Reconciliation Action

Mornington Peninsula Shire is committed to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and we acknowledge and pay respect to the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation, as the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waters.

The Shire has an important role to play in promoting and celebrating Aboriginal cultural heritage, as part of the core identity and value of our Peninsula. We are committed to reconciliation and impactful actions, working together with community.

"At its heart, reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians" ‐ Reconciliation Australia

The Shire is proud to be working with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to support meaningful social, cultural and economic outcomes. We know that to do this, strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities must be at the heart of our work.

Our journey towards reconciliation

We developed our Reconciliation Action Plan in partnership with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, our internal Reconciliation Working Group, local Gathering Places and Traditional Owners.

What is a reconciliation action plan?

A Reconciliation Action Plan (or ‘RAP’) explains our commitment to Reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It builds on our understanding, commitment, and respect for culture. Our Innovate RAP:

outlines the tangible actions and initiatives the Shire will take to contribute to reconciliation, both internally and in the wider Mornington Peninsula community
provides tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination
focuses on building three pillars of reconciliation:
- Respect
- Relationships
- Opportunities

The Innovate RAP framework is prearranged and set by Reconciliation Australia.

Did you know?

The Traditional Custodians of the Mornington Peninsula are the Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.

Popular tourist destinations on the Mornington Peninsula’s traditional names (Arthurs Seat – Wonga, Point Nepean – Monmar). For thousands of years our people have met at Wonga (Arthurs Seat), the men would head to Cape Schanck and the women to Point Nepean (Monmar), this is not to say that it is strictly a women’s site, but it is now predominantly known as such. There is a special women’s place here for birthing, women’s ceremony, and initiation of the younger women.

Mornington Peninsula has a relatively young population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The 2021 census showed that 1,724 people on the Mornington Peninsula identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. The median age of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders on the Mornington Peninsula is 23, with just 7.7% of the population over 65.