Aboriginal Advisory Committee - 17 Jun 2025 10:00 AM

Key decisions

• Aboriginal Advisory Committee to remain directly under Council
  The committee unanimously voted to remain an Advisory Committee directly under Central Coast Council rather than become a subcommittee of the Community and Culture Standing Committee.
  Keeps the committee’s advisory role broad and whole-of-organisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters, including Closing the Gap-related advice.
• First Nations naming conventions endorsed for Gosford Regional Gallery meeting rooms
  Meeting room names in English and Darkinyung language were agreed for the facility, and 'Walambiyiwa' was noted for the library entrance, with a reading area to be named 'The Uncle Keith Chubby Hall Reading Room'.
  Residents using the Gosford cultural facilities will see First Nations language and naming reflected in public spaces from the September opening period.

Important topics

• Aboriginal employment target update
  The committee discussed employment statistics and progress on developing an Employment Strategy.
  Signals ongoing work on Aboriginal employment outcomes within Council.
• Memorandum of Understanding
  The committee discussed drafting a Memorandum of Understanding to be brought back to a future meeting. Vickie Parry and Mel Smith were identified to draft it.
  May shape how Council and Aboriginal stakeholders work together in future.
• Committee communication and profile
  The committee discussed raising the profile of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee, improving staff awareness of its role, and making Aboriginal education resources easier to access.
  Could improve how residents and staff access Aboriginal-related advice, information and engagement pathways.
• Talk Series at Gosford Regional Library
  The committee discussed dates for a talk series, noted 5 September 2025 as the official library opening date, and recorded follow-up to source a location for the event.
  Residents may see new public cultural and educational programming linked to the library opening.
• NAIDOC Week participation
  The committee discussed possible participation by councillors and staff in NAIDOC Week.
  May lead to broader Council involvement in local NAIDOC Week activities and information sharing.

Resident impacts

• The Aboriginal Advisory Committee will continue advising Council directly on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander matters.
• Visitors to Gosford cultural facilities are likely to see Darkinyung language used in room names and signage.
• Council is progressing planning for a public talk series tied to the Gosford Regional Library opening on 5 September 2025.
• Council staff and councillors are expected to receive NAIDOC Week information through a circulated brochure.

Places affected

• Gosford Regional Library (facility)
  Talk series planning and official opening date of 5 September 2025; Darkinyung entrance wording noted.
• Gosford Regional Gallery (facility)
  Naming conventions for meeting rooms and reading room discussed.
• Wyong (locality)
  Meeting venue at 2 Hely Street, Wyong.

Next steps

• Draft a Memorandum of Understanding for return to a future committee meeting
  Future meeting
• Source a location for the Gosford Regional Library talk series event, with liaison involving Newcastle University and Council’s Director of Community and Recreation Services
  From 17/06/2025
• Circulate a NAIDOC Week information brochure to all councillors and staff
  From 17/06/2025

Extracted minutes text

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting Aboriginal Advisory Committee of Council (cont’d) - 1 - Central Coast Council Aboriginal Advisory Committee Held Held in Function Room 2, 2 Hely Street, Wyong 17 June 2025 MINUTES Attendance Members Status Jake MacDonald Present Shahni Wellington Present Vickie Parry Apology Phillip Bligh Present Barry Duncan Present Monica McKenzie Present Colleen Fuller Present Stephen Ella Apology Staff Status Melanie Smith, Director Community and Recreation Services Present Belinda McRobie, Section Manager Community Development Apology Beth Burgess, Unit Manager Community & Culture Present Paul Procter, Team Leader Community Programs Present Lisa Martin, Civic Support Off...