Liam McNally
Melton council has opted not to undertake “foundational” Aboriginal Cultural Safety Training, although councillors and senior officers will undertake Cultural Competence training later in the year.
According to The Maggollee, a website developed by Reconciliation Victoria to support engagement between local councils and Aboriginal communities, Cultural Safety, Cultural Awareness and Cultural Competency are three “foundational” areas of training for ensuring local governments are “culturally safe organisations for any work with First Peoples”.
At a council meeting on Monday, March 27, council moved to undertake Cultural Competency training based on a recommendation from the Reconciliation Advisory Committee (RAC), building on Cultural Awareness Training undertaken as a part of councillor’s induction in 2020.
Later in the meeting councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg moved a separate motion, which included the recommendation that councillors undertake Cultural Safety training as well as Competence Training.
Cr Vandenberg said that her motion was based on both community request and her own experiences as a councillor.
“The community is asking for councillors to complete Cultural Competency and Safety Training and I would also just like to raise that as an elected First Nations woman on council I understand the challenges many non-First-Nations people face when engaging with First Nations community,” she said.
“As a result I’ve heard statements made that aren’t culturally appropriate including that Aboriginal people want their own nation, and negative remarks about culturally significant sites.
“The reason why I have put up this motion is to support decision makers including councillors to better understand the importance of First Nations’ issues.”
Councillor Kathy Majdlik said she was “confused” by the motion, citing the training undertaken by councillors in 2020, and the Competence Training adopted by council earlier in the meeting.
“I hope when I ask questions about traditional owners and reconciliation it’s not taken out of context. It is a true desire to learn more and not in a derogatory way so I’m not quite sure I understand Cr Vandenberg’s comments around that,” she said.
Councillor Justine Farrugia agreed with Cr Majdlik.
“I don’t think anyone is going out of their way to intentionally be disrespectful towards our Aboriginal First Nations people and the undertone of this suggests otherwise,” she said.
Kirrip Chief Executive and RAC member Peter Webster said when he watched the council meeting he thought it looked like a “culturally unsafe environment”.
“How can you not want to get educated further?” he said.
“I’m an Aboriginal male and I would welcome doing more cultural training, without a doubt. The more you give me the better.”
