Aboriginal Services
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Leichhardt Municipal Council has a long history and association with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the Leichhardt Local Government Area (LGA).
Council values it’s culturally diverse community and is committed to the principals of Reconciliation. Council supports these principals by working consistently in partnership with its local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and broader communities, always ensuring that the process is based on respect, trust and a spirit of openness.
Council believes that an important part of demonstrating respect for difference is firstly acknowledging and accepting that our community it made up of many different people from all spheres of life who have made the Leichhardt LGA their home and bring with them their own uniqueness. Click on the following link to view Leichhardt Council's Reconciliation Statement 
Leichhardt Reconcilation Statement (371.17kB)
Leichhardt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (LATSICC)
The Leichhardt Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (LATSICC) was formally endorsed by Council in 2005.
LATSICC’s primary objectives are:
- To provide a forum for people who live or work in the Leichhardt Local Government Area (LGA) to discuss issues affecting people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, and develop recommendations for consideration by Council;
- To assess the need for access by people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds to Council's facilities and services, and recommend to Council for improving access;
- To act as a consultative mechanism for Council to learn more about the needs and current issues within the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community;
- To increase public awareness and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history;
- To involve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their advocates in Council's planning and decision-making process; and
- To work with Council staff in developing its Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week activities for the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The Officer bearers for this Committee are:
Chairperson: Mr Robert Webb
Deputy Chairperson: Cr Cassi Plate
In order for LATSICC to be an effective aporatus for Council, it requires community support. Council asks all community members to keep an eye Council’s website for updates
All LATSICC meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of every second month at the Leichhardt Town Hall Supper Room starting at 6.00pm effective 18 March 2009.
Meeting Dates:
18 February
15 April
17 June
19 August
21 October
16 December
All are welcome to attend.
For more details about the LATSICC, contact Council's Aboriginal Community Development Officer on (02) 9367 9246.
Building Better Futures: Protocols for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communication, Consultation and Consent 2nd Edition
Consultation is essential in the development of meaningful relationships and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
The involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the development and implementation of Council’s Community and Cultural Plan allows for a genuine understanding of each others history, culture and contemporary issues.
Building a relationship between Council and our local Aboriginal community will enhance the living experience of our residents, businesses and general community members, and promote Reconciliation through better understanding.
This document was developed to support Council and the community in their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols and perspectives and was written in consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities of the Leichhardt LGA.
This document is to provide the community and council with a reference point to understanding the importance of protocols when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures and is designed to be an instrument guide to understating Indigenous peoples, their culture and their lifestyles. The aim of this document is to provide a comprehensive, user friendly resource for council and community members in the use of appropriate protocols for the NSW Aboriginal region and is also a resource for Council staff on the appropriate methods and behaviours required to liaise, consult and engage with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community. Click on the following link to view the Building Better Futures document Buidling Better Futures (4.40MB)
Eastern Regional Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum
Since 1999, Leichhardt Council has participated as a member of the Eastern Region Local Government and Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Forum along with five Local Government Areas including; City of Botany Bay, City of Sydney, Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra.
The Forum’s central objective is to promote Reconciliation events and activities throughout all the ERLGATSI Forum LGAs.
The Forum includes local government and community representatives who meet every two months. Its aim is to develop policies and strategies at a regional level which further local government commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Forum enables networking and the sharing of information, issues and ideas, and a regional or coordinated approach when appropriate. The Forum employs a coordinator 10 hours per week in a designated Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander position. The Forum expands the knowledge and networks, and so the capacity, of each member council.
Important Events in the Forum's Calendar include:
Aboriginal Heritage
Callan Park - Heritage Walk
The only known Aboriginal sites within Leichhardt, eight altogether, are located in two areas at Callan Point within the grounds of Rozelle Hospital, and at Yurulbin Point's parts of the municipality's natural shoreline that have remained largely undisturbed.
Evidence of whatever other sites existed has been destroyed by extensive reclamation of the shoreline and development.
The five sites identified at Callan Point are shell middens in sheltered areas close to the water's edge where groups camped or stopped for a meal.
These middens which, like other sites in Port Jackson, contain rock oysters, cockles, mussels and Terrebralia shells, have been dated at about 4,500 years old.
The three other sites have been identified on private land. Two are midden sites located under rock overhangs, and the other is an art site with hand stencils and a charcoal outline of a shark.
Principles of Co-operation Between Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (Metro) and Leichhardt Council
Leichhardt Council recognises the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (Metro) as the custodians of Aboriginal land, cultural sites and landscapes.
Metro has spiritual and cultural ties to the land of the Leichhardt area.
The Leichhardt Council is the elected representative body for Leichhardt residents and the consent authority for development and building within the area.
Given the major stakeholder status of the parties, good communication, consultation and an agreed framework for negotiating development is essential and both have entered into the Principals of Co-operation.
Click on the following link to view the Principles of Co-operation document Principles of Co-operation (19.40kB)
Events
Council provides events for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community to come together and celebrate culture. Council also provides events to the Aboriginal community. This is a service Council provides on an annual basis. The events that are provided are for NAIDOC week, National Sorry Day, Family Fun Days, Reconciliation week and so on. For more information on Aboriginal Services please contact Council's Community Development Officer - Aboriginal Services on (02) 9367 9246.
National Reconciliation Week
Each year National Reconciliation Week celebrates the rich culture and history of the first Australians. It's the ideal time for all of us to join the reconciliation conversation, and to think about how we can help turn around the disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
National Reconciliation Week starts in late May till early June.
For more information on NRW visit http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/
National Aboriginal & Islander Day of Celebration - NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC celebrates the survival of Indigenous culture and the Indigenous contribution to modern Australia. All Australians are encouraged to participate in NAIDOC Week activities.
NAIDOC is held the first week of July each year.
See the National NAIDOC website for further details http://www.naidoc.org.au/
For further information please contact:
Craig Greene
Community Development Officer - Aboriginal Programs
Phone: (02) 9367 9246
Email: craigg@lmc.nsw.gov.au