Waverley council endorses Uluru Statement and explores community training program
Image: Waverley Mayor Paula Messlos passed a motion to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart at a recent council meeting. Photo: Facebook/Paula Masselos.
By ERIN MODARO
Waverley council has unanimously voted to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and will follow other Sydney councils in creating public awareness campaigns before the upcoming national referendum.
Waverley Mayor Paula Masselos tabled the motion at a recent council meeting to “build community awareness” on the Uluru statement, as well as consult with local First Nations Groups to inform the community engagement program.
Cr Masselos said that her motion “aims to strengthen our relationships with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, community members, peak bodies and community organisations”.
“Embedding a Voice in the Constitution would also importantly mean that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ voice can continue to be heard by successive Governments.”
First Nations community groups such as the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Gujaga Foundation and representatives of the traditional owners of the Sydney area will be consulted and give input into what the community programs will entail.
The motion also calls for the Uluru Statement from the Heart to be displayed in the atrium of the recently re-opened Bondi Pavilion.
Inner West holds civic training
Waverley council’s moves to create a community engagement campaign comes after the Inner West Council announced it would be training over 1000 community members in a civic program.
The program will provide volunteers with workshops to help them understand all facets of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
“This Referendum is only months away and there isn’t a moment to lose in building public awareness about this historic opportunity,” Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said.
