Representatives from Tamworth Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (TACCO) and Tamworth Regional Council have today come together, for an historic ceremony celebrating the Mara Ngali Partnership Agreement.
Mara Ngali, which means our two hands in Gomeroi language, will be the first time in Australian history that a local council has signed a formal partnership with an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation to work together on Closing the Gap. The agreement relies on the ongoing commitments of both parties to work together to deliver Closing the Gap initiatives on a local level.
Closing the Gap is a national commitment to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in health, education, employment, economic participation, incarceration, housing, land rights and language.
The new agreement follows the formal establishment of TACCO in July 2024, a coalition formed to provide a strong, united voice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the Tamworth LGA. TACCO’s goal is to strengthen collaboration and partnership to achieve better social, economic and cultural outcomes.
The ceremony at Tamworth Regional Botanic Gardens began with an Acknowledgement to Country and a traditional Smoking undertaken by Brad Flanders on behalf of Uncle Neville Sampson. Dancers from Birrelee MACS, Hillvue Public School and Peel High School then took centre stage before TACCO and Council representatives each signed a commemorative document which will serve as an important reminder of each organisation’s commitment to working together to Close the Gap.
Addressing the gathering of local and state representatives, community members and staff of each organisation, Tamworth Regional Councillor and proud Gomeroi man, Marc Sutherland, told those in attendance that it had been a journey of about four years to get to this point, with many other local governments now looking at Tamworth Regional Council as leaders in this space.
“As no other Council has moved into this, we’re setting the path moving forward and I believe that this approach of working in partnership with our local Aboriginal community is the approach that all local governments will take moving forward and it’s such a proud moment to be a part of,” he said.
The partnership will be an opportunity to take the 17 national Closing the Gaps Strategy targets and build them into a local reality with the Aboriginal community and for the Aboriginal community.
TACCO Board Member and Chairperson of Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Services (TAMS-AC), Cathy Trindall, told those in attendance that having this formal agreement acknowledges that to close the gap, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people must determine, drive and own the desired outcomes, alongside all governments, in particular here locally.
“This new way of working requires governments to build on the strong foundation of the members of TACCO, and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, through our deep connection to family, community and culture.”
“By working together to transform Government to do things differently and not ‘business as usual’,” she said.
Tamworth Region Mayor, Russell Webb, echoed these sentiments by discussing what’s next for the partnership.
“Council will now sit down with TACCO to work through submissions from their recent community engagement as part of the Community Development Plan. We will then work in partnership to create a local level Closing the Gap Implementation Plan, which will include a list of actions which will then go through the process to be adopted into Council’s Framework going forward,” he said.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris, congratulated the new partnership.
“This is the first time that a local council has signed a formal agreement with a local Aboriginal community-controlled organisation to work together on Closing the Gap. It is a model for how local communities can bring the National Agreement on Closing the Gap into effect at a local level, where it can have a huge impact on the ground.”
“Closing the Gap initiatives are most effective when they are designed, led and implemented by Aboriginal communities. Aboriginal people know what works best for their communities to Close the Gap and the success of the TACCO partnership demonstrates this,” said Minister Harris.
“The NSW Government is proud to support the work of TACCO as the first Closing the Gap Place Based Partnership in NSW. The partnership provides a framework for self-determination and shared decision making for Aboriginal communities and organisations in Tamworth.
“It is wonderful to see the strengthening of this partnership with the signing of the agreement between TACCO and Tamworth Regional Council.”
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