Would you like to be part of the exciting and important work of the ACT Heritage Council? Do you want to be part of positive voice for Aboriginal cultural heritage?
Interested members of the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait community are invited to apply for the two Aboriginal Community Representatives positions on the Council.
Appointments are expected to be made in early 2025 for between one to three years, with the possibility of extension or reappointment. The positions are remunerated.
Background
The Council is an independent body established under the Heritage Act 2004. The Council’s role is to assess nominations and formally register places and objects on the ACT Heritage Register. It also makes decisions about the conservation of heritage places and plays a key role providing advice on planning and development matters.
The Council has specific responsibility for the conservation of Aboriginal places and objects associated with Aboriginal people because of their culture and traditions.
A key Council function is to consult with representatives from Aboriginal groups on heritage matters that impact their cultural heritage. There are four Representative Aboriginal Organisations (RAOs) declared under the Act who have special connection to country and must be consulted.
A recent review of our heritage arrangements recommended strengthening Aboriginal determination of Aboriginal cultural heritage matters. Work is underway to develop governance, capability and capacity to support this. An Aboriginal cultural data management protocol is also being developed.
As a member of the Council, you will get to contribute to these important reforms.
There is more information about the role of the Council including polices, processes, procedures and legislation on the ACT Government Environment website.
The Roles
The community representatives represent the interests of the Aboriginal community in the ACT. They provide a conduit and a voice for the community on heritage issues that impact them by ensuring consideration is given to Aboriginal cultural issues in decision making. They also play an important role in educating and informing the Council on the importance of cultural heritage to Aboriginal identity and community, and its intrinsic worth, cultural benefits and the wellbeing of current and future generations of Australians (Dhawura Ngilan: A vision for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage in Australia, 2020).
The role of the community representatives is to bring Aboriginal perspectives, knowledge and expertise to the Council’s deliberations. They are not expected to be a voice for Traditional Owners and hence are not expected to ‘speak for Country’.
ACT Heritage Council
Appointment
Membership of the Council is a statutory appointment for an initial term of up to three years with the possibility of reappointment with a maximum total appointment term of six years in accordance with the ACT Governance Principles: Appointments, Boards and Committees, April 2021.
Structure
Following recent amendments to the Heritage Act, the number of Aboriginal community representatives increased from one to two. Both roles will be filled through this EOI process.
The Council comprises 12 members:
- Four public representatives:
- two Aboriginal community representatives
- a community representative
- a representative from the property ownership, management and development sector.
- Six members with expertise in one or more of the following disciplines:
- Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal history, Archaeology, Architecture, Engineering, History, Landscape Architecture, Nature Conservation, Object Conservation, Town Planning and Urban Design
- There are two ex officio members: the Chief Planner and the Conservator of Flora and Fauna.
Diversity
The ACT Government is committed to having 50% representation of women on its boards and committees, and to increasing the diversity of board membership.
People from diverse backgrounds including women, people with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse people and people who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer (LGBTQIA+) are encouraged to apply.
Eligibility
Ideally you will have had representation experience and be an active member of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ACT. This may be in any capacity, not necessarily in heritage. You do need an understanding of and connection with the ACT Aboriginal and Torres Strait community, and the ability to engage with RAOs and other stakeholders.
You do not have to be from a Traditional Owner group, because you will not be asked to speak for country.
The role involves participation in Council meetings and activities such as site visits, and as the representative you’d be a member of the Aboriginal Taskforce that advises the Council on key decisions relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage matters.
This Opportunity
As a new member of the Council, you will be supported by the Council members and the Aboriginal Engagement officer and staff within ACT Heritage. There will be a specifically designed induction program.
If you are an aspiring or emerging Aboriginal leader, you are encouraged to apply as the outcome of this expression of interest may also be used to identify candidates for further capability and capacity building opportunities.
Remuneration
The Council usually meets 6 – 7 times a year between February and November. The Aboriginal Taskforce also meets 6 – 7 times over the same period and can consider matters out of session. Members are entitled to sitting fees to attend meetings and site visits, and to consider other matters.
The ACT Remuneration Tribunal determines the payments to be made to Council members as part-time public office holders. The current rate for a Council member is $670 per day. Further information s available in the part-time public office determination at Home – ACT Remuneration Tribunal.
How to apply
This position is advertised on the ACT Diversity Register and the applications should be made via the ACT Diversity Register site. Please click the APPLY button.
Your application should include:
- A completed application form (available on the ACT Diversity Register)
- Your current curriculum vitae, and
- A brief statement of no more than two pages outlining how you meet the criteria and your suitability for appointment. Or if you be unable to prepare a written statement, a verbal demonstration via telephone can be accommodated upon request.
Selection Criteria
- Demonstrated experience as an Aboriginal community representation within the ACT or surrounding region. This can be in any capacity, not necessarily in heritage.
- Sound knowledge of, and experience in, Aboriginal cultural heritage and land management.
- The ability to build productive working relationships with Representative Aboriginal Organisations, Traditional Custodians, staff and Government agencies including applying the principles of respect, equity and diversity.
Further information
For more information, please contact Carly Freeman, Manager Aboriginal Engagement, ACT Heritage at heritage@act.gov.au or 02 6207 9601.
