This National Reconciliation Week, 27 May to 3 June, Gladstone Regional Council is asking residents to join us in taking time to reflect, celebrate and explore how each of us can help along the journey towards reconciliation. 
 
Gladstone Region Councillor and co-chair of Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan Reference Group, Natalia Muszkat said the 2021 National Reconciliation Week theme, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action. 
 
“During recent years we’ve seen more people understanding and speaking up on issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Councillor Muszkat said. 
 
“More than a word. Reconciliation takes action asks people to take this awareness and knowledge and use it as a springboard towards more significant and braver action.” 
 
Cr Muszkat said Council is holding information sessions to educate the community on the importance of the three culturally significant dates that fall during National Reconciliation Week. 
 
“Council’s Community Engagement Centre (142 Goondoon Street) will host three information days covering National Sorry Day (26 May), the 1967 Referendum (27 May) and Mabo Day (3 June),” Cr Muszkat said. 
 
“Two one-hour sessions will take place on each of the respective days. Bookings aren’t required however participants will be required to register their attendance or use the Check in Qld app.” 
 
Cr Muszkat, who was elected to Gladstone Regional Council in November 2018, said she was proud with Council’s achievements towards reconciliation since first launching its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in May 2018. 
 
“It has been really heartwarming to see the progress Council has made towards reconciliation, especially in the past three years,” she said. 
 
“While progress is being made, we still know there is more work to be done. We took a great stride forward with the adoption of our first (Reflect) RAP almost three years ago, and with the December 2020 adoption of our second RAP, Innovate, we are taking further action. 

 “An Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan outlines the actions Council will undertake over the next two years, until January 2023, to support our lasting and meaningful relationships, encourage respect and promote opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in our region. 
 
“Delivering on the actions listed in the Innovate RAP and future RAPs will enable Gladstone Regional Council to continue to encourage an inclusive culture, empower our community and increase positive, productive relationships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Gladstone Region – home to Byellee, Gooreng Gooreng, Gurang and Taribelang Bunda peoples.” 
 
Gladstone Regional Council’s achievements towards reconciliation (since 2018):  

• May 2028 – Council launches its first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
• December 2018 – Formation of the Gladstone Regional Council Reconciliation Action Plan Reference Group
• December 2018 – Council naming of infrastructure assets policy updated to include consultation where an Indigenous name is proposed
• January 2019 – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Protocol Events Policy created
• February 2019 – Reconciliation Page created on Gladstone Regional Council’s website
• April 2019 – Aboriginal Artwork painted on four pillars attached to the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum (GRAGM)
• May 2019 – Gladstone Regional Council hosts its first Reconciliation Elders Morning Tea during National Reconciliation Week
• June 2019 – Council Membership of Supply Nation  
• July 2019 – NAIDOC Week activities conducted
• July 2019 – GRAGM extend an invitation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists to exhibit their work
• May 2020 – Video for Council’s Corporate Orientation Inductions developed  
• June 2020 – Welcome to Country road highway signs installed
• November 2020 – NAIDOC Afternoon Tea with Councillors and Community
• December 2020 – GRC adopts Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
• February 2021 – Formation of our internal RAP Champions Group
• March 2021 – Cultural Awareness Training delivered to Councillors, Executive Leadership Team and Staff
• March 2021 – Council resolves to add three traditional language in its Approved Place Names Register - Ngallil (nar-lee-ill), meaning 'All of Us' in the Gurang language; Gumar (goomar), meaning 'Shield' in the Byellee language and Nutchee, (na-chee) meaning 'Family' in the Gooreng Gooreng language.  

Please visit www.gladstone.qld.gov.au/national-reconciliation-week for more information about National Reconciliation Week and to view a copy of Council’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. 

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