FAQs
What do we know about our indigenous community?
As identified in the 2016 Census, there are 566 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples recorded in Maroondah. This is a notable increase from 412 in 2011. The majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Maroondah are Aboriginal (94.2%). This is in line with results across Victoria (93.3%). A much smaller proportion identify as Torres Strait Islander (5.7%) or both (1.4%).
Looking across age groups, most Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in Maroondah are under 50, with over a third (36.0%) being 17 years or younger. However, this proportion is smaller than in Victoria (46.0%). Almost half (44.4%) are between the ages of 18-49 (43.5% in Victoria). Less than one in five (19.6%) are over 50 (10.6% in Victoria).
Almost one in four (23.4%) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Maroondah have either an Advanced diploma or diploma or Bachelor degree level or higher. This is higher than the proportion in Victoria (16.8%). 41.4% of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples living in Maroondah have finished Year 12 or equivalent. This is also higher than in Victoria (34.2%).
The majority (92.4%) of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples in Maroondah are employed. This is higher than the proportion in Victoria (86.0%). Reflecting this, the unemployment rate amongst Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples is lower in Maroondah (7.6%), compared to Victoria (14.0%).
What community consultation has been undertaken?
Council has undertaken inclusive, accessible, wide reaching and meaningful engagement and consultation with the whole of community and key stakeholders on the identification of actions that Council can undertake towards reconciliation in Maroondah.
The consultation program included Café Consult at Maroondah Festival, activity based sessions at Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place and a stakeholder forum at the Karralyka Centre.
Throughout the collation and analysis of the consultation program findings, a number of re-occurring themes have emerged that have been incorporated into the Plan.
In response, the Draft Plan includes four areas of focus: Relationships; Respect; Opportunities and Reporting.
Actions will be delivered across Council from a broad range of service areas.