Local Reconciliation Groups
ANTaR Victoria's strength lies in its extensive network of local groups.
Activities
Many ANTaR local groups are oriented to Local Government, working to promote community education and recognition of Indigenous presence and history. Some groups have been successful in entrenching flag-raising at annual events such as Sorry Day and NAIDOC, others have worked with their local council on Reconciliation commitments and policy/action plans.
Most groups stage an annual or new major event each year, including exhibitions, picnics, writing competitions, murals, gardens and tree-planting, a resource and healing trails, historic markers and a yearly Reconciliation Service. Information dissemination and awareness-raising by groups include producing resource kits for schools, as well as newsletters. Regular activities such as heritage walks and film nights have been initiated or continued this year.
Some local groups maintain a presence in the community via stalls or activities at community events and festivals, considering this an important way of keeping reconciliation alive and visible.
Please explore the information available for contact details and an indication of some activities by local groups (see menu on left).
Local Groups networking meetings
In partnership with Reconciliation Victoria, ANTaR Vcitoria supports groups by holding networking meetings on Saturdays every 2 months to bring together representatives from local groups and to promote mutual learning and support in their work. Co-convened by representatives and/or volunteers from both organisations, the majority of local groups attend one or more meetings each year.
Networking meetings function to provide mutual support and learning between groups. Groups share project ideas and strategies on working with schools and local governments, as well as discussing issues such as ‘Reconciliation: What is it? Who is it for?’ and ‘Supporting and Identifying Indigenous Voices’.
2005 boasted the first local groups conference, ‘Regenerating reconciliation, generating action’, held at RMIT in October
Bass Coast/South Gippsland Reconciliation Group
Primary Contact
Ian Hamilton
Ph: 5662 3902
Email: froghollow@dcsi.net.au
Secondary Contact
Annie Bailey
Ph: 5671 9200
Email: annie.bailey@bcchs.com.au
Boroondarra ANTaR
Primary Contact
David Crawford
Ph: 9859 3536
Email: dcrawford_2004@yahoo.com.au
Secondary Contact
Michel Beuchat
Ph: 9859 5840
Email: mbeuchat@beuchats.com
Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group
Primary Contact
Ron Milligan
Ph: 5221 5597
Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group aims to foster and promote reconciliation in the region. "One Fire" reflects our desire to achieve the meeting of people "around the fire" in mutual respect and understanding.
Our objectives are to consult with Aboriginal Elders and community to develop policies, recommendations and action plans in pursuit of the following:
- Actively promote reconciliation in the Geelong region;
- Raise public awareness of Aboriginal history and culture, and of Aboriginal issues such as health, housing, employment, education and cultural heritage preservation;
- Work with all levels of government to identify and overcome issues contributing to Aboriginal disadvantage in health, well-being and opportunity;
- Work with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative to address local Aboriginal issues;
- Promote the integration of Aboriginal and non- Aboriginal history within the various educational bodies of the region.
Mallacoota District Reconciliation Group
Primary Contact
Jean Nickels
Ph: 5158-0367
Email: jeannickels@bigpond.com
Maroondah Movement for Reconciliation
Primary Contact
Janet Bachsinar
Ph: 9738 1045
Email: garnseyjm@gmail.com
Monash Reconciliation Group
Primary Contact
Felicity Smith
Ph: 0412 772 711
Email: t2rexx@optusnet.com.au
Nillumbik Reconciliation Group
Primary Contact
Jan Aitkan
Ph: 9439 0342 / 0407 682
Email: aitken59@bigpond.net.au
Secondary Contact
Diana Warrell
Ph: 9439 8565
Email: dcwarrell@bigpond.com
The Nillumbik Reconciliation Group grew out of an Advisory Committee delegated by the Nillumbik Shire Council to arrange a ceremony promoting Reconciliation. As a result of that Committee's recommendations, a formal document of Acknowledgement, Apology and Commitment was presented by the Council to Wurundjeri Elders at Gayip (the Woiwurrung word for an inter-clan gathering or ceremony) in May 1998 at Wingrove Park.
In 2008 the Council unanimously passed a Reconciliation Charter setting a Reconciliation framework for all Shire initiatives and activities. NRG continues to work with Council on an Action Plan promoting Reconciliation in Nillumbik.
For further information visit http://home.vicnet.net.au/~nrgp/
Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation
Primary Contact
Rosemary Rule
Ph: 9507 5567
Email: rule@comcen.com.au
Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation Inc. (PPCfR) is a voluntary community group
affiliated with Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation (ANTaR) Victoria. We
receive funds from, and work closely with, the City of Port Phillip, participate in
events such as Sorry Day, NAIDOC Week, local community festivals, host talks and
publish Mungo, an informative monthly newsletter. Meetings are held at 6.30pm
on the third Tuesday each month in The Community Hub attached to the South
Melbourne in Fishley Street, and are open to all. www.ppcfr.org
Queenscliff Reconciliation Mob
Primary Contact
Jo Whitehead
Ph: 5258 1722
Email: guku@aapt.net.au
Secondary Contact
John Murray
Ph: 5258 4397
Reconciliation Banyule
Primary Contact
Wally Johnson
Ph: 9499 4404
Email: walmarg@aapt.net.au
Secondary Contact
Peter Harvey
Ph: 9499 2005
Email: harveypet@gmail.com
Reconciliation Manningham
Primary Contact
Jim Poulter
Ph: 9842 3598
Email: jpoulter@aapt.net.au
Secondary Contact
Gwyn Roberts
Ph: 9848 2039
Email: glrob@bigpond.net.au
Shepparton Reconciliation Group
Primary Contact
Fran Smullen
Ph: 0409 012 228
Email: fransmullen@mcmedia.com.au
Secondary Contact
Dierdre Robertson
Ph: 5821 6600 / 5854 836
Email: respect@mcmedia.com.au
Stonnington Citizens for Reconciliation
Primary Contact
Keith Gove
Ph: 9819 9106
Email: kgove@ozemail.com.au
TR@K Towards Reconciliation at Knox
Primary Contact
Ray Higgs
Ph: 9758 1009 / 9554 821
Email: higgzes@optusnet.com.au
Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation
Primary Contact
Howard Tankey
Ph: 9898 2514
Email: howardtankey@iprimus.com.au
Whittlesea Reconciliation Group
Primary Contact
Donna Wright
Ph: 9217 2389
Email: donna.wright@whittlesea.vic.gov.au