Update on the Reconciliation Action Plan survey
Published on 31 July 2018
Loddon Shire residents have given their support for a proposed Reconciliation Action Plan, following a survey of the community last month.
Eighty-nine residents completed the survey, which was available to all community members, either via online or in hard copy.
“There has been overwhelming positive results for the support of Council developing an entry level Reconciliation Action Plan,” Council’s Director Community Wellbeing Wendy Gladman said.
“Overall 77 per cent of people voted yes to the Reconciliation Action Plan’s development. In this figure, 83.8 per cent of women supported the Plan’s development and 59.3 per cent of men.
“Council will now be proceeding with the development of the Plan.”
Reconciliation Action Plans generally guide organisations in building greater awareness, understanding and respectful relationships between our wider community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The survey results are provided in the table below:
|
Do you support Loddon Shire Council developing a Reconciliation Action Plan?
|
Number & % of YES respondents
|
Number and % of NO respondents
|
|
Overall
|
67
|
77%
|
20
|
23%
|
|
Females
|
52
|
83.8%
|
9
|
14.5%
|
|
Males
|
16
|
59.3%
|
11
|
40.7%
|
Respondents were also asked about their levels of support for various actions that are usually included in a typical Reconciliation Action Plan.
These are the results:
|
Action
|
Yes
%
|
No
%
|
Not sure %
|
|
Providing opportunities for Non-Aboriginal residents to have increased understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal history and culture
|
83.9%
|
10.3%
|
5.8%
|
|
Establish a Loddon Shire Reconciliation Group
|
54.5%
|
23.3%
|
22%
|
|
Strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies to assist in Reconciliation Action Plan implementation
|
74.4%
|
19.8%
|
5.8%
|
|
Celebrate National Reconciliation Week through community and Council activities
|
61.6%
|
25.6%
|
12.8%
|
|
Raise within Council the community awareness of Aboriginal culture, history and achievements
|
79%
|
15.1%
|
5.8%
|
|
Celebrate NAIDOC week through both community and Council activities
|
62.8%
|
26.7%
|
10.5%
|
|
Create a culturally welcoming and respectful environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
|
82.8%
|
11.5%
|
5.7%
|
|
Investigate employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents
|
69.8%
|
19.8%
|
10.5%
|
|
Investigate opportunities to support local schools to provide mentoring for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
|
72.4%
|
18.4%
|
9.2%
|
Further breakdown of the results of this survey are now available for the community to view on Council’s website at www.loddon.vic.gov.au , under current projects.
If you are interested in being involved in the development of the Reconciliation Action Plan or would like further information, please contact Council’s Policy and Strategy Officer Christine Walters on 5494 1239 or email cwalters@loddon.vic.gov.au .