LAECG – esp. parental involvement.
By
when
will we
do it?
5 years
time
Who will
drive this
in our LIN?
Resources from
where?
Sandra
Stewart
PACE
LAECG
Christine
Brims
Philanthropy
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
How will we do it?
Set up sub committee under BDC or IDC
Koori specific
By
when
will we
do it?
In the
next 5
years
Who will
drive this
in our LIN?
Resources from
where?
Billy Carroll
Mildura LIN
DOJ
TAFE
NHW
SRV
Vic Police
MRCC Youth services
MFC
AAV
DPCD
MAC
SMECC
HAVEN
KBN
NSW Maritime
IBA
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
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PRIORITY Area 5
HOUSING
OBJECTIVES
What will we do?
1. No More Aboriginal Housing Estates
The areas that exist now in Birralee, Hornsey
and Ambleside are housing clusters of Aboriginal
People. We no longer wish to be accommodated
in this way…..we want to see housing all over
Mildura in precincts that are flourishing.
2. Elders Village
The Indigenous Community should treasure its
Elders as they are living Cultural Resources and
Archives. We should Respect and look after our
Ageing population and as part of their need
provide an Elders Village to accommodate and
provide care for our Elders.
3. More koori owned homes
The Mildura Koori community would be a place
for Economic strengthening and Koori’s would
own their own businesses which would
encourage more Home Ownership in the Mildura
Koori Community.
PRIORITY Area 6
OBJECTIVES
1. Koori Transport Services
The Mildura Aboriginal Community is one in
which Families find Transport challenging. We
wish to see a Koori Transport Service provided to
our community.
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Meet with Department of Housing
to discuss this issue. / HAVEN
Meet with Aboriginal Housing
board Melbourne.
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Community Petition to present to –
Dept of Housing, AAV, DHS/HACC,
FACSIA, Local MP/minister of
aging
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Invite KBN & IBA to provide info
sessions to community
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Provide info on Rent/Buy system.
How will we do it?
By when
will we
do it?
Who will
drive this in
our LIN?
Resources from
where?
LIN Broker to organise meetings with Aboriginal
Housing Board.
Housing Action Groups.
Lin Member’s.
Next 5
years
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
Mildura LIN
DOJ
TAFE
NHW
SRV
Vic Police
MRCC Youth services
MFC
AAV
DPCD
MAC
SMECC
HAVEN
KBN
IBA
How will we do it?
By
when
will we
do it?
NEXT 5
YEARS
Who will
drive this
in our LIN?
Resources from
where?
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
Mildura LIN
DOJ TAFE
NHW Vic Police
MRCC youth services
MFC
AAV
DPCD
MAC
SMECC
HAVEN
KBN
IBA
DBI
Transport Connect
TRANSPORT
What will we do?
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Write a submission and submit to
Philanthropic trust
Contact council, RE: Community
Bus
Meet with Terry Garwood
The LIN will work at building relationships and
partnerships with Local Transport Providers and
the Transport Connect Program in Mildura /
Sunraysia
The LIN will investigate economic development
possibilities with DBI and IBA to encourage local
community members to take up this opportunity
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PRIORITY Area 7
CULTURE & RESPECT
OBJECTIVES
What will we do?
1.
2.
Aboriginal Culture Centre
The Aboriginal Community in the
future will have a fully functioning
Aboriginal Culture Centre / Keeping
Place and be a base of Economic
opportunities with Mildura Tourism.
3.
Koori Gardens
4.
The Indigenous Gardens would boast
healthy bush tucker that could be
regenerated and cultivated for the
Aboriginal Culture Centre and Café.
5.
Aboriginal Walking trail
6.
The Aboriginal Walking Trail would be
an important part of the Aboriginal
Culture Centre and would lead from
there to points of historical and
cultural reference along the river on
the Murray.
7.
4. Welcoming signs Acknowledging
Aboriginal Elders / Aboriginal street
signs
8.
The Mildura Koori Community would
like to see at the entrance and exits of
the township signs acknowledging the
Tribal / Traditional owners of the land
this would also refer Respect to the
Traditional owners and Koori
Community
9.
5. Aboriginal Affairs Portfolio at MRCC
and Aboriginal City Councillors
10. The Mildura community would be an
inclusive and representative
community with Aboriginal Councillors
sitting on Council and where an
Aboriginal Portfolio was administered
by them. An Aboriginal Advisory Board
would be in place within Council.
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Define what ‘we’ want
Signage & Identification of
Tradional Owners
Erect memorial to identify
Aboriginal Returned Servicemen
Contact DSE/ Parks Victoria about
possibilities of Koori workers
establishing it and use local koori
people
Establish a Connection to MRCCC
& Parks & Wildlife
Identify & promoting of Aboriginal
sites
Tell council what we want within a
defined timeline – Identify
locations and appropriate
language & interpretation
Signage at entries and exits in
every community, acknowledging
Tribal and traditional owners of
the land
Underway Mildura Rural City
Council
Training for woman to learn how
to be come councillors
Indigenous (ILUA) with MRCC on
Marina Development
How will we do it?
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Contact MRCC & Elders
Contact Department of Sustainability &
Parks Victoria
Find out & contact to MRCC, Parks/
Wildlife Victoria
Contact traditional owners to identify
sites to promote
LIN
MRCC
Follow up on Council’s Actions
regarding ILUA
By
when
will we
do it?
2017
Who will
drive this
in our LIN?
Resources from
where?
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
MRCC
Mildura LIN
TOs
DSE
Parks Victoria
AAV
DPCD
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PRIORITY ARE 8
FAMILY & COMMUNITY
OBJECTIVES
What will we do?
How will we do it?
Unite and Strengthen our Community
Family Fun Days
Women’s Pamper Days
Mens Days
Cultural Camps
The LIN will formulate partnerships with existing
Agencies and work together to achieve it’s aims
and objectives in each of these areas
Look for opportunities to collaborate
By
when
will we
do it?
2017
PRIORITY AREA 9
SEWB
OBJECTIVES
What will we do?
How will we do it?
To improve the ESWB of the Aboriginal
Community
Provide a Directory of Services Available
Work with MAC
Cultural Activities
Support for Parents / Whole Families
Mental Health First Aid Training
Young Mums Groups
Suicide Prevention Training
Recreation opportunities
Capacity Building of community members
Community Education
FVPLS & IFVRAG / IFVCAG Family Violence
Prevention & Education
The LIN will formulate partnerships with existing
Agencies and work together to achieve it’s aims
and objectives in each of these areas
Who will
drive this
in our LIN?
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
By
when
will we
do it?
Who will
drive this
in our LIN?
2017
Selected
working
Groups or
Action
groups set
up under the
LIN
Resources from
where?
Funding applications
to various government
agencies and
philanthropic societies
Working with agencies
for in-kind
contributions
Resources from
where?
Funding applications
to various government
agencies and
philanthropic societies
Working with agencies
for in-kind
contributions
*Changes made to plan to correct typo in Priority area 2 – Health & Wellbeing on 3/2/2014.
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