The Huon Valley Council acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the South East Nation, the Melukerdee people of the Huon River and the Lyluequonny people of the Far South. We recognise their continuing connection to land, water and culture, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.

The Huon Valley Council is committed to strengthening our relationships and working partnerships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, so that we can support their languages, culture and heritage to be respected, shared and celebrated into the future.

We have begun development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which will guide and drive our reconciliation efforts as an organisation.

We are starting out at a ‘Reflect’ stage, which means the plan will scope our capacity for reconciliation and set out actions that will prepare our organisation for the journey ahead.

Through a significant engagement process, we hope to understand the aspirations of the local Aboriginal community, the wider Huon Valley community, and our staff. The ideas and feedback received through this process will directly shape the actions set out in the RAP and influence how we approach them.

We are currently making contact with stakeholders so that we can listen to and seek to understand what their aspirations are for reconciliation action in our community, and how they want to see Council approach the RAP.

Image: From the Valley by Reuben Oates