Aboriginal community development

Clarence Valley Council aims to protect the interests and further the aspirations of Indigenous residents of the area.

The Traditional Custodians of the Clarence Valley area are the Bundjalung, Gumbaynggirr and Yaegl nations.

Six Aboriginal communities are represented within the local government area at Baryulgil, Malabugilmah, Grafton, South Grafton, Maclean and Yamba

The 2011 Census reported 2,846 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Clarence Valley (Local Government Areas). Of these, 1,406 (or 49.4%) were male and 1,440 (50.6%) were female; the median age was 20 years.

The aim of the Community Development Officer is to protect the interests and further the aspirations of Aboriginal people of the Clarence Valley and is committed to assisting Aboriginal community groups and individuals with a range of issues including; grant application assistance, advocating for improvements to Government departments on behalf of Clarence Valley Aboriginal communities, partnering in projects etc. In addition to this the Clarence Valley Council aims to:

  • Recognise its rich Aboriginal heritage and culture in its immediate and long-term activities
  • Support and resource Clarence Valley Aboriginal Advisory Committee (CVAAC) and Aboriginal Interagency to promote better understanding and cooperative service delivery
  • Recognise & support important dates of celebrations to the ATSI people; NAIDOC, Reconciliation & Anniversary of National Apology and promote Aboriginal participation in other community celebrations
  • Continue to promote Aboriginal employment and training opportunities within Council and the local area
  • Participate in Aboriginal Officer networks at the local, regional and state level to ensure our community benefits from the learning's of other Aboriginal communities

For more information, contact Dan Griffin, Community Services Coordinator by email dan.griffin@clarence.nsw.gov.au or phone (02) 6642 0951.

Other Websites