Murdi Paaki meeting in Cobar to discuss collaboration
Wednesday July 29, 2009
Members of the Murdi Paaki Assembly from across the western region gathered at the Cobar Bowling and Golf Club last Wednesday to talk with local government
representatives about a more collaborative relationship with Aboriginal people.
Representatives from eight local Indigenous communities within the Murdi Paaki Assembly met with local government representatives in Cobar last week in an effort to create a more cohesive and collaborative relationship between the two groups.
Chairman of the Murdi Paaki Assembly Sam Jeffries said there needed to be an improvement in the way Aboriginal people engaged with local government.
“We need to get more Aboriginal people involved at a local government level, whether that be through election to councils or as employees,” Mr Jeffries said.
He said this was not currently being
addressed satisfactorily cross the region
with each individual shire having differing circumstances and complexities, but as a group they now needed to work towards a common goal.
“Local government will be the major employer across NSW in 10 to 20 years time.
“Figures show that non-Aboriginal people are leaving in numbers from the western area to go and live in cities while many Aboriginal people are choosing to stay,” Mr Jeffries said.
“This is their country, and where their families are.”
He believes local government should be looking at building up the skill capacity of the permanent population rather than continuing to import skills to the region.
“We all know about it, we all talk about it, now we need to start doing something about it.
“There needs to be constant engagement and constant support between us.”
Among those participants at last Wednesday’s meeting was a group of young Aboriginal leaders.
“Involving our young leaders in today’s discussions is a critical aspect of making it a success,” Mr Jeffries said.
“They are a part of our succession planning process.
“A lot of us older people have an idea of what should be done but it’s the young people who are going to be the future.
“They’ve already made a commitment to stay in their communities and will take on specific leadership roles.”
He commended the maturity of the young leaders who put to the meeting that
only “realistic and achievable” ideas and
goals should be considered, rather than “wish lists”.
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