Council created a vision statement for the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), through a series of workshops, with all RAP stakeholders.

Our vision is to create a future built on respect, understanding and empowerment.

Walking together, we will begin our healing journey through truth-telling, listening, acknowledging the past, and embracing our rich cultural history.

The Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan was launched at Council with a healing smoking ceremony on Thursday 26 May 2022. The launch of the Reflect RAP coincides with National Sorry Day and the start of National Reconciliation Week, a time for Australians to learn about our shared histories and cultural achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Council's Reflect RAP is our commitment to start the journey to explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Celebration) celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements and is an opportunity to recognise the contributions that indigenous people make to our country and society.

NAIDOC Week 2023 is now over, but you can learn more about the event on the NAIDOC website.

Bayside is a proud partner of the Eastern Regional Local Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum (ERLGATSIF) which highlights our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through Reconciliation and the principles of:

1. Connections & Engagement

2. Respect & Understanding

3. Advocacy and;

4. Accountability

Through our involvement in ERLGATSIF Council seeks to develop co-operative projects and strategies which will:

• Continue to raise awareness of Reconciliation across Local Government Councils that are members of the Forum
• Successfully implement the annual Pauline McLeod Awards for National Reconciliation Week which recognise those “silent achievers” who have worked so diligently in promoting Reconciliation through selfless acts
• Successfully implement annual Reconciliation Week Art Competition
• Provide employment for and build the capacity of an Aboriginal Forum Coordinator
• Build and maintain relationships through information sharing, networking and supporting member Council initiatives

The Apology - 13 February.
The anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's Apology to Australia's Indigenous People 

National Close the Gap Day - 22 March. 
Campaign for Indigenous health equality 

Sorry Day - 26 May. 
Commemorating the Stolen Generation. National Sorry Day provides the opportunity for all Australians to be involved in activities to acknowledge the impact of the policies of forcible removal on Australia's Indigenous populations and, then, to celebrate the beginning of a new understanding. 

Reconciliation Week - 27 May to 3 June. 
Marking two significant events: the 1967 Referendum (27 May 1967); and the Mabo decision (3 June 1992). The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.

Mabo Day - 3 June. 
In an historic judgement delivered on 3 June 1992 the High Court, accepted the land claims from Eddie Mabo and the other claimants overturning the notion that Australia was Terra Nullius (a land belonging to no-one) at the time of colonisation.

Coming of the Light – 1 July.
The Coming of the Light festival marks the day the London Missionary Society first arrived in Torres Strait introducing Christianity to the region. This is a significant day for Torres Strait Islanders, who are predominantly of Christian faith.

National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day - 4 August. 
Children's Day, and the week leading up to it, is a time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to celebrate the strengths and culture of their children. The day is an opportunity for all Australians to show their support for Aboriginal children, as well as learn about the crucial impact that community, culture and family play in the life of every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child. 

NAIDOC Week - July

On Australia Day 1938, protestors marched through the streets of Sydney, followed by a gathering which was attended by over 1000 people. One of the first major civil rights gatherings in Australia, it was known as the Day of Mourning.

Growing support for Aboriginal Rights saw the Day of Mourning become a regular event. From 1940 to 1955, the Day of Mourning was held on the Sunday before Australia Day and was known as Aborigines Day. In 1955, Aborigines Day was moved to the first Sunday in July after it was decided that the day should become not just a protest but a celebration of Aboriginal culture.

In 1974, it was decided that the celebration of culture and awareness should extend over a week from the first Sunday in July (National Aborigines Day) to the second Sunday of July (a day of remembrance for Aboriginal people and their heritage). With a growing awareness of the distinct cultural histories of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islanders, the event was later expanded to recognise Torres Strait Islander people.

NAIDOC continues to be held each year from the first Sunday in July to the second Sunday to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.