Our Reconciliation Journey
Greater Dandenong City Council began its formal reconciliation journey in July 1995 with the adoption of a Statement of Commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This declaration acknowledged their right to self-determination and marked a symbolic step toward reconciliation.
Council deepened its commitment in 2008, by issuing a formal apology for the historical injustices caused by past governmental policies, including the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Building on these foundations, Council launched its first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in November 2017. This two-year plan aimed to enhance understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, engage staff and stakeholders in reconciliation efforts, and foster respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s Culture and knowledge.
While implementation of some initiatives presented challenges, they were embraced as learning opportunities. Council staff demonstrated a strong willingness to adapt and ensure that actions were authentic, collaborative, and community led.
In late 2019, the Council endorsed the development of a second Innovate RAP (2021–23), with a focus on embedding reconciliation across all areas of Council operations. A significant milestone during this period was the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council’s recognition of the Bunurong people as the Traditional Custodians of all land within the City of Greater Dandenong. This boundary realignment increased the responsibilities of the Bunurong Land Council, and the Council actively supported their growth and capacity building, ensuring meaningful consultation across all Council business.
In December 2024, Council endorsed the redevelopment of its Third Innovate RAP for July 2026-June 2028 as part of its ongoing commitment to the advancement of Reconciliation.
Council has continued to walk alongside the continue to walk alongside Bunurong Land Council, as Traditional Custodians and our wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait community, in engaging their voice and consultation in the development of Council Third Innovate RAP.
RAP Reference Group and RAP Internal Steering Committee
Two significant advancements endorsed by the Council are the proposed establishment of a RAP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reference Group, and a RAP Internal Steering Committee.
The Reference Group will enable Council to formally seek the views and wishes of the wider Greater Dandenong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Elders who live, work, and play within our municipality.
The Reconciliation Action Plan Reference Group will uphold the rights to truth, justice, equality and self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Community Engagement
The consultation process was split into two phases:
- A deliberative consultation with the Bunurong land Council, as Traditional Custodians and the RAP Reference Group as representatives of the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
A broader municipal wide engagement providing socialisation of the draft RAP and an opportunity for feedback.
Key themes identified from the deliberative consultation were:- Truth-telling
- Cultural Safety and Cultural Awareness
- Communication
- Engagement
These key themes have been used to influence the priorities reflected in this plan and the projects to be undertaken each year. While many actions are determined by Reconciliation Australia, we value your input on advancing Reconciliation and promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and History.
Council undertook formal community consultation and engagement in March 2026.
We invited all community members to share their ideas on how the Council can:
- Build and strengthen relationships
- Show respect to Traditional Owners, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living and or working on Bunurong country and their culture
- Improve opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in City of Greater Dandenong through areas of Employment, Education, Health, Cultural preservation, and community engagement.
The RAP focuses on the four domains as guided by Reconciliation Australia Innovate RAP Framework which are:
- Respect
- Relationships
- Opportunities
- Governance
More information:
Download and read the RAP Reference Group Expression of Interest - 555KB
Download the Terms of Reference - 288KB
The Internal Steering Committee will ensure that the Council has the appropriate governance mechanism in place to strengthen and drive reconciliation advancement, both internally and externally.
Download the RAP Governance Structure - 28KB
To find out more about Reconciliation, visit the Reconciliation Australia website.
Reconciliation Action Plans
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2026-28
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2026-28
Development of Our Third Innovate RAP
The priorities outlined in Council’s Third Innovate RAP are the result of an intensive community consultation process, an examination of municipal data, legislative requirements and Council’s ongoing commitment to reconciliation. With Self-determination the underpinning framework, it was important for Council that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community were directly consulted in relation to matters that affect them and that their voices were forefront to decision making.
RAP Governance
Council’s endorsement of its third RAP was supported by a strengthened governance framework to guide its development and implementation.
Reconciliation Action Plan January 2021 - December 2023
Council's second Innovate RAP 2021-23 was co-designed with the Bunurong Traditional Custodians and Elders; Councillors and Greater Dandenong City Council Officers; and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within our local government area.
This includes: creating meaningful partnerships that empower and embrace Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ involvement and leadership in decision-making; promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and experiences, free of racism and discrimination; equitable employment and business opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and improving the health and wellbeing of Australia’s First Peoples who live in, work in, and contribute to the Greater Dandenong community.
Since completing our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2021–23, Council’s reconciliation work has been recognised at national, state and local levels for working well with Traditional Custodians and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
Read the Reconciliation Action Plan January 2021 - December 2023 - 6.1MB
Awards and other important highlights from the last RAP include:
- Winner of the National Local Government Award - Indigenous Category Wominjeka flags project.
- Winner of the LG Pro 2024 Local Government Award - Indigenous Category service delivery - Balit Booboop Narrkwarren Indigenous Health Partnerships Initiative program.
- Winner of the 2024 Reconciliation Victoria Maggollee Awards- Indigenous Category for the Balit Booboop Narrkwarren Indigenous Health Partnerships Initiative program.
- The Waa and Bulln Fire Pit was awarded the 2023 LG Pro Award for Excellence in First Nations Community Partnership Initiative. This initiative was in partnership with the Bunurong and Wurundjeri Land Councils.
- Notice of Motion endorsed by Council declaring support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in its entirety and affirming support of YES Vote for the National referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament.
Other key deliverables completed and achievements Cultural Recognition:
• Council erected acknowledgement plaques across all main Council buildings with a statement endorsed by Bunurong Land Council.
• Acknowledgment of Country lanyards for 500+ staff produced and meeting room cards created.
• Over 68 ceremonial Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies held during the last RAP.
Community Engagement:
• Annual Reconciliation Week events held (300+ attendees),
• National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) NAIDOC grant partnership with Bunurong Land Council and wider community
• Providing for community led NAIDOC Week celebrations and Blak Market.
• Council partnered with Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV), Multicultural Communities of Victoria and Nairm Maa Djambana, in holding a National Referendum YES Campaign forum. Health & Wellbeing:
• Mums and Bubs Antenatal Yarning Circle program rolled out with Nairm Maa Djambana and Dandenong and District Aborigines Cooperative (DDACL) across two Local Government Areas (LGAs).
• Community engagement partnership with Quit Victoria and Aboriginal health services, in delivery of smoking cessation initiatives.
• Creation of Children’s Acknowledgment films.
Youth and Sports:
• 2023 Inaugural Koorie Statewide Junior Basketball Carnival held at Dandenong Stadium in partnership with Bunurong Sports Association.
• Statewide Koorie Senior Netball/ Football Carnival (5,000+ participants) delivered in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL) held at Tatterson Park and Springers Leisure Centre.
Arts and Culture:
• Link Road, Noble Park formally renamed and Gazetted to Muderra Way.
• Muderra Way art project.
• Wominjeka Flag project.
• Railway Parade Public Arts project.
• Exhibitions e.g., WILAM BIIK with 3,200+ attendees.
• Performances by Aboriginal creatives, Kutcha Edwards and the Sapphires at the Drum Theatre.
Caring for Country and Environmental Collaboration:
• Contracting of the Bunurong Bushlands Ranger team, twice a week to support two-way capacity building and creation of urban forests.
• Sponsorship of eight local Aboriginal young men, to attend the Dardimunwurro Cultural exchange program for youth
