ATSI

Parramatta City Council (PCC) acknowledges the Traditional owners and custodians of this land, the Darug people.

The Aboriginal Flag was designed by Harold Thomas from the Northern Territory with three colours: Black - representing the people, Yellow - the sun, Red - the earth. PCC flys the Aboriginal Flag outside the Town Hall daily, in recognition of the Traditional owners.

ATSI Advisory Committee

PCC’s Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee (ATSI) was established in 1995. Through monthly meetings the ATSI Committee makes recommendations on issues effecting the local ATSI community and cultural and customary business of the LGA.

ATSI community

Statistical information on Parramatta’s Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities, by suburb, is available by entering ‘indigenous’ in the ethnicity section of the Community Atlas

ATSI events

NAIDOC

In conjunction with the ATSI Advisory Committee, PCC coordinates the development of Burramatta NAIDOC. The Burramattugal people of the Darug Nation where the original people from the Parramatta area. Through the colonisation process the name changed to Parramatta. The name Burramatta has been reclaimed for the event as a respectful recognition of the traditional people of the area. Burramatta NAIDOC is held in the beginning of July each year.

Sorry Day

PCC commemorates Sorry Day on 26 May each year as part of the Nation wide Sorry Day acknowledgements. This event is of particular significance to the area as the Stolen Generation began outside the Parramatta Town Hall in 1810 through the Assimilation Policy (1810-1825). Governor Lachlan Macquarie believed that it would be in the best interests of the nation to ‘civilise’ the native population. In doing so the Native Institute was established.

Aboriginal heritage

PCC is strongly committed to ensuring the conservation and longevity of Aboriginal heritage sites in the area. Work on the assessment of development applications and the responsibilities of local government to meet legislative requirements are ongoing. A database of Aboriginal sites in the LGA has been established, similar to the National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Aboriginal Sites Register for known sites. There are many know Aboriginal heritage sites in the LGA that require constant protection.

A Cultural Heritage Study was undertaken in 2003, and a presentation on the study is available on the right of this page.

Art and symbols

PCC uses Aboriginal art work and symbols within its corporate identity to promote the significance of Parramatta’s Aboriginal history. This Includes the Eel, which was designed by Elder and local Aboriginal artist Mr Danny Eastwood. The Aboriginal themed Riverside Walkway was designed and installed by Jamie Eastwood.

The new playground for children with disabilities at Lake Parramatta includes Aboriginal art and was designed and installed by local Darug artist Chris Tobin.

PCC’s new Artist Studios will be looking to involve ATSI Artists - please contact the Studio’s Coordinator at mdagostino@parracity.nsw.gov.au for more information.

ATSI Community Services

PCC’s Community Capacity Building team is developing a database of local community services, aimed at increasing PCC’s understanding of what and where they are, what services are offered and how PCC can work with the community sector to increase sustainability.  

At present include current ATSI services available in the area include:

Wargon & Burra
1 Diamond Ave, Granville
Ph: 9897 7363

Murangbai Aboriginal After Care Service
Suite 2, Level 2/ 46 Macquarie St, Parramatta
Ph: 9633 9211 or 1800 422 555

NSW State Land Council
Argyle St, Parramatta
Ph: 8836 6000

Indigenous Disability Advocacy Service
Suite 4, 2/6 Kendall St, Harris Park 2150
Ph: 9687 7688

GILGAI
Aboriginal Home Care
Ph: 9625 2852

Jobfind Centre, Aboriginal Mentor Program
20 Macquarie St, Parramatta
Ph: 96871033

Link Up NSW
5 Wallis St, Lawson 2783
Ph: 1800 624 332

Catchment Management Authority, Sydney Metropolitan
10 Valentine St, Parramatta
Ph: 9895 7007

NSW Police Headquarters, Aboriginal Coordination Unit
1 Charles St, Parramatta
Ph: 8835 9130