Image
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Council acknowledges the Gweagal, Bidjigal and Gadigal Clans which are the traditional custodians of the land in which we meet and work.
Uluru Statement from the Heart
Bayside Council supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart in line with it's REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan.
We will be working with community leaders, local organisations, and community members to provide factual and accurate information about the Uluru Statement and the Voice to Parliament.
Press the link to read the Uluru Statement from the Heart
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
1,954 people identify as being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander descent in our community. The First Nations population represents 1.1% of the total Bayside population, compared with 4.2% of the NSW population.
What does Council do?
Council is committed to the principles of Reconciliation in the spirit of respect and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and their experiences.
Council's Aboriginal Programs are based on issues affecting people from Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander backgrounds.
Council works with established networks within the Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander communities and government agencies.
Council plans and advocates for resources to support the community and to help facilitate local actions supporting Council’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan.
Services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
|
Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) - Redfern A: First floor, 619 Elizabeth St, Redfern. P: 8303 6600 ALS is an Aboriginal community organisation giving information and referral, and legal advice and court representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children across NSW and ACT. |
P: 9345 4404 Aboriginal Art and Culture Festival held quarterly on Bare Island, La Perouse but also in different locations and events around the city. The Blak Markets allow you to sample and buy the best Aboriginal culture without leaving Sydney. At this fantastic beachside market, browse stalls for Aboriginal paintings and designs, tuck into bush-tucker infused meals and see authentic Aboriginal cultural dance and music performances. Bring your swimming costume too! |
|
Course info: 1300 360 601 A: 333 Abercrombie Street, Chippendale NSW 2008 Australia P: 9217 4878 E: sydney.info@tafe.nsw.edu.au Eora offers catch-up education, cultural courses and a range of TAFE programs. |
MD - Ken Zulumovski M: 0433 346 645 A men’s group that provide programs based in Redfern that teaches life skills training, and motivation, Indigenous healing. |
|
P: 9690 0990 A: 19a Quirk Street (Cnr Quirk & Gordon St) Rozelle, NSW 2039 E: hansdevriese@gunawirra.org.au Provides support to young Aboriginal mothers, weekly group, transport provided. |
La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council P: 02 9311 4282 A: 1 Elaroo Avenue, La Perouse New South Wales 2036 Committed to servicing Aboriginal people and the broader community. |
|
Free call 1800 624 332 A: 4/2 Central Place, Rope’s Crossing. (PO Box 185 St Mary’s NSW 2760) Provides Aboriginal people with support to locate kin, especially due to Stolen Generations removals in the past. The organisation requests members and clients update their contact details with the office, to assist the organisation reunite them with their families. |
Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council A: 72 Renwick St, Redfern NSW 2016 P: (02) 8394 9666 |
|
National Centre for Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) A: 180 George St, Redfern NSW 2016 P: 1300 866 761 NCIE is a not-for-profit social enterprise building solid foundations and solid futures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NCIE provides a low cost gym, swim centre open to all, learn to swim lessons, and support services for Aboriginal youth. |
A: 29–53 Hugo Street, Redfern NSW 2016 P: 9288 5713 |
|
Redfern Jarjum College (Aboriginal Primary School) Education in the Jesuit Tradition A: 117 Redfern St, Redfern NSW 2016 P: 9936 5450 Principal Fran fmccarthy@rjc.nsw.edu.au |
T: 9699 3491 F: 9699 3441 E: reception@tribalwarrior.org A: 180 George Street, Redfern NSW 2016 Support for Aboriginal Youth and Aboriginal Cultural Tours around Sydney Harbour |
|
A: 203 Catherine St, Leichhardt NSW 2040 P: 9550 0178 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander People who are need short term accommodation while visiting Sydney for education, employment, medical, legal or personal reasons. |
Yallamundi P: 02 8396 5300 Provides Intensive Family Based support services to Aboriginal families linked to FACS, to minimise the risk of children going into care. |
|
Yana Mura (“New Directions”) P: 9516 3232 Provides support for pregnant Aboriginal women or Aboriginal mothers with children under 2 years from Camperdown Child & Family Health centre. |
Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women’s Legal Centre A: Addison Road Community Centre Building 13, 142 Addison Road Marrickville NSW 2204 T: 1800 686 587 (NSW only) T: 9569 3847 F: 9569 4210 Wirringa Baiya is a state-wide community legal centre for Aboriginal women, children and youth. Wirringa Baiya focuses on issues relating to violence. The free and confidential service is available to both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and young people. |
|
A: Level 2, 6-8 Crewe Place, Rosebery NSW 2018 P: 9663 5958 |
|
Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
Council created a vision statement for the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), through a series of workshops, with all RAP stakeholders.
Our vision is to create a future built on respect, understanding and empowerment.
Walking together, we will begin our healing journey through truth-telling, listening, acknowledging the past, and embracing our rich cultural history.
The Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan was launched at Council with a healing smoking ceremony on Thursday 26 May 2022. The launch of the Reflect RAP coincides with National Sorry Day and the start of National Reconciliation Week, a time for Australians to learn about our shared histories and cultural achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Council's Reflect RAP is our commitment to start the journey to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration) celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that indigenous people make to our country and society.
NAIDOC Week 2023 is now over, but you can learn more about the event on the NAIDOC website.
ERLGATSIF
Bayside is a proud partner of the Eastern Regional Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum (ERLGATSIF) which highlights our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through Reconciliation and the principles of:
-
Connections & Engagement
-
Respect & Understanding
-
Advocacy and;
-
Accountability
Through our involvement in ERLGATSIF Council seeks to develop co-operative projects and strategies which will:
- Continue to raise awareness of Reconciliation across Local Government Councils that are members of the Forum
- Successfully implement the annual Pauline McLeod Awards for National Reconciliation Week which recognise those “silent achievers” who have worked so diligently in promoting Reconciliation through selfless acts
- Successfully implement annual Reconciliation Week Art Competition
- Provide employment for and build the capacity of an Aboriginal Forum Coordinator
- Build and maintain relationships through information sharing, networking and supporting member Council initiatives
Cultural Days of Significance
The Apology - 13 February.
The anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Apology to Australia's Indigenous People
National Close the Gap Day - 22 March.
Campaign for Indigenous health equality
Sorry Day - 26 May.
Commemorating the Stolen Generation. National Sorry Day provides the opportunity for all Australians to be involved in activities to acknowledge the impact of the policies of forcible removal on Australia's Indigenous populations and, then, to celebrate the beginning of a new understanding.
Reconciliation Week - 27 May to 3 June.
Marking two significant events: the 1967 Referendum (27 May 1967); and the Mabo decision (3 June 1992). The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.
Mabo Day - 3 June.
In an historic judgement delivered on 3 June 1992 the High Court, accepted the land claims from Eddie Mabo and the other claimants overturning the notion that Australia was Terra Nullius (a land belonging to no-one) at the time of colonisation.
Coming of the Light – 1 July.
The Coming of the Light festival marks the day the London Missionary Society first arrived in Torres Strait introducing Christianity to the region. This is a significant day for Torres Strait Islanders, who are predominantly of Christian faith.
National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day - 4 August.
Children's Day, and the week leading up to it, is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. The day is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that community, culture and family play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child.
NAIDOC Week - July
On Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney, followed by a gathering which was attended by over 1000 people. One of the first major civil rights gatherings in Australia, it was known as the Day of Mourning.
Growing support for Aboriginal Rights saw the Day of Mourning become a regular event. From 1940 to 1955, the Day of Mourning was held on the Sunday before Australia Day and was known as Aborigines Day. In 1955, Aborigines Day was moved to the first Sunday in July after it was decided that the day should become not just a protest but a celebration of Aboriginal culture.
In 1974, it was decided that the celebration of culture and awareness should extend over a week from the first Sunday in July (National Aborigines Day) to the second Sunday of July (a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage). With a growing awareness of the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, the event was later expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people.
NAIDOC continues to be held each year from the first Sunday in July to the second Sunday to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.