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Tarwangin - Talking To Me - 23 November 2007
Welcome to Tarwangin, a regular newsletter produced by the Department of Indigenous Affairs to provide the latest news and information on issues associated with Indigenous communities.
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Opportunities for Indigenous Artists at the Festival of Pacific Arts
The Australia Council, in partnership with State and Territory Arts Agencies, is inviting expressions of interest from Indigenous artists and groups to be part of the Australian delegation attending the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts to be held in American Samoa from 20 July to 2 August 2008. Expressions of interest are sought from established Indigenous artists and groups who have experience in the areas of traditional and contemporary dance, music, theatre, literature, visual arts, crafts and new media. Consideration will also be given to individuals and groups who work with traditional healing and culinary arts. Closing date for applications is 19 December 2007. For more information and to download an application visit the website here.
Western Australian Indicator Framework Systems (WAIFS) Workshop
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will be holding a workshop on 4 December 2007 for State data-custodial agencies (i.e. agencies holding administrative date that is collected as a by product of their core business) that will be used to update indicator frameworks of State Government. ABS will brief data-custodial agencies on the upcoming work program that ABS has been contracted to undertake on behalf of the WA State Government. Under the funding of a number of State agencies, the ABS has a role to update indicators from various agencies and compile it into collaborative reporting frameworks, which have included the Overcoming Indigenous Disadvantage Key Indicators Framework. For more information about the workshop, contact Katrina Hopkins via email or on 9235 8000.
Aboriginal Health and Health Workforce Sectors Unite to Tackle Aboriginal Health
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization (NACCHO) and Rural Health Workforce Australia have joined forces to improve Aboriginal health outcomes by addressing one of the key factors contributing to their poorer health status - health workforce shortages. The level of chronic diseases such as diabetes, renal disease, heart disease, strokes and hypertension are much higher within the Indigenous population and contribute to a 17 year life expectancy gap. Chair of NACCHO, Mr Henry Councillor, commented that many of these premature deaths could be prevented through timely access to comprehensive primary health care services, including GPs. Mr Jim Birch, Chair of Rural Health Workforce Australia added that increasing the number of primary health care services and providers for Indigenous people is an important target in order to make any long term impact on the health status of Indigenous people. "We must support health professionals to live and work in communities [to] make a difference to close the health inequality gap including the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non Indigenous people," said Mr Birch. For more information visit the NACCHO website here.
WA Schools Take out the 2007 PALS Reconciliation Awards
The 2007 PALS (Partnership, Acceptance, Learning and Sharing) Schools Reconciliation Awards was officially presented by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Michelle Roberts MLA, Mr Carl Binning (Vice Presidents of Sustainability from BHP Billiton Iron Ore) and Mr Troy Cook (PALS Youth Ambassador) on Saturday, 17 November 2007, at the Wardarnji Festival. The Department of Indigenous Affairs and BHP Billiton Iron Ore would like to congratulate all 60 schools who were involved in a PALS project in 2007. Fourteen schools received awards last Saturday for their effort and commitment to advancing reconciliation through their PALS projects, with St Mary's College Broome winning the PALS Youth Award and Baldivis Primary School taking out the major BHP Billiton Iron Ore Overall Award. Congratulations again to all participating and winning schools. For the full list of PALS award winners and previews of their projects, please visit the PALS website here.
Peel, South West and Great Southern Stolen Wages Consultation
Having conducted successful visits and consultations through the Pilbara, Kimberley, Murchison/Gascoyne and Goldfields regions of WA recently, public consultations on Stolen Wages in the Peel, South West and Great Southern areas have been scheduled to commence on Monday, 26 November 2007. Consultations will be held in Mandurah, Collie, Bunbury, Busselton, Manjimup, Mount Barker, Albany, Katanning and Gnowangerup and will conclude in Brookton on 30 November 2007. The extensive statewide consultation on Stolen Wages is the first phase of the project to investigate the scope and extent of the matter in Western Australia. The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) is managing the consultation and investigation of Stolen Wages. For more information and exact times and dates for the Peel, South West and Great Southern consultations please call 1800 221 883 or visit DIA's website here.
Expressions of Interest for the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee
The Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee (ACMC), established under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972, advises the Minister for Indigenous Affairs in matters relating to Aboriginal Heritage. The Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) would like to hear from people from different parts of the Western Australia with knowledge and experience of Aboriginal Heritage matters, including specialist expertise who can make a contribution to the recognition and protection of the State's Aboriginal Heritage. Areas of specialist expertise can include archaeology, anthropology and ethnography. The Minister appoints members who can contribute meaningfully to the monthly meetings of the ACMC. Expressions of Interest are welcomed and must be received before Friday, 21 December 2007. For more information please contact ACMC Executive Officer, Ms Christine Lewis, on 1300 651 077 or 9235 8000.
The 2007 Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award
Nominations are now open for the 2007 Sir Ronald Wilson Leadership Award, which recognises an outstanding Western Australian who has shown exceptional leadership in the fields of social justice, human rights, equality and/or anti-racism. The awards honours the life work of the late Sir Ronald Wilson who was one of WA's most distinguished public servants, a respected lawyer, judge, social activist and a steadfast advocate for the disadvantaged. Sir Wilson was also committed to advancing the cause of marginalised community groups, in particular Indigenous people. For guidelines and nomination forms for the award, please visit the Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) Website here or by contacting OMI on 9222 8800. Nominations close Thursday 31 January 2008.
Cadetships Reward Keen Students
Companies including Alcoa, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Sinclair Knight Mertz and Woodside are offering cadetships to Indigenous students studying in WA Universities and training organisations. The National Indigenous Cadetship Program (NICP) links students with a company that provides them support and work experience during their degree. These companies also offer employment once the student has completed their studies. Students participating in the NICP receive $300 per week to assist with their living expenses, as well as $1000 per year to cover the costs of textbooks and equipment required for their study. The NICP started in the late 1980s with cadetships in the Australian Public Service. To find out more visit the website here.
Nickel Company Signs Deal with Indigenous Land Owners
After four years of talks and negotiations, Sally Mallay, a Kimberley nickel company has signed a deal with the traditional owners of its mine site near Warmun. Senior staff from Sally Mallay joined about fifty of the local Kija people at a signing ceremony earlier in November. Sally Mallay's managing director, Peter Harold, says the agreement includes a financial compensation package, as well as funds for health and education programs. Mr Harold says there is also commitment to increase the Indigenous workforce on the project, which will run at least another four years and possibly up to fifteen years. "By that time, the relationship will have been even stronger and you'll see new generations come through and they'll be getting some benefit from this project," he said. The nickel mine opened in May 2005 and the company now exports nickel to China out of Wyndham Port.
Taking Action To Advance Reconciliation
Eight organisations have committed to long term, measurable action plans to advance reconciliation, beginning a national program across all sectors of the Australian community. The organisation include Yanteen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation, the ANZ Bank, BHP Billiton, Centrelink, Canberra Investment Corporation, South Australian Department of Administrative and Information Services, Oxfam Australia and Melbourne City Council. They are a part of a National Program of Action, administered by Reconciliation Australia, with the overarching goal of closing the 17 year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children in Australia. "These first action plans demonstrate the maturing of the reconciliation process over the last ten years," said Reconciliation Australia director Mick Dodson. "Other countries have made significant inroads in closing the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous citizens and we will too when all sectors are prepared to take consistent, long term, properly resourced action like the organisations involved now," continued Professor Dodson. For more information and to have a look at the action plan summaries of the above mentioned organisations, visit the Reconciliation Australia website here.
Indigenous Traineeships in Horticulture
The City of Swan is inviting applications from Indigenous people to fill ten Indigenous Traineeship positions to complete Certificates II and III in Horticulture. Features and opportunities of this on-the-job training include gaining a Nationally Recognised Qualification in Horticulture, Training in and obtaining a First Aid Certificate, obtaining vehicle and machinery licenses and 12 months employment as a Horticulturalist trainee with the City of Swan. An information session for prospective applicants will be held on Monday 3 December 2007 from 10.30am - 12.30pm at Woodbridge Park (First Avenue, Woodbridge). To register for the information session or to obtain an application form, contact Jobs Australia on 9274 9900. Applications close 4pm, Thursday 20 December 2007.
Position available with Bush Heritage Australia
A position is available for an Indigenous Partnership Officer with the Bush Heritage Australia and North Australia Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) to work across North Australia. This position is part of Bush Heritage's and NAILSMA's increasing commitment to working with Indigenous people in Caring for Country and will be based at NAILSMA's office in Darwin. The suitable applicant need to have knowledge and understanding of Indigenous societies and cultures and have 'on-ground' experience working with Indigenous peoples in practical Caring for Country activities. This position will also facilitate partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and organisations for the purposes of nature conservation. For more information and to download an application package visit the website here or contact Sarah Eccles on 03 8610 9122.
Feedback for the Tarwangin Newsletter
The Public Affairs team at the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA) would like to hear any feedback from all our Tarwangin readers and subscribers. If you would be able to spend a few minutes sending through your opinions and thoughts on DIA's weekly newsletter, it would be very much appreciated. Your feedback is very important to DIA in order for us to improve and enhance the Tarwangin newsletter. Please email Public Affairs for any comment you would like to make. Thank You.
Positions Vacant
There are a few positions currently available at the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA). If you are interested in applying please view the DIA website here.
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