Balit Marra naming message

Balit Marra is a name gifted to us by Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder, Aunty Gail Smith. It means 'strong mob' in Woi-wurrung language, the language of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people and Traditional Owners of Darebin. Aunty Gail felt this was a fitting name to describe Darebin’s Aboriginal community and the draft Darebin Aboriginal Action Plan.

Balit Marra Darebin Aboriginal Action Plan

Council has developed Balit Marra (strong mob) a draft Aboriginal* Action Plan in consultation with the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee. 

We are committed to truth-telling and strengthening partnerships between Darebin’s Aboriginal community members and Council. We want to get the Plan right as a reflection of this enduring commitment.  

The Plan aims to build and maintain relationships, prioritise Aboriginal cultural safety, facilitate general community education on Aboriginal history and the Statewide Treaty process, and empower Aboriginal businesses and people through employment, grants and partnerships. 

We are now seeking community input to refine and strengthen the Plan to ensure it prioritises the voices and needs of Darebin’s Aboriginal community.  

We want to know your thoughts on the Plan’s proposed pillars and actions. 

Do they support Council and community aspirations for the self-determination and cultural recognition of Darebin’s Aboriginal people?  

Have we missed anything? 

How can Council work better with Aboriginal community organisations to have a real impact on the community?  

Council identifies funding priorities when it sets its annual budget. Which actions do you think should be prioritised?

*‘Aboriginal’ is meant to be inclusive of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the context of Aboriginal land

We are committed to getting this plan right

We appreciate that conversations around truth-telling and historical wrongs against Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are complex and may evoke strong emotions. In the interest of ensuring respectful and civil conversation, and to keep feedback focused on this consultation, we will moderate content and remove elements that are deemed disrespectful or not relevant to this project.