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Community outreach recovery hubs

Council's Recovery Team are visiting communities across the Shire this June and July. These sessions will provide an opportunity for those affected by the January 2026 fires to speak directly with Recovery staff about available support, assistance, agency referrals and recovery-related questions.

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First Nations and reconciliation

Towong Shire Council acknowledges all the Traditional Custodians throughout the Shire, we recognise their continued care of lands and waters, their living knowledges and wisdom.

We pay our respect to Elders past and present, we honour their stories, leadership and strength. We understand that their voice holds the knowledges that has carried them for thousands of years, we are committed to listening and working together to help build a stronger and more inclusive society.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

Towong Shire Council is dedicated to true reconciliation with our First Nations people. We understand the importance of recognising our past whilst working towards what is needed to bring a united future.

As part of this journey, we have launched our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan 2025. This process began back in 2022 with our first draft being present to Reconciliation Australia. This strategic document helps us outline ways in which we can bring tangible change and healing both internally and externally throughout the Shire.

Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

Victorian and Aboriginal Local Government Strategy 2021–2026

The Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy is an important resource for Victorian councils. It serves as a practical guide for councils across Victoria and helps to embed the voices and priorities of Aboriginal communities at a local government level. It is centred on seven strategic pillars:

  • Culture, respect and trust
  • Awareness and engagement
  • Accountability and direction
  • Governance and participation
  • Economic participation
  • Health and wellbeing
  • Resourcing and funding Victorian Aboriginal and Local Government Strategy

First Nations Protocols

To assist with the implementation of the RAP and provide guidance to the broader community and connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the right way, Towong Shire has developed a First Nations Protocols guide.

The guide provides details on when and how Acknowledgement of Country, Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony’s are performed, the Acknowledgement of Country Statements that Towong Shire has adopted and how they are to be used, information on traditional owners and engaging traditional owners, local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contacts, effective communication and significant First Nations annual dates.

First Nations Protocols

Flag Flying Policy

Council's Flag Flying Policy was adopted at at the 24 September 2025 Council Meeting. The Policy sets out Towong Shire Council’s requirements for the display of flags at Council offices, ensuring compliance with Australian Government flag protocols.

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History

When the new Tallangatta township was formed in 1954 it was decided to give all streets (bar Queen Elizabeth Drive) an Aboriginal name. This brings a unique difference to the area and we believe it is the only significant town where this is the case, demonstrating foresight from town planner now seven decades ago. Tallangatta means "Place of many trees (Currajong)".

Additional information on the relocation of the town and street naming can be found in the following excellent publication: The Century Book, Old and New Tallangatta that states “They were kin of neighbouring group the Ginning-Matong (sometimes Jillamatong) who “occupied” the Tallangatta Valley, Bullioh and Gravenville area. It is mostly from the languages of these two tribal groups that words were borrowed for street names”.

New Tallangatta: Aboriginal Street Names

  • Akuna Ave: Flowing Water
  • Barree St: Mountain
  • Jillico Ave: Mountainous
  • Kurewa St: Fish
  • Matonga St: Strong
  • Nirimba St: Pelican
  • Tooma St: Gum Tree (also black duck)
  • Wagara Rd: Black Crow
  • Weramu St: Eagle
  • Womaatong St: Big Waterhole
  • Wonga Grove: Black Cormorant
  • Banool Rd: Hill
  • Coorilla St: South
  • Karrika St: Path
  • Mullawar St: Wood duck
  • Noorooma St: Rain
  • Towong St: (old town)
  • Warra St: Water
  • Willong St: Billabong
  • Wondah St: Trees
  • Yamba St: Camp
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