The Adelaide City Council invites engagement about Reconciliation Room Conversion of the Town Hall Exhibition Room into a Reconciliation Room Project Summary The Adelaide City Council is considering converting the current Exhibition Room in the Adelaide Town Hall into a room advocating Reconciliation. We are seeking to engage Adelaide s Aboriginal community and relevant organisations about their level of interest in a Reconciliation Room and its potential use, displays and design, as well as future partnerships. Included in this consultation pack: Project Information Feedback Form Website links to Adelaide City Council Reconciliation Vision Statement and Reconciliation Action Plan 2013/2014 Images of the Town Hall Exhibition Room For enquiries, please call Leata Clarke by phoning 8203 7821 or email l.clarke@adelaidecitycouncil.com Consultation closes 5.00pm Friday 20 September 2013
Project Information Purpose The development of a Reconciliation Room in the Adelaide Town Hall could be an opportunity to promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture to the wider public. Through inviting this engagement the Adelaide City Council will gain valuable knowledge of how to reflect interest on Reconciliation within such a space. Council would like to hear from the stakeholder community the level of support for a Reconciliation Room, ideas for how it could be used and interest in partnerships to develop this space. Background Adelaide City Council s Strategic Plan aligns in forming strong communities and welcoming public spaces that promote social interaction. Adelaide City Council s Reconciliation Action Plan for 2013/2014 calls for the development of a Business Case, including a community engagement plan, to explore the proposal to convert the Exhibition Room in the Town Hall into a Reconciliation Room. www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/community/reconciliation/initiatives/ This action links to The City of Adelaide Reconciliation Vision Statement to extend the process of Aboriginal Reconciliation, including Communication and Public Awareness, which sits at the heart of the Reconciliation Room purpose and goals. www.adelaidecitycouncil.com/community/reconciliation/visionstatement/ Benefits of the project The Reconciliation Room if realised be situated within the Adelaide Town Hall, an iconic heritage landmark of Adelaide within walking distance of the nationally recognised place of significance, Victoria Square/Tarntanyangga. The Reconciliation Room could provide a strong accessible collection of reconciliation focused content that reflects community interest and offers educational benefits. The possible establishment of a Reconciliation Room is an opportunity for the community to have a public space in which to create conversation around reconciliation. Project Impacts Establishment of a Reconciliation Room will involve the conversion of the current Town Hall Exhibition Room. This room is currently not accessible to the general public but is used for internal meetings. Through developing a Business Case in communication with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Adelaide a unique opportunity exists for the community to become involved as partners in this project. This early engagement will allow for a potential Reconciliation Room that will be developed, shaped and in the future used by the community itself. We hope to gain a broad spectrum of feedback that will ensure the stakeholder community has a voice in the creation of a space that meets their expectations. Timeline Adelaide City Council will be engaging with stakeholders that include Aboriginal organisations, committees and Elders, South Australian Government agencies, educational, art and cultural organisations on the various aspects of the Reconciliation Room. Stakeholder community engagement will be held over a three week period, commencing on 3 September 2013 and closing at 5.00pm 20 September 2013. Frequently Asked Questions What is the City of Adelaide Vision for Reconciliation? The City of Adelaide values its culturally diverse community and is committed to extending the process of Aboriginal reconciliation in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The six guiding principles are: Participation, Negotiation, Communication and Public Awareness, Service Provision, Cultural Identity and Heritage and Commemoration. Why have the room located in the Town Hall? The current Exhibition Room was chosen as the site for a Reconciliation Room because of its accessibility and prominence, situated just through the main entrance doors on King William Street. What are Council s reconciliation assets? Reconciliation Vision Statement and National Sorry Day Acknowledgment currently located in the Council Chamber
Kadlitpinna and Kuri Dance, replica Aboriginal paintings by George French Angas currently located in the Queen Adelaide Room Collections of reconciliation event photography e.g. NAIDOC Week Reconciliation commissioned artwork How do I provide my feedback? There are a number of ways in which you can provide feedback: Feedback Form Please complete the Feedback Form attached, which asks specific questions about the project and provides an opportunity for general comments regarding the development of a Reconciliation Room. Online Survey Council has made the feedback form below as a dedicated online survey that provides an opportunity for quick and efficient feedback. Visit for information about the project and online ways to provide your comments. Alternatively comments can be emailed to yoursay@adelaidecitycouncil.com What happens to my feedback? Stakeholder feedback will be used to inform a Business Case to determine options for and if a Reconciliation Room is feasible. This Business Case will include design options, potential partners for delivery and options for on-going maintenance and management. It is anticipated that the Business Case will be presented to Council s Reconciliation Committee meeting, 20 November 2013, for the Committee s consideration and possible recommendation to Council. Agendas, Reports and Attachments for ordinary meetings of Council Reconciliation Committee are available for viewing on the Adelaide City Council website by 5.00pm on the Friday evening prior to the Wednesday meeting. A summary of the Business Case will be made available online at and emailed/posted directly to individuals and organisations anticipating Council s endorsement on the 26 November 2013. Council would be seeking partnerships for content should the Reconciliation Room proceed. If your feedback has indicated you or your organisation would like to be involved we will seek further communication. How do I know my feedback has been received? All feedback forms will be acknowledged either by email or in writing so that you know your comments/feedback has been received. Contact Person For more information, please contact: Name: Leata Clarke Title: Reconciliation Officer Reconciliation Room Consultation Postal: GPO Box 2252, Adelaide SA 5001 Phone: 8203 7821 Email: l.clarke@adelaidecitycouncil.com Council s Reconciliation Committee meetings are held in the Colonel Light Room, Town Hall, Adelaide.
Feedback Form Feedback closes 5.00pm Friday 20 September 2013 This feedback form asks specific questions about the project and provides an opportunity for general comments regarding the project/proposal. Please provide the following details: Name Organisation Address E-Mail Reconciliation Room - please choose multiple responses to each question as you need Q1. Do you support the idea of establishing a Reconciliation Room in the Town Hall Exhibition Room? Yes No Q2. How do you think the room should be used? Exhibition space only Public Meeting room only Mixed use exhibition space and meeting room (e.g. exhibitions 10.00am 2.00pm and meeting room at other times) Open during Town Hall Events (e.g. Concerts, Ceremonies, Conferences) Open during business hours of Town Hall (8.30am 5.00pm) Workshop space (e.g. Artist/Curator/Historian residencies) A mixed use rotating program of exhibitions, residencies and events To support school curriculum (e.g. Aboriginal studies, excursions, civics) Featured in the tours of the Town Hall
Q3. What would you like to see on display in the room? Works of art (e.g. paintings, prints, posters, drawings, sculpture, textiles and installation) Historic material (e.g. photos, maps, books, transcripts, artefacts) Ceremonial material (e.g. bark paintings, shields, traditional dress) Educational material (e.g. projects/stories of reconciliation) Performances (e.g. storytelling, dance, song) Digital Media (e.g. images, film, sound recordings) Q4. What story about reconciliation do you believe the room should represent? National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Local Aboriginal peoples Opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, groups and organisations to showcase their work, projects and initiatives Key cultural significant anniversaries (e.g. National Reconciliation Week, National Sorry Day, NAIDOC Week, National Apology) Local reconciliation initiatives
Q5. How should the room be named? Reconciliation Room A Kaurna name An Aboriginal name Dual naming (e.g. Reconciliation Room / Kaurna interpretive name) Q6. Should all of Council s current and future reconciliation assets: Be moved into the Reconciliation Room Remain where they are currently located Have duplicates made for the Reconciliation Room Q7. Are there any important cultural protocols/restrictions that we should be made aware? Yes No
Q8. How would you like to be involved? Providing content for display Providing curatorial expertise Holding an event Volunteering Holding meetings Providing specialist advice Q9. Any other comments about the Reconciliation Room? Q10. Would you like to receive a summary of the findings? Yes No Provide contacts details if you haven t already: Thank you for taking the time as your feedback is valued.