Council joins Welcoming Cities network

Council is committed to ensuring that our policies, programs and services are inclusive for all.

We want our residents to feel a sense of belonging so that they can actively participate in and contribute to community life.

Council has joined the Welcoming Cities Network, alongside 89 local councils and governments across Australia and is now working towards accreditation.

Aligning with Welcoming Cities’ vision, membership will enable Council to further embrace diversity, foster social cohesion and enhance our region’s multicultural focus.

There are certain criteria which need to be met to achieve accreditation and Council already has initiatives in place that will contribute to accreditation.

These include:

• Acknowledgment to Country and Welcome to Country practices at Council and Council sponsored events,
• Community Development Strategy 2021-26,
• Community Engagement Policy,
• Conversations (Engagement platform),
• Neighbourhood Centre "Neighbour Day" events,
• Operational Plan 2019-20,
• Participation in and support of multicultural events,
• Reconciliation Action Plan deliverables,
• Saiki Sister City Initiative,
• Welcome to the Gladstone Region morning teas,
• Welcoming Week (annual celebration in September).

Registering as a Welcoming City will enable Council to tap into shared learning and resources, benchmark cultural diversity and inclusion policies, programs and initiatives, identify future improvements required and assess progress over time.

Welcoming Cities

Welcoming Week

Each September, Gladstone Regional Council proudly celebrates Welcoming Week. This is an opportunity for organisations and communities to bring together neighbours of all backgrounds to build strong connections and affirm the importance of building welcoming and inclusive communities- for our shared future.

Take a look at our past and upcoming Welcoming Week events and initiatives here.

A Taste of the Gladstone Region cookbook

The cookbook is a collaborative effort between Gladstone Regional Council and Gladstone Region Neighbourhood Centre, proudly presented as part of Welcoming Week celebrations. This heartwarming collection of recipes showcases the diverse flavours of our community, brought to you by the generous contributions of local residents. Let’s celebrate our shared heritage and build stronger connections, one delicious dish at a time.

Download the cookbook