Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

2015-2017 Townsville City Council Reconciliation Action Plan

As a commitment to reconciliation with Australia's traditional owners, the development of the Townsville City Council Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has enabled Indigenous issues to be addressed and encouraged the development of positive relationships between local government and Indigenous communities.

Under the Council of Australian Government's "Closing the Gap" Agreement, many Australian councils worked towards the achievement of this goal through their commitment and support for the promotion of reconciliation, participation in important Indigenous events and the development of Indigenous policies and Statement of Commitment.

The RAP provides a framework for the future, detailing steps and priorities to achieve Indigenous equality. There are three main pillars within the RAP process:

1. Relationships
2. Respect
3. Opportunities.

Council's Reconciliation Action Plan provides Council with a documented framework to ensure that issues and priorities which have been identified by the Townsville Aboriginal and Torres Islander community are addressed in a coordinated manner. The plan outlines a number of priority areas, goals, actions and initiatives.

• Townsville City Council Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2017 (PDF, 4.6 MB)

Events

Deadly Digital Communities

This special workshop series is designed for First Nations people to record and video oral histories, preserving and sharing cultural knowledge for future generations. You'll learn how to create powerful oral presentations and store them effectively, ensuring important stories are never lost.

All equipment will be provided. Bookings required for catering purposes.

Running from April to June on Tuesdays at Citylibraries Flinders Street.

Deadly Digital Communities is an initiative of the Queensland Government’s Our Thriving Future: Queensland’s Digital Economy Strategy and proudly supported by State Library of Queensland.

First Nations Book Club

First Nations Book Club explores, celebrates, and discusses literature by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors. Offering participants a deeper understanding of culture, history, and perspectives.

On the second Friday of each month at Citylibraries Aitkenvale.

First Nations Craft & Yarn

A yarning circle focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our community. All members of the community are welcome to participate. Tea and coffee available – come and grab and cuppa and have a yarn at Citylibraries Riverway.

Monthly at Citylibraries Riverway (April 2025 sessions at Citylibraries Flinders Street).

First Nations Family History

Learn how to research your family history using resources from the library, tour of our local history collection and learn how to use the equipment in our digital lounge. Each month will be a themed session our February session will be a beginner’s introduction to researching your family history. Refresh and connect over tea and coffee, in a welcoming environment for shared experiences.

Monthly at Citylibraries Flinders Street.

Yarnin' Circle

Indigenous elders group which works towards preventing social isolation of senior citizens in an informal atmosphere.

More Events

More and current events can be found on What's On Townsville.

For more information on services and programs, contact Council.

Reconciliation Australia RAPS in Action

Reconciliation Australia created four videos showcasing how RAPs are coming to life. They chose four initiatives that illustrate great examples of Relationships, Respect and Opportunities.

Townsville City Council worked closely with local Elders and local Aboriginal artists to create a reflection area in the local cemetery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is a great example of how meaningful relationships with the local community can produce outcomes that the Townsville community can benefit from.

Request for Foliage From Our Botanic Gardens

Townsville City Council recognises that our community at times may want to request the use of plants and other natural materials from Townsville’s local parks and botanic spaces for cultural, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes. To assist in supporting the local community, the Parks and Open Space team welcomes requests for foliage or items from plants from within Council Parks and Open Space that have a link to cultural, religious, educational and/or scientific purposes.

Winners of the Reconciliation Action Plan Competition

First Place: Christine Skeene (Country: Bindal)

At the end of 2018, I had a dream about the rain being suspended in mid-air and so I started painting my dream. Because we were in the middle of a drought, I wasn't sure if I the rains were coming or I was just watching the water being sucked up out of the ground. Fortunately, the heavens opened up and although many people suffered terribly from the Townsville floods, the dams, creeks, rivers, lagoons and billabongs were filled to overflowing. Now in 2019, just over a half year on, our land is thirsty once again and at the mercy of God who sends his rain on the just and unjust. The lightning looks like it's dancing and you can even see a face of an old Aboriginal man.

Christine Skeene

Second Place: Sitarr Wyles (Country: Girramay/Warragamba)

This is one of my important artworks. It represents all the tribes around Girringun area sharing knowledge, wisdom, respecting, understanding and working together and also represents old and the new generations coming and going.

Sitarr Wyles

Third Place: Luke Duffy (Country: Kalkadoon)

I am a Kalkadoon Aboriginal artist from Mount Isa. I have been living and working in Townsville over the past 13 years. The design represents our First Nations people and the pathways they have paved before us. These pathways are our connection to creating better outcomes for our people and community. Working hand in hand keeping the pathway strong and flowing to ensure a brighter future.

Luke Duffy