Minutes of Council Meeting - Tuesday, 22 November 2022

Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

Nillumbik Shire Council

Minutes of the Meeting of Nillumbik Shire Council held Tuesday 22 November 2022. The meeting commenced at 7.00pm.

Councillors present:

Cr Frances Eyre Swipers Gully Ward (Mayor)

Cr Richard Stockman Blue Lake Ward

Cr Natalie Duffy Edendale Ward

Cr Peter Perkins Ellis Ward

Cr Ben Ramcharan Sugarloaf Ward (Deputy Mayor)

Cr Geoff Paine Wingrove Ward

Officers in attendance:

Carl Cowie Chief Executive Officer

Hjalmar Philipp Director Operations and Infrastructure

Blaga Naumoski Director Governance and Communications

Corrienne Nichols Director Community Services

Rosa Zouzoulas Director Planning and Community Safety

Jeremy Livingston Executive Manager Business Transformation and Performance

Natalie Town Communications and Engagement Lead – Acting

Nicole Johnson Manager Community Partnerships Community Services

Katia Croce Governance Lead

1. Welcome by the Mayor

2. Acknowledgement of Country

Acknowledgement of Country was read by the Mayor Cr Frances Eyre.

3. Good Governance Pledge

The Good Governance Pledge was ready by Cr Geoff Paine.

4. Prayer

A prayer was read by the Mayor Cr Frances Eyre.

5. Apologies

An apology for this meeting had been received from Cr Karen Egan.

Council Resolution

MOVED: Cr Natalie Duffy

SECONDED: Cr Peter Perkins

That the apology from Cr Karen Egan be noted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

6. Presentations

CFA Appreciation Award Presentation

Presentation to our local CFA Brigades is an opportunity to acknowledge and thank each local brigade for their ongoing commitment and support they provide to the community.

The Mayor Cr Frances Eyre, paid tribute to the local CFA Brigades as follows:

Good evening everyone, I would like to warmly welcome here tonight representatives from a number of our brigades and groups.

It is hard to believe that after all the devastation we have recently seen with the floods, we are only a few short weeks away from summer. We know that the arrival of summer is accompanied by the increased probability of bushfire.

Living in such a picturesque environment brings risk that our community is very aware of. It’s therefore important to prepare for and have a plan for such emergencies.

Council is committed to working with you, our emergency services personnel, doing what you do best, protecting lives and property.

Volunteers are the backbone of our community. And that is certainly the case with our exceptional CFA volunteers.

As we have seen with the recent floods, preparing for, and responding to emergencies is a year round activity.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support our first responders have provided to flood affected communities across Victoria.

It’s also important to remember, that the mitigation of fire risk is a critical component of fire season preparedness and requires a year-round commitment.

I know this is something the CFA and all emergency services agencies prioritise in their preparations and through many community education initiatives.

Mitigation must be a responsibility shared by the entire community.

Tonight, we’re here to wish all our emergency services first responders well, as we enter another bushfire season.

On behalf of Nillumbik Shire Council, I would like to acknowledge and thank you all for the selfless and important work you do.

Council is committed to working with the CFA to ensure that our fire and emergency management arrangements meet the needs of our community.

On behalf of my fellow Councillors and Council staff, I am delighted that we are providing $49,000 in donations to assist our 16 brigades and two groups for their exceptional work.

I’d now like to present you with your certificates. Thank you again – you have our deepest appreciation and support.

· Arthurs Creek Fire Brigade, unfortunately Captain Warren Rees was an apology

· Christmas Hills Fire Brigade, Captain Diane Simmons

· Diamond Creek Fire Brigade, Captain Noel Farmer

· District 14 Headquarters Brigade East, Captain Mark Gravell

· Doreen Fire Brigade, Captain Robert Bury is an apology

· Eltham Fire Brigade, Secretary Lizzy Wade and 1^st Lieutenant Anthony Owen

· Hurstbridge Fire Brigade, Captain Bernard Daly

· Kangaroo Ground Fire Brigade, Captain Duncan Bucknell

· Kinglake Fire Brigade, Captain Linda Craske

· North Warrandyte Fire Brigade, Captain Trent Burriss was an apology

· Panton Hill Fire Brigade, Captain Simon Wallace was an apology

· Plenty Fire Brigade, 1^st Lieutenant David Bolden

· Research Fire Brigade, Captain Neville Stewart

· St Andrews Fire Brigade, Captain Matthew Ryan

· Wattle Glen Fire Brigade, Captain David Reuter

· Yarrambat Fire Brigade, Captain Cameron Sibeijn

· Nillumbik Group, Group Officer Matthew Knight

· Whittlesea/Diamond Valley Group, Group Officer’s Michael Chapman and Adrian Marshman

The Mayor Cr Frances Eyre then called on Matthew Knight Group Officer from Nillumbik Group and Adrian Marshman Group Officer from Whittlesea/Diamond Valley Group to speak on behalf of the CFA.

Matthew Knight and Adrian Marshman acknowledged and thanked Council for its continued support.

The Mayor and Deputy Mayor together with CFA members came together for a group

photograph.

Sporting Presentation

Xavier Zemancheff (Swipers Gully Ward) receives $150 as a contribution for being selected to represent Victoria at the 2022 Lacrosse National Championships in Perth.

Nillumbik Shire Council wishes Xavier every success with his future sporting pursuits.

Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

8. Disclosure of conflicts of interest

Nil

9. Petitions

Nil

10. Questions from the gallery

John Fecondo submitted the following questions:

Question 1

I contacted Council in early March to express my concern about the extensive and dominant political signage at 1/963 Main Road Eltham and was advised on the 6th April that Council officers had determined that a breach of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme had indeed occurred. Seven months later, I was eventually advised that Council decided to issue a Notice of Decision on 9th November to grant a retrospective permit which will not be issued until 28 days later assuming there are no objections to VCAT followed by 10 days to enforce the conditions of the permit. That is, assuming that there are no objections to VCAT to the permit being issued, the applicant has until 17th December to reduce the signage by 50% and adhere to all other requirements of the permit.

Why has it taken 7 months (!!) for Council officers to make this farcical decision given that the conditions of the permit can only be enforced almost 3 weeks after the state election has been and gone and the clearly political signage is no longer needed?

Response 1

The Victorian Planning system affords people the opportunity to bring their site into compliance by seeking retrospective approval under the Planning Scheme. Council is obliged to accept and consider any application lawfully made under the Planning Scheme and must assess any application in full, in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Planning and Environment Act 1987. The application did receive community interest and objections were received, meaning that Council must issue a Notice of Decision in the interim, affording any objectors the opportunity to appeal Council’s decision if they wish. If and when a permit is issued, the permit conditions will ensure the site is brought into compliance with the Planning Scheme quickly following the issue of any permit.

Planning permit applications are lengthy processes due to the statutory requirements and associated timeframes pursuant to the Planning and Environment Act that cannot be negotiated or bypassed, this results in what can be considered a lengthy process. The application though has been determined within the statutory timeframe.

Question 2

At one stage I was astonished to be advised by Council that the signage referred to above is not "political" signage. Why is it not political signage given that the same candidate is using the same wording and layout on their campaign signs around the electorate as are other candidates using similar words in their signage?

Response 2

The signage on the premises is classed as Business Identification signage as opposed to political signage, because the signage displayed at the premises does not ask the community to vote for the Liberal candidate. Rather it is signage that identifies the business operating from the respective premises.

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Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

12. Officers' reports

CM.113/22 Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan - For Adoption

Distribution: Public

Manager: Rosa Zouzoulas, Director Planning and Community Safety

Author: Leigh Northwood, Manager Strategic Planning

Summary

The development of a master plan for community infrastructure in Diamond Creek including recreation and community precincts and buildings is a Priority Action in the Council Plan 2021-2025.

The Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan (the Strategic Plan) is the final product of the first phase (Phase A) of the Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Master Plan project. It has been prepared expressly to inform the preparation of a master plan.

As a formative product in the development of a master plan, the Strategic Plan, critically, outlines ‘what’ infrastructure is needed in Diamond Creek, ‘where’ it can be located within Diamond Creek, and ‘how’ infrastructure services can be offered, to meet the future needs of Diamond Creek and the wider population of the Shire the township serves, in 2036.

The draft strategic plan was exhibited on Participate Nillumbik for four weeks, from Monday 11 July until Sunday 7 August 2022, inclusive. The PCC meeting held on 11 October 2022 heard verbal submissions to the draft strategic plan.

The Strategic Plan sustains the draft strategic plan that was exhibited as the best proposal for the locations and service models for community infrastructure that has been identified to be needed in Diamond Creek. The Strategic Plan includes two service model/ location options for a youth hub dedicated to youths that will require future Council consideration prior the completion of a community infrastructure master plan, noting that the standalone youth hub provides greatest synergies with the work of the youth team on this matter.

The Strategic Plan is being put to Council for adoption to enable future master planning work that, for the completion of a master plan, is subject to Council project budget allocation and/or grant funding, additional to the limited 2022/23 FY project budget, and that is necessary for the delivery of the community infrastructure.

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Adopts the Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan (Attachment 1) as a formative product in the planning of community infrastructure in Diamond Creek, to inform a master plan and master planning related work that are subject to Council project budget and/or grant funding for their completion;

2. Updates the Participate Nillumbik webpage with the adopted Strategic Plan (Attachment 1); and

3. Writes to all respondents to the exhibition of the Draft Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Strategic Plan to advise them of Council’s resolution and refers them to the updated Participate Nillumbik webpage with the next steps in the project.

Motion

MOVED: Cr Peter Perkins

SECONDED: Cr Natalie Duffy

That Council:

a. Identify the Elizabeth Street skate park replacement needs to be delivered as part of, or prior to, delivery of the Aquatic, Health and Fitness Centre component of the Diamond Creek Community Infrastructure Master Plan;

b. Provide an option for the inclusion of the Maternal and Child Health Centre in the community hub; and

c. Update to identify the community hub as a multi-level facility.

2. Updates the Participate Nillumbik webpage with the adopted Strategic Plan (Attachment 1); and

THE MOTION WAS PUT TO THE VOTE AND CARRIED AND BECAME THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION AS FOLLOWS:

Council Resolution

MOVED: Cr Peter Perkins

SECONDED: Cr Natalie Duffy

That Council:

b. Provide an option for the inclusion of the Maternal and Child Health Centre in the community hub; and

c. Update to identify the community hub as a multi-level facility.

2. Updates the Participate Nillumbik webpage with the adopted Strategic Plan (Attachment 1); and

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

12. Officers' reports

CM.114/22 Nillumbik Community Awards 2023

Distribution: Public

Manager: Corrienne Nichols, Director Community Services

Author: Nichole Johnson, Manager Community Partnerships

Summary

The purpose of this report is to seek endorsement for the new approach to the Community Awards Program for 2023 and beyond. This includes a new name, date and award categories.

Recommendation

That Council:

1. Endorses the following name and date for the new Community Awards Program:

a) New Name - Nillumbik Community Awards Program

b) New Date - third Thursday of August each year

2. Endorses the following new Award categories:

a) Nillumbik Volunteer

b) Nillumbik Community Group

c) Nillumbik Young Citizen (up to 25)

d) Nillumbik Community Awards:

i) Contribution to Arts, Heritage and Culture

ii) Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion

iii) Contribution to Environment and Sustainability.

Motion

MOVED: Cr Natalie Duffy

SECONDED: Cr Ben Ramcharan

That Council:

1. Endorses the following name and date for the new Community Awards Program:

a) New Name - Nillumbik Community Awards ~~Program~~

b) New Date - third Thursday of August each year

2. Endorses the following new Award categories:

a) Nillumbik Volunteer

b) Nillumbik Community Group

c) Nillumbik Young Citizen (up to 25)

d) Nillumbik Community Awards:

i. Contribution to Arts, Heritage and Culture

ii. Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion

iii. Contribution to Environment and Sustainability

iv. Contribution to Reconciliation.

THE MOTION WAS PUT TO THE VOTE AND CARRIED AND BECAME THE COUNCIL RESOLUTION AS FOLLOWS:

Council Resolution

MOVED: Cr Natalie Duffy

SECONDED: Cr Ben Ramcharan

That Council:

1. Endorses the following name and date for the new Community Awards Program:

a) New Name - Nillumbik Community Awards

b) New Date - third Thursday of August each year

2. Endorses the following new Award categories:

a) Nillumbik Volunteer

b) Nillumbik Community Group

c) Nillumbik Young Citizen (up to 25)

d) Nillumbik Community Awards:

i. Contribution to Arts, Heritage and Culture

ii. Contribution to Diversity and Inclusion

iii. Contribution to Environment and Sustainability

iv. Contribution to Reconciliation.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

12. Officers' reports

CM.115/22 Council Plan Quarterly Performance Report - 2022-2023 - Quarter 1

Distribution: Public

Manager: Jeremy Livingston, Executive Manager Business Transformation and Performance

Author: James Hartigan, Business Performance Analyst

Summary

The purpose of this report is to present the Council Plan Quarterly Performance Report (Attachment 1) for noting.

These reporting updates are received by Council on a quarterly basis to demonstrate in a practicable and tangible way how the Council Plan 2021-2025 is being delivered to the community.

The Council Plan Quarterly Performance Report provides the first update on delivery progress and performance of the 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan actions, which align to delivery of the second year of the Council Plan 2021-2025.

Of the 22 actions in the 2022-2023 Annual Action Plan designated for quarterly reporting, 21 actions are currently ‘on track’, and one action is experiencing minor issues.

The overall position reflected in the report suggests that Council continues to make solid progress in delivering on key actions of the Council Plan and significant outcomes for the community.

All 46 actions identified in the Annual Action Plan 2022-2023 will have final updates provided in the corresponding report for the fourth quarter. This will also be published in the Annual Report 2022-2023 when presented to the community later in 2023.

Council Resolution

MOVED: Cr Geoff Paine

SECONDED: Cr Peter Perkins

That Council notes and receives the Council Plan Quarterly Performance Report (Attachment 1) for the first quarter of 2022-2023.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

12. Officers' reports

CM.116/22 Reconciliation of Special Charge Schemes

Distribution: Public

Manager: Hjalmar Philipp, Director Operations and Infrastructure

Author: Patrick Wood, Design Coordinator

Lawrence Seyers, Lead Transport Planner

Summary

The Local Government Act 1989 enables council to levy a special charge to help pay for any council service or activity that will be of special benefit to a particular group of property owners. A “special benefit” is a benefit that is additional to, or greater than, the benefit generally available to other people. Common examples of special charges include schemes for constructing footpaths, roads, kerbs and channels or drains.

The special charge schemes outlined in this report have been completed and the final costs have been calculated. At this stage, property owners have been invoiced for the estimated cost, which was the amount at the time of declaration by Council. Property owners who elected to pay the full cost of the scheme up-front have paid the total estimated cost and for those who chose to pay by instalments, the instalments that have been invoiced to date were calculated on the estimated amount.

Council may now vary these schemes under Section 166 of the Local Government Act 1989, so property owners pay the actual cost. The amount of the refund or additional charge to each property will be proportionate with the original contribution.

Property owners in the Rodger Road Special Charge Scheme will receive an average refund of $1,079.

Property owners in the Fordhams Road Special Charge Scheme will receive an average refund of $1,159.

The affected properties are shown in Attachments 1 and 2.

Council Resolution

MOVED: Cr Ben Ramcharan

SECONDED: Cr Geoff Paine

That Council:

1) Varies the following special charge schemes under section 166 of the Local Government Act 1989, in line with the revised liabilities set out for each scheme shown in Attachment 4 (Rodger Road Special Charge Scheme) and Attachment 5 (Fordhams Road Special Charge Scheme).

2. Requests officers to advise property owners in each scheme of the applicable variation and provide a refund for the required amount.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

12. Officers' reports

CM.117/22 Informal Meetings of Councillors Records - 22 November 2022

Distribution: Public

Manager: Blaga Naumoski, Director Governance and Communications

Author: Katia Croce, Governance Lead

Summary

In accordance with Item 19 of Council’s Governance Rule – Meeting Procedure, adopted on 25 August 2020, Council is required to report as soon as practicable to a Council Meeting a record of each Informal Meeting of Councillors held.

This report lists Informal Meetings of Councillors Records submitted since the matter was last reported to Council on 23 August 2022.

An Informal Meeting of Councillors Record was kept for the following meetings
(Attachment 1):

1. Health and Wellbeing Advisory Committee meeting held 12 October 2022

2. Councillor Briefing meeting held 18 October 2022

3. Environment & Sustainability Advisory Committee meeting held 19 October 2022

4. Panton Hill bushland Reserve System User Group – Advisory Committee meeting held

20 October 2022

5. Inclusion and Access Advisory Committee meeting held 21 October 2022

6. Council Meeting Pre-Meet held 25 October 2022

7. Councillor Briefing meeting held 2 November 2022

Council Resolution

MOVED: Cr Richard Stockman

SECONDED: Cr Geoff Paine

That Council, in accordance with Item 19 of Council’s Governance Rule – Meeting Procedure, receives the Informal Meetings of Councillors Records (Attachment 1) for the meetings held.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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Council Meeting Minutes 22 November 2022

13. Notices of Motion

Nil

14. Delegates' Reports

Cr Duffy – Edendale Ward

Delegate’s Report November 2022 – Nillumbik Reconciliation Group

It has been a pleasure and a privilege to be Council’s representative to work with Nillumbik Reconciliation Group (NRG). NRG grew out of an Advisory Committee delegated by Nillumbik Shire Council to arrange a ceremony promoting Reconciliation. As a result of that Committee’s recommendations, a formal document of Acknowledgment, Apology and Commitment was presented by the Council to Wurundjeri Elders at a Gayip (meaning inter-clan gathering or ceremony in Woi-wurrung language) in May 1998 at Wingrove Park in Eltham.

NRG has been cultivating and promoting reconciliation in our local community ever since encouraging individuals, schools, churches, businesses, community groups and Council to stand with, to celebrate and improve the lives of First Nations people through action and education. Many people have been involved over time but a core committee of volunteers continues to drive change in a gentle way. I would like to acknowledge the NRG Committee of volunteers.

Jan Aitken has been involved with NRG for 20 years and has humbly and gracefully lead NRG for the past 15 years. Thank you, Jan Aitken, for all that you have done, for those you have inspired to act and for those you and the group have helped. Jan Mackenzie has stepped into lead NRG moving forward from this November. Thank you to you both. Attached is the NRG President’s Report presented by Jan Aitken at their recent AGM which gives a comprehensive outline of much of their activity.

Our community will have the opportunity of participating in another Gayip, Sunday 28 May 2023 when NRG will invite everyone to come together at the Eltham Community Reception Centre to celebrate 25 years of our community’s commitment to reconciliation. In the meantime, I encourage people young and old to consider how you might get involved in the walking the path towards reconciliation. Please reach out to NRG, take a visit to the Gawa Trail at Watson’s Creek, discover the Wurundjeri Seasons garden at the Eltham North Adventure Playground or have a hand in revegetating the Moor-ul grasslands at Kangaroo Ground.

Annual Report 2022

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri, the traditional custodians of this land of Nillumbik. We give our respect to their Elders, past, present and emerging. We say with regret and sadness that our colonisation took over their land and livelihood, tried to destroy spiritual customs and language, drove them from their country and essential identity. We now recognise that their culture is alive and continuing for over 65,000 years. Our First Nations are absolutely essential to the uniqueness of Australia. We long for the time when Aboriginal Australians have their true history and place in this nation. Recognition, reparation and meaningful parliamentary action with our full support is required.

1. The Committee 2022

President: Jan Aitken

Vice President: Jan Mackenzie

Secretary: Diana Warell

Treasurer: Bill Pretty

Convenor of the Friends of the Moor-ru Grasslands: Jill Kellow

Mailing List Manager: Bob West

Nillumbik Shire Councillor: Natalie Duffy

Committee Members: Cassie May, Hilary Peake, Adrienne Jones, Julie Allen

Jann Darvill, Monique Hayes, Gillian Essex .

Council staff assisting: Lauren Treby and April Wilson

No organisation can work without committee members who put in the hard yards. For each event, for each activity the committee is there. Thanks to each member for invaluable service.

2. Events

a. 26 January 2022: We participated in the Nillumbik Shire’s flag raising which preceded the Citizenship Ceremony. While we stand with our First Nations in supporting a change of date for Australia Day we participated in order to ensure that First Nations have a presence as flags are raised. They were unacknowledged on the 26 January 1788 in Sydney Cove. Never again.

b. Sorry Day 26 May 2022: Primary school leaders were invited and about 140 came with their Principals, teachers and parents. With members of Nillumbik Shire Council staff, Councillors, Vicki Ward MP, and members of NRG we were a crowd in Alistair Knox Park. Eltham Prmary School welcomed us with clap sticks, Uncle Ian Hunter gave a Welcome to Country, Richie Williams played didg, Briar Hill and St Andrews PS students gave Acknowledgements. Montmorency PS students told us what they know about about the meaning of Sorry Day.

We were thrilled that there were Aboriginal contributions to our special service. Four Aboriginal students from Eltham North PS gave their special messages, Corrie Nicholson and her daughter Ollie (from Eltham HS) read a poem by Ali Cobby Eckerman and Ostara Findeis read Spiritual Song of the Aborigine by Hyllus Maris.

At the close of the ceremony, students walked through the smoke created by Uncle Ian Hunter and continued across the park in a Reconciliation Walk along a Sea of Hands, clap sticks echoing. Julie Allen had prepared Sorry Day gum leaves, a memento for each student. Committee members: Jan, Hilary, Adrienne, Julie. All other committee members assisted on the day.

c. Reconciliation Week Flag Raising: In partnership with the Nillumbik Shire Council we participated in this very celebratory event at the flag poles at the Civic Offices in Greensborough. Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Ian Hunter officiated with a Welcome and clap sticks and song, Ganga Giri Indigenous Performers entertained us and helped us with Reconciliation. Mayor Frances Eyre, Firecarrier students from Catholic Ladies College, Jan and Natalie spoke about the theme: Be Brave Make a Change and the Shire treated us to morning tea. This event was live streamed.

Committee members: Jan, Diana, Hilary, Natalie.

d. NAIDOC: This year we partnered with St Margaret’s Social Justice Group and their Yarning Circle team to bring members of the First Peoples’ Assembly to speak about the Victorian Treaty developments. We had a crowd but the speakers were all ill and unable to attend! Fortunately we had Jhdara Jones.

He is the Community Engagement Officer with the First Peoples’ Assembly. He proved an excellent speaker, knowledgeable, articulate and personable.

Katrina North from Amnesty International spoke about campaign work for raising the age at which children can be imprisoned. (currently 10yrs).

Committee members: Diana, Jan, Jann, Bob, with Kathleen, David and Helen from Social Justice Group and Yarning Circle..

e. Remembrance Day 2021: At a ceremony held at the War Memorial Tower in Kangaroo Ground on Sunday November 7 Jan and Jann laid a wreath from Nillumbik Reconciliation Group honouring all Aboriginal service men and women.

f. Annual General Meeting 2022: We are celebrating many community reconciliation actions this year. We have invited individuals and organisations who want to extend Reconciliation in Nillumbik to meet with two important Shire officers. Uncle Joel is working with the Shire on their Reconcilliation Action Plan. He comes from Indigenous Employment Partners. Vicky Bonafede has been appointed the Aboriginal Partnerships Officer and is keen to meet community people.

g. The GAYIP Twenty Five Years On. This event will take place on 28 May 2023, exactly 25 years since the Nillumbik Shire held a Gayip (a Wurundjeri Gathering) and handed Uncle Ian Hunter an Apology and Memorandum of Understanding. At that event in Wingrove Park, Eltham High School Symphonic Band featured. Next year, they will do this again and Uncle Ian will be there too. It will be held in the Community and Reception Centre. The excellent programme will include the Djirri Djirri Dancers and Yorta Yorta musician and speaker Scott Darlow.

3. Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Consultations

Each month, Wurundjeri Aunty Julienne Axford and Aunty Gail Smith meet with

Members of the Shire staff, councillors and community group representatives.

NRG is pleased to be at this meeting each month. We are learning more of

Wurundjeri protocols, how to work with respect for First Nations Peoples. Jan

Mackenzie has attended these meeting regularly.

4. Community

a. Eltham Cricket Club: We had some consultations with ECC who were planning to find an Aboriginal artist to design guernseys; they wanted to develop ideas about bringing into their club knowledge of Aboriginal history and respect for Elders. A visit to the Gawa Trail was organized for their younger players and their families guided by Diana, Bob and Hilary. The Opening of the season with the presentation of the shirts was a beautiful occasion. Uncle Bill Nicholson gave the Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony. Scott Hurst, President at the time, spoke from his heart about the importance of Aboriginal recognition for us all. He then presented Jan Aitken with a cheque for $750 as a tribute to the work of NRG. We were overwhelmed with this generosity and appreciation.

b. Information requests. We have a number of emails each month with enquiries from diverse groups as to how to contact Wurundjeri, how to do an Acknowledgement, how to put signage into a native garden, when to have a Welcome to Country and so on. It tells me that many people in the community are thinking Reconciliation and ways of practicing it.

c. Wildcats Basketball Club. Jan Mckenie met with Sophie Foote regarding active Reconiliation for their club. We were invited to attend their Indigenous round, the team wearing Guernseys designed by a former Indigenous student from Eltham High School. Guest speakers, didgeridoo with Richie Williams and Indigenous music continued during the games.

d. U3A First Nations class: this class has run for 4 years. This year it has been led by Jan Aitken, Gillian Essex, Jan Mackenzie and Helen Bostok. We have had 25 on our roll with 15-20 attending each week. After Acknowledgement, news items, a poem or a song, we have a topic for the day; we use films to bring Aboriginal voices into the room and have open discussion. We have all learnt a great deal. We also visited the Indigneous Art Exhibition at St Margaret’s Anglican church and admired the new Yarning Circle.

e. Yarning Circle, St Margaret’s Anglican Church: Jan gave the Acknowledgement when the Bishop of Melbourne opened the Yarning Circle which is situated on land beside the church which an early newspaper report identifies as a place where Wurundjeri people gathered in the early days of settlement.

f. Primary Schools. Eltham PS invited us to talk to grades 3 and 4 about early Wurundjeri life. Diana, Jan, JanMac and Natalie presented this talk. From that meeting the school have progressed their Reconcilation journey obtaining a council grant for an Indigenous Plants garden which was opened with a Smoking Ceremony performed by Uncle Perry Wandin.

Eltham North PS held a special Cultural Day in August. This was part of the Adventure Playground Project as this school will have responsibility for keeping the Seasons sign up to date. Three Aboriginal educators led by Uncle Bill Nicholson taught classes during the day along with other relevant activities provided by school staff.

g. Yarra Plenty Heritage Group: Jan Aitken has met on behalf of NRG with the other historical societies in the region. It is important to give Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people their significant place in our history.

h. Rotary Town Fair: We have a stall at this fair. This year we will distribute Gawa Trail Brochures, copies of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and information on the Victorian Treaty and the Voice, subject of a referendum to come. An activity for children will be included.

i. Eltham Sea Scouts : Under the leadership of Meredith Bubner and after discussions with NRG the ESS now display the three flags of Australia in their hall and have learnt from education sessions with Uncle Ian Hunter.

j. North Eastern Montessori School invited NRG to visit and talk about Reconciliation and what else the school might do. As a result of this meeting a number of students attended our Sorry Day event.

k. Reconciliation in community: Many sports groups and community groups are taking their own Reconciliation initiatives. NRG has the feeling of being amongst many others who are now taking action. Eltham North Cricket Club, Diamond Valley Basketball Club, Yarambat Football Club and Greensborough Hockey Club to name four of them.

5. Website and Mailing list

a. Eric Staff, our webmaster is now working with one of our committee, Monique Hayes, on reviewing the website. Monique will organize current contributions to the website each month with events and news items.

b. Our mailing list is kept up to date by Bob West who sends out newsletters and flyers and information. You can be added to the mailing list by joining NRG online from the website nrg.org.au

c. Facebook: We also have a Facebook account.

6. Gawa Trail and the Moor-rul Reconciliation Grasslands

a. The Gawa Wurundjeri Resource Trail is at 873 Eltham-Yarra Glen Road, Watsons Creek. A self guided walk, it has 11 plaques along its 350 metres length with information on Wurundjeri use of plants and animals pre-settlement. Supervised walks with members of the NRG can be organised for schools and early learning groups. We also take responsibility for maintenance with assistance from the Shire’s Environmental Works department and the Narrap Team.

The Nillumbik Child Care group visited the trail: mums, staff and little ones walked and rode aoround with commentary from NRG members. And the Eltham Cricket Club youth with parents also visited, enjoying the walk and the fire.

b. The Moor-rul Reconciliation Grasslands are situated on Garden Hill in Kangaroo Ground, just below the Memorial Tower and Park. Established in 2009 with a rabbit proof fence, our team of Friends have been weeding and planting grasses and forbs. We appreciate assistance from the Shire. Slashing, burning, weed control and provision of tube stock have been invaluable. The group meets on the first Sunday of the month at 10 am. Contact Jill Kellow, Convenor of the Friends Group if you would like to enjoy a morning on the side of a hill, weeding and planting. (jnkellow@gmail.com)

c. Panton Hill Bushland Reserves: Our representative on this group is Bob West. The comunity consultation group meets with Shire environmental staff to make decisions about the management of these reserves. This year has seen consultation about art work from a Wurundjeri artist.

7. Eltham North Adventure Playground

In 2018, Natalie Duffy organized an entry into Pick My Project, an initiative

of the Victorian State Government. The project won an award for this area

and we have been working on it since. NRG joined with a Community

Reference group who have consulted with the Nillumbik Shire Council on the

installations. We thank Nicole Johnson for her iinclusive approach to the
management to this project.

          To date a native garden, a Seasons sign, a pottery path made by local school
          children with Mary Lou Pittard, and signage giving information about these
         elements have been completed. Still to be completed is a mosaic as the
         centrepice of a gathering place surrounded by large stones for an open air
          classroom and pages of Aunty Joy Wandin’s book, Welcome to Country, to be
          installed in the playground. When all is completed we will hold a celebratory
          opening.

8. Business meetings

These are held monthly and we have not yet moved on from Zoom

meetings. With so many activities there is often a great deal to discuss

and make decisions about.

Members who are unable to attend committee meetings or who would

prefer not too can opt to be part of an Event Support Team which will

form an essential part of managing events.

15. Supplementary and urgent business

Nil

16. Confidential reports

Nil

17. Close of Meeting

The meeting closed at 7:56pm.

Confirmed: _______________________________

Cr Ben Ramcharan, Mayor