Manningham Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-25 (RAP) was officially endorsed at the February Council meeting.

This is an important step in ensuring we continue to plan and create opportunities for First Nations peoples and support a culturally safe and thriving city.

Reconciliation Action Plans enable organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. Our new RAP has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and will build relationships, respect and opportunities to advance reconciliation across Manningham.

Manningham Mayor, Deirdre Diamante said the new RAP is the most recent milestone in a journey that began in 1997.

“It was developed in partnership with Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Corporation and local First Nations peoples. We thank them for their contribution and generosity in helping us to produce this document. We also thank the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group who guided its development.”

The Mayor said Manningham is committed to being an inclusive and connected community.

“We proudly acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land and waterways known as Manningham and are respectful of the Victorian First Nations communities. We recognise and respect the deep and continuous connection the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people have for the land Manningham Council operates on.”

“We recognise that although there is still much work to be done, local government has a key role to play in the achievement of reconciliation.”

It is our hope that this RAP supports us to:

• Create meaningful relationships
• Recognise and support First Nations self-determination and cultural rights
• Build understanding of our shared history
• Celebrate, recognise and respect First Nations cultural heritages
• Educate our community on First Nations culture and history and provide them with an opportunity to take an active part in the process of reconciliation.

Our RAP will be officially launched on Saturday 18 March, at the Yaluk Langa (‘River’s Edge’ in Woi-wurrung language) Indigenous garden at Heide, in Bulleen as part of a community day exploring Wurundjeri’s deep connection to land the continuation of a tree scaring project.

• Read our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 - 25
• Find out more about the Yaluk Langa Community Day