Georges River Council is calling for Expressions of Interest from Indigenous community members to join its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.
The committee plays a key role in strengthening relationships between Council and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, providing culturally informed advice on policies, plans and projects, and ensuring community voices are included in decision-making.
Yuin woman and current committee member Danielle Caldwell said the Advisory Committee has grown steadily since it was formally established three years ago.
"I've lived in the Georges River area for almost 20 years and while the committee existed in some form before, it's only in the past few years that it's become more structured and consistent," she said.
"That's thanks to people within Council who have really driven the process with stability and genuine intention."
Ms Caldwell said the Council had made visible efforts to learn and improve cultural practices within its operations.
"There's been a lot of learning on Council's end about what's culturally appropriate and how to move forward in a respectful way," she said.
"It's still early days, but you can see the growth every year and even every meeting."
She said having Aboriginal voices involved in this process was essential for shaping the future direction of the region.
"Council has advisory groups for youth and other sectors, so it's really important that our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community also has that space," she said.
"It gives mob the chance to raise issues and make sure our perspectives are part of the conversation."
While Ms Caldwell said Council staff supporting the committee were "inclusive and respectful", she noted the ongoing challenge of limited Aboriginal representation within Council itself.
"There aren't many Aboriginal staff working in Council, so most of the facilitation still needs to be done by non-Indigenous employees," she said.
"But they've done their best to ensure that decisions are still being made by mob wherever possible."
Ms Caldwell described the local Aboriginal landscape as "complex" and said the Georges River area remains one of the most difficult places to build strong, unified community connections.
"This is basically Ground Zero... there are very few Traditional Custodians here and many people have moved from other areas," she said.
"It makes it hard to build a sense of community because there's no major Aboriginal organisation or central place to connect."
She believes establishing a central meeting space could make a lasting difference.
"If there was a place where people could come together and access multiple services, that would change everything," she said.
"It would give people a starting point - somewhere to belong, connect and grow from."
Ms Caldwell said the Advisory Committee's members continue to volunteer their time but remain motivated by a shared goal of improving opportunities for the next generation.
"It's not a paid project, so everyone is doing this because they care," she said.
"We're relying on passionate people who want to see change and that's where all progress begins."
Expressions of Interest are open to Indigenous people who live, work or meet in the Georges River area and are passionate.
