Gulline: We must be one

Horsham’s mayor has praised State Government plans to encourage municipal councils to develop closer relationships with Aboriginal groups when developing reconciliation plans.

Cr Robyn Gulline said the proposal validated the approach she had adopted with Horsham Rural City Council.

She said she had worked extensively with Aboriginal groups.

“The council has tackled issues Aboriginal people have faced in the community such as employment to make sure they live their best life,” she said.

Local Government Minister Shaun Leane and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams last week released the 2021-2026 Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy.

Cr Gulline said the council continually worked to create an environment where everyone in Horsham felt comfortable.

She said there had previously been some barriers between Aboriginal groups and residents, but the council had taken appropriate action to deal with these situations.

Cr Gulline said her aim for Horsham was to provide an environment where people celebrated everyone’s differences.

“We are all equal – everyone’s concerns in the community should be considered equally,” she said.

State Government leaders have worked in collaboration for more than 20 months with traditional-owner groups and organisations to provide advice to councils when creating reconciliation action plans.

Ms Williams said the government’s strategy created a stronger connection between traditional owners and municipal councils.

“This strategy emphasises the need for partnerships between local government and Aboriginal Victorians based on listening, trust, truth-telling and understanding,” she said.

“Policies and programs based on our First People’s knowledge and expertise is crucial to building better relationships across local government and the community. That’s what this strategy will do.”

Mr Leane emphasised the need for a collaborative partnership approach across government and Aboriginal communities.

He said it was an important step to ensure councils acknowledged the rights, culture and heritage, needs and aspirations of Aboriginal communities.

“It is vital the local government sector recognises and engages with Aboriginal Victorians to best achieve self-determination,” he said.

“This is an important step in ensuring councils acknowledge the rights, culture, heritage, needs and aspirations of their Aboriginal communities.”