Community to lead Inclusion

Published on 26 March 2021

Fuller and Rees image

Ensuring everyone in our community feels included was the driving force behind a Notice of Motion which successfully passed the March Council meeting.

Councillor Dave Fuller raised the Notice of Motion, which called for Council to support its partnership with the Rainbow Ball and to establish a Diversity and Inclusivity Reference Group.

That group will be led by community members, who will be asked to prepare a submission to Council as part of the Budget and Council Plan process.

Among the issues the group will initially consider are:

  • the application of a form of the Rainbow Flag to facilities and social media platforms, particularly on significant days;
  • support for members of the community to participate in LGBTIQA+ functions and events; and
  • what would be required for Council to consider undertaking the Rainbow tick accreditation process.

Cr Fuller said he hoped the process would help all members of the community feel included.

“We want to open the conversation in our community about inclusion,” he said.

“It’s important everyone in our community, especially young people, are supported and understanding of diversity.

“Council will identify gaps and work with the community to take appropriate steps towards having an inclusive community.”

While the group will initially focus on LGBTIQA+ initiatives, its scope will also include other areas where Council can play a role in ensuring our community is inclusive of all. 

Now the Notice of Motion has passed Council will finalise details of the group, before calling for nominations. 

 

The full Notice of Motion can be read below: 

That council undertake the following actions:

  1. Support our partnership for the Rainbow Ball and its associated agencies, both financially and in kind where appropriate, reviewed annually
  2. Initiate a Diversity and Inclusivity Reference Group or Advisory Committee with applicable terms of reference
  3. Ask this group to prepare a submission to council as part of the budget and council plan process to initially consider:
    1. Application of a form of the Rainbow Flag to relevant public facilities, and potentially on social media platforms, particularly on significant days
    2. Support for appropriate members of community to participate in relevant LGBTIQA+ functions and events, either virtually or in person
    3. Resources and the ability for council as an organization to consider undertaking the rainbow tick accreditation process
    4. Utilizing the Youth Development Officer and the Youth Council in conjunction with relevant agencies, to investigate resources required for an open conversation in the community to identify gaps in diversity and inclusivity, particularly for younger people

Subsequent conversations required to ensure our community is supportive, accessible, and inclusive for all, with a report on this due to council in the second quarter of the new financial year.

 

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