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HISTORIC DOCUMENT: Zena Wingfield, Mayor Clare McLaughlin, Councillor Tamy Pond and Montana Trevorrow with the Reconcilition Action Plan document at last week's launch. Picture: Whyalla News
Nearly 50 people from across the community turned out for a launch of the City of Whyalla’s new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) last week.
Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin officially revealed the ‘Reflect’ RAP and the image it will carry. Mayor McLaughlin said the RAP had been developed in the spirit of reconciliation and acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the lands upon which the city of Whyalla is built.
Present for the launch were Deputy Mayor Phill Stone and fellow councillors Rick Santucci, Tamy Pond and Zia Westerman along with former mayor Lyn Breuer, members of the Barngarla community and other community members. Montana Trevorrow performed the welcome to country.
The idea for the RAP and the motion was put forward by former Councillor Tim Breuer and approved unanimously by the previous Council.
“The RAP framework allows us to further understand where we need to grow and develop, while demonstrating our commitments, actions and accountability,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“It is based on the core pillars of relationship, respect and opportunities and about turning our good intentions into action.
“Our Reconciliation Working Group was formed to guide the process and to offer collective support and responsibility while providing an avenue to work cohesively with community representatives.
“I am proud to say Whyalla is one of just a few regional Councils, and the only Council on the Eyre Peninsula, to have such a reconciliation plan.”
PROUD MOMENT: Council members of the Reconciliation Action Plan committee, Deb Hughes, Ryan Sutherland, Chris Cowley, Jenny Barnes, Sam Bourne, Paul Mazourek, Mayor McLauglin, Councillor Tamy Pond and Jade Grund. Picture: Whyalla News
Mayor McLaughlin said members of the group, of which she is a member, had collaborated in a respectful, open and safe manner over the last twelve months to guide and focus this RAP. She gave special mention to the “spectacular” RAP artwork.
“The artwork was created by Barngarla artists and sisters Debra Brown and Jeanne Miller,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“The artwork is a representation of the desert meeting the sea, reflecting Whyalla’s location on the Eyre Peninsula and our connection with local communities.
“Debra and Jeanne hope the artwork will bring people of all cultures together in the spirit of reconciliation.”
Mayor McLaughlin said the development of this ‘Reflect’ RAP had laid the foundations of Council and Whyalla’s ongoing reconciliation journey.
“I look forward to seeing this journey progress,” she said.
The RAP working group is: Sam Bourne (Council), Jade Grund (Council), Chelsea Lieberwirth (SAPOL) Deb Hughes (Council), Paul Mazourek (Council), Ryan Sutherland (community), Tamy Pond (elected member), Jenny Barnes (Council), Mayor Clare McLaughlin, Chris Cowley (Council), Jeff Croft (community) and David Hayward (community).