Artwork titled: Clans Water Connection By: Melissa McDevitt-Weston Boon Wurrung Traditional Owner. Read about Melissa’s art in Westernport Water’s Innovate RAP
Reconciliation
Acknowledgement
Westernport Water acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as First Nations People and that the land, sea and water are of spiritual, cultural and economic importance. We recognise that we provide services on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation. The Bunurong Peoples have managed the resources on Millowl for thousands of years. We acknowledge them and their continued connection to this place, as we go about managing the water resources today.
The Bunurong People
The Bunurong are Aboriginal People of the Kulin Nation, who occupy South-Central Victoria, from the east of Port Phillip Bay, Western Port, Cape Liptrap and surrounding areas. The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council notes that there are many different spellings for Bunurong, some common alternative spellings include Boonwurrung, Boon wurrung, Bunwurrung, Boon Wurrung, and Boonoorong.
About Reconciliation
Water Corporations manage a resource that was considered by Aboriginal people as one of the most important and sacred – water. We all need water to survive, and the protection and management of our waterways is just one example of where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and businesses need to work in partnership.
What is Reconciliation?
Reconciliation is about building better relationships, respect and trust between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
What is a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)?
A Reconciliation Action Plan documents what the Corporation commits to do to contribute to reconciliation in Australia. Each RAP has a specific framework with minimum requirements for organisations to realise their vision for reconciliation.
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan October 2023 to October 2025
Reconciliation Australia adopted Westernport Water’s third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on 17 October 2023. The Innovate RAP will enable Westernport Water to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation based on the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities. Read the Westernport Water Innovate RAP 2023-2025…
Upcoming Events
As a leading member of the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network, Westernport Water is co-hosting the following event:
- NAIDOC Week Art Show – 27 June to 6 August – The Centennial Centre, 1 Bent Street Wonthaggi (Free entry)
NAIDOC WEEK
The Annual NAIDOC Art Exhibition at Wonthaggi Artspace showcases and celebrates local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The Bass Coast and South Gippsland Reconciliation Group host the exhibition with support from the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network.
NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is celebrated by all Australians and is a great opportunity to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Exhibition’s official opening is on Sunday 2 July 2023, from 1.00pm at Wonthaggi Artspace and bookings are essential.
The Exhibition is open to the public from 27 June to 6 August 2023 and the gallery is open seven days a week from 11am – 3pm.
Our RAP Working Group
Consists of members of Westernport Water’s workforce and includes representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community and businesses such as the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
New members wanted
Welcome to Country Video
Click the image to view our Welcome to Country video, produced by the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Bass Coast Reconciliation Network
We’re proud to be a member of the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network (BCRN) along with community representatives, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group, Yowengarra Bun Wurrung Balug Clans Aboriginal Corporation, and four of Bass Coast’s leading organisations including Bass Coast Shire Council, Bass Coast Health, Phillip Island Nature Parks and Westernport Water.
The BCRN was established in 2019 and seeks to create a shared future of recognition, opportunity and true partnerships with Traditional Owners and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The Network is an action-based group of organisations committed to:
- sharing time, resources, and knowledge
- being a conduit for organisational and community networking
- building organisational and community knowledge and understanding of reconciliation
- driving positive social change
- presenting a united ‘organisational’ approach to reconciliation
See the video created by BCRN for 2020 Reconciliation Week
Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan
Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is Westernport Water’s second RAP, an Innovate RAP focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, engaging staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, developing and piloting innovative strategies to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Talking, walking, and working together we will build trust and respectful relationships with Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to enable us to achieve positive social change and support the national reconciliation movement.
Innovate RAP May 2020-2022 (5.5 MB)
Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
Our RAP is an agreed plan of how Westernport Water intends to contribute to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their connection to the land and waterways. Our RAP commits to implement specific actions that build respectful relationships and outline opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Westernport Water is at their beginning of its journey to reconciliation and recognition is focused on building the foundations for relationships, respect and opportunities as it develops and implements the actions identified in its Reflect RAP.
View Westernport Water’s endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2019 – Adopted
On the road to Reconciliation
Read about Westernport Water’s Reconciliation journey