Aboriginal community
The City of Kingston proudly acknowledges the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of this land, and we pay our respect to their Elders, past and present and emerging. Read our full Acknowledgement of Country.
Uluru Statement from the Heart
Kingston City Council affirms the Uluru Statement from the Heart and supports a First Nations Voice to Parliament enshrined in the Constitution.
At the January 2023 Council meeting, Councillors unanimously voted to support this important step in Australia’s reconciliation journey.
The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to create a better future.
The statement calls for Voice, Treaty and Truth.
The Voice Referendum
In late 2023, Australians will have their say in a referendum about whether to change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.
The Voice would be an independent and permanent advisory body. It would give advice to the Australian Parliament and Government on matters that affect the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Voters will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the following question:
“A Proposed Law: to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. Do you approve this proposed alteration?”
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have called for members of the Voice to be chosen by First Nations peoples based on the wishes of local communities.
For further information, visit The Voice.
To download resources including fact sheet, visit Resources | The Voice.
Voice and Truth Telling Forum
On Saturday 15 July, Kingston Council supported a community-initiated Voice and Truth Telling Forum at the Kingston City Hall.
Keynote speakers:
- The Hon Mark Dreyfus KC MP, Attorney-General of Australia, Federal Member for Isaacs – The Voice
- Dr Rachel Joy – Colonisation from invasion to today
- Reuben Berg, Member of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria - How the Voice and Treaty processes intersect
Watch a recording of the Forum.
Reconciliation Action Plan
The City of Kingston is committed to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and acknowledges that First Nations Australian people have a rich and continuous connection to the area that is the City of Kingston.
Kingston worked alongside our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to develop our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2024 (RAP)(PDF, 6MB).
An Innovate RAP has a key focus on creating and strengthening relationships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members through innovative strategies, as well as including staff and stakeholders in the spirit of Reconciliation.
Council works with our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to acknowledge and promote its rich history, enhance the Aboriginal community in Kingston, develop and implement Council Policy, and resource service networks and organisations.
Reconciliation Action Plan FAQs
What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?
The RAP is a list of agreed actions to guide us toward reconciliation. Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians come together to develop the list.
What does Reconciliation in the phrase ‘Reconciliation Action Plan’ mean?
Reconciliation is about strengthening the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and working together to overcome the reasons there is division and inequality.
For further information see Reconciliation Australia's Framework for Reconciliation Action.
What is Reconciliation Australia and how is it involved?
Reconciliation Australia is a not-for-profit foundation that promotes a continuing focus on reconciliation. Their RAP Framework provides a structured approach for organisations. Reconciliation Australia has endorsed City of Kingston's RAP.
What is an Innovate RAP?
There are four RAP types, Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. These four types allow organisations to develop their reconciliation commitments. An Innovate RAP focuses on growing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, along with engaging staff and stakeholders, and developing strategies to empower Indigenous Australians.
You can read more about the four levels from Reconciliation Australia.
What is the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group?
The RAP Working Group includes key staff from a diverse range of departments at the City of Kingston. The purpose of the group is to oversee the implementation of the RAP and its proposed actions. The group leader identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group (RAG)
The City of Kingston Reconciliation Action Plan Advisory Group (RAG) acts as a conduit between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, reconciliation stakeholders and the City of Kingston.
The RAG will guide the implementation of the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and provide advice to Kingston Council’s internal RAP Working Group between November 2021 and April 2024.
To learn more or to join an advisory group, see our Committees and Networks page.
What is the Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place?
The Derrimut Weelam Gathering Place is a safe place for First Nations people to get together and develop ideas, enhance cultural identity, social inclusion and improve health and wellbeing.
Located at the Mordialloc Life Saving Club, the DWGP opened in 2017 and is:
- A place for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to connect, learn skills and hear stories from Elders.
- Designed to build a better future, create opportunities through education, health and economic independence.
- Be an educational centre for our community to learn about First Nations Australian culture. Repair bridges, strengthen ties and connect with the Traditional Owners of our land.
For information, please contact derrimutweelamgp@gmail.com or connect via Facebook.
Who is the Kingston Koorie Mob?
The Kingston Koorie Mob was set up by Parkdale Secondary College for Aboriginal youth in Kingston. It promotes cultural identity, encourages personal and educational development. To find out more, call Katrina, Koorie Leader - St Kilda Football Club on 1300 467 246.
Aboriginal cultural heritage
Aboriginal cultural heritage in the City of Kingston is overseen by the following public authorities:
The Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation is a Registered Aboriginal Party and incorporated association. The Land Council covers the traditional lands along the eastern side of Port Phillip Bay, including Mornington Peninsula, Western Port and South Gippsland.
- The Bunurong Land Council provides cultural heritage and environmental land management advice and is the approval body for Cultural Heritage Management Plans.
- Aboriginal Victoria is the state government department responsible for administering the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and works with Traditional Owners to protect and manage Victoria's Aboriginal cultural heritage.
For more information about this process refer to the Victorian Government's Cultural Heritage Management Plans.
Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
Access Reconciliation Australia's free educational tool Share Our Pride to learn about what life looks like from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person's perspective and increase your awareness of histories and cultures.