January 24, 2019
Toowoomba Regional Council has appointed nine community members to its new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
They are Caitlin Easton, Christine Hicks, Dean McCarthy, Debra-Lee Anderson, Deena Dodd, Joshua Waters, Nikki Spackmann-Robson, Priscilla Holborn and Tim Knox.
TRC voted to establish an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee in August.
It will be chaired by Cr Geoff McDonald, who said it would help bridge the gap between Council and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“This is the first time Council has had a committee such as this,” he said.
“We received a number of worthy applicants and I’m pleased with the nine community members who were endorsed by Council.
“The members of the committee will provide a platform for timely and direct information sharing between local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Council.
“This is an important step for the entire community and I look forward to seeing the positive outcomes that will come from this new group.”
Some of the core functions of the committee will include:
- The establishment of protocols for working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- The development and implementation of the Toowoomba Regional Council Reconciliation Action Plan; and
- The identification of tourism opportunities, which will promote the rich history of the Toowoomba Region’s Aboriginal, and Torres Strait Islander communities.
