Linda Goldsmith, Bernadette Hosking, Greg Marino, Charles Meredith and Lisa Paterson are the RMYS volunteers currently on the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Working Party. Where to start with the work? Indigenous recognition, charity support, review of RMYS policy, consideration of gender pronouns, tours of the Pride Centre, and the list goes on.
On the recommendation of this Working Party, RMYS now incorporates an acknowledgment of Country in its written materials and at the commencement of meetings.
The City of Port Phillip (COPP) in which the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron has been located since 1876 has a strong and proud Aboriginal history, comprising of complex ownership and land stewardship systems stretching back many thousands of years. COPP has adopted a Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Australians and contributed to plans, strategies and publications that explore employment opportunities, build awareness and understanding, and enhance cultural and economic development for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for Traditional Owners and the continuing connection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Country.
The distinction between ‘country’ and ‘Country’
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, the meaning of Country is more than just ownership or connection to land, as Professor Mick Dodson explains:
When we talk about traditional ‘Country’…we mean something beyond the dictionary definition of the word. …we might mean homeland, or tribal or clan area and we might mean more than just a place on the map. For us, Country is a word for all the values, places, resources, stories and cultural obligations associated with that area and its features. It describes the entirety of our ancestral domains. While they may all no longer necessarily be the title-holders to land, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are still connected to the Country of their ancestors and most consider themselves the custodians or caretakers of their land
An Acknowledgement of Country can be offered by any person and is given at the beginning of a meeting, speech or event.
RMYS Practice
Although there is no specific wording required for an Acknowledgement of Country, experience indicates that it is it’s important to do some research on the Country you are acknowledging and it’s helpful to have a standard text to provide to members that they can use.
The RMYS recommended wording is;
Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron respectfully acknowledges the Yaluk-ut Weelam Clan of the Boon Wurrung.
We pay our respect to their Elders, past and present.
We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land and water on which we sail.
When Should We Acknowledge Country?
Most organisations now make an Acknowledgement of Country at the beginning of all major meetings and events. In the RMYS context, we suggest that this would include formal, “high level” meetings (GC, AGM/EGM, Members Meetings), along with major events (eg Opening Day, Presentation Night, new members meetings, etc).
Many organisations would make the acknowledgement at the beginning of all formal meetings (eg sub-committees such as Sailing Cttee, Finance, etc), but our suggestion is we encourage them to do so but leave it to the discretion of the sub-committee chair for the moment.
An Acknowledgement of Country would not normally be expected at a purely social event, although the chair/MC would be welcome to do so. However, if there was a guest speaker it may well be appropriate to give the Acknowledgement (as does RBYC for instance).
Next tasks for the DEI Working Group;
Consider the “look” of RMYS marketing and public-facing material. Do we reflect the diversity of our community? Draft a proposed Charities Policy for consideration of the RMYS Committee.
Linda Goldsmith (with thanks to Charles Meredith for content)
August 2022
