Koorie Engagement Action Group

The Unfinished Business Advisory Committee (UBAC) was established in 2003 as an informal working group to enhance the opportunities for indigenous residents of Ballarat, to contribute, participate and benefit from Ballarat's community life.

Relaunched in 2006, Council established UBAC as an Advisory Committee to Council with fixed membership to be appointed by Council. The relaunch provided Council with an opportunity to confirm its commitment to indigenous reconciliation by creating a formal relationship through a reconstituted committee.

Since 2006 there have been some notable achievements including:

• The 'Welcome to Country' signage project
• The Windmill Playground initiative
• Acknowledgement of traditional owners at Council meetings
•  and Civic receptions.

Over the last six months Council has worked with the local indigenous community on identifying a number of community issues and priorities as part of a Reconciliation Strategy review process. A central theme of the feedback provided was that UBAC is not representative of the local indigenous community and the Committee needs to operate within a different context.

At the UBAC meeting on 16 February 2010, the Committee unanimously endorsed a proposal to re-develop the group as the Koorie Engagement Action Group. The working group will remain as an Advisory Committee to Council. Membership of the group will be through an Expression of Interest process and will include significant indigenous representation.

Major priorities of the KEAG will be to:

• Advise the City of Ballarat on matters of engagement for aboriginal people in the region (not including cultural heritage issues)
• Oversee the implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan

Co-Chaired by the Mayor, the Koorie Engagement Action Group will have a fixed membership, to be appointed on the recommendation of a selection panel.

Indigenous and non-indigenous people from the health & wellbeing, welfare, education, heritage, employment, justice, arts and cultural sectors, as well as the broader community, are invited to apply for positions on the Committee.

To nominate for a position on the Koorie Engagement Action Group, or for more information, contact Helen McIntosh, PO Box 655, Ballarat 3353, 5320 5882 or email helenmcintosh@ballarat.vic.gov.au.

Applications should be forwarded to the above by 5pm, Friday, 21^st May 2010.