News

New Swan Hill-Kerang Advisory Body for Mildura Aboriginal Corp

Tue, 07 May 2013 12:37:00

Koori people in the Swan Hill and Kerang areas are being offered the chance for more input to the delivery of services by the region’s peak Aboriginal body.

“MAC already provides a terrific range of health, family and community services in the Swan Hill and Kerang areas, but we aim to continuously improve what we are doing,” said MAC chief executive Rudolph Kirby.
“The concept of an advisory body has worked really well in Balranald, and we want to give the same opportunity to Swan Hill and Kerang.
“The aim is to give local communities input on decisions about the sorts of services that will lead to healthier and more prosperous Koori communities in all our towns.”
The committee will meet quarterly, and will include four community representatives and two Elders.  It will also seek representation from local councils, hospital and health and education groups. Mr Kirby or a MAC delegate will also sit on the committee.
The committee will be co-chaired, with MAC, and the other to be determined by the Advisory group.
“The committee’s role is to provide support and guidance to MAC on its services and programs, and MAC itself has a role to consider the advice and recommendations of the group in good faith,” Mr Kirby said.
The new body comes after the first Swan Hill-based board-member Rob Connelly was appointed to the MAC board in March.
Mr Kirby said MAC was keen to hear directly from the Swan Hill and Kerang communities on how to improve and enhance service delivery to their communities.
“The principles of the committee are based on goodwill, equality, honesty, transparency and respect, and of course it will only work if it is a genuine partnership,” he said.
“Swan Hill and Kerang community members have told us they are keen for more direct input, so here is the opportunity.
“We know there are good strong community members out there who are keen to be involved and we would encourage them to put up their hand.”
Expressions of interest close on May 17.  Interested people should contact Ada Peterson and or Rob Connelly.