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Tarwangin - Talking To Me - 30 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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Stolen Wages Consultations in the Goldfields
Stolen Wages consultations were recently held in the Towns of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Laverton, Leonora, Norseman and Esperance. All towns had a good turn out, with many people telling their stories to the team from head office. There were many tears as individuals expressed hardships that they and their families endured from the early 1930s to the late 1960s. Many family members enquired as to whether they could speak for family members who had passed and would they be able to tell their stories. It was an emotional time for not only the individuals but team members were also affected by out-pouring of emotions. The Stolen Wages Project Team will undertake consultations in the Ngannyatjarra Lands, Coonana and Tjuntjuntjarra in early March 2008. The team will be conducting consultations in the West Kimberley communities starting Monday 3 December 2007. For more information on Stolen Wages and details of the consultations, please visit the website here.
WA's Australian of The Year 2008 is Indigenous Arts Leader Mark Bin Bakar
Mark Bin Bakar, better known as his alter ego Mary G has been named WA's Australian of the Year for 2008 and was presented with an award at a ceremony at Government House on 24 November 2007 by the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency Dr Ken Michael AC. Mark Bin Bakar is an Indigenous arts leader and has dedicated much of his adult life to increasing cultural understanding and working tirelessly to present an insight into Indigenous culture. Mark has created many opportunities for Indigenous musicians, including establishing Abmusic 20 years ago. As his alter ego, Mary G, the "Queen of the Kimberley," Mark has become a national cult figure while also raising awareness of social issues facing Indigenous people. As well as his nationally broadcast radio show, Mark travels extensively throughout remote areas talking to people about alcohol and drug abuse, health care, emotional wellbeing, respect for Elders, domestic violence, and instilling a sense of pride back into the wider community. In 2007, he was recognized as National NAIDOC person of the year. All Western Australia award recipients now become national finalists in the Australia of the Year Awards to be announced in Canberra on 25 January 2008. For more information on Mark Bin Bakar, visit the website here.
Aboriginal Health Worker Geraldine Hogarth a finalist for 2007 Health Awards
Aboriginal health worker, Geraldine Hogarth's dedication and commitment to reducing ear disease for the children of Leonara has been recognized through her nomination as a finalist for the inaugural 2007 National Excellence Awards in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. The awards, conducted by the Department of Health and Ageing, provide a great opportunity to showcase and celebrate the achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector in bridging the gulf between the health status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians. An Aboriginal health worker since 1983, Geraldine Hogarth has focused her work on children suffering from chronic suppurative otitis media, or "runny ears." Geraldine's program of cleaning ears and good hygiene practices has resulted in a 75 per cent reduction in trachoma. Geraldine also promotes women's health and involved in immunisation programs, diabetes management and child health programs across the northern Goldfields. She also works with the community and police to resolve youth issues and runs protective behaviour workshops at Leonara School. Geraldine said she was "very honoured" to be a finalist in the awards and is keen to acknowledge the contribution of parents, children and community nurses with whom she has worked over the years - "all 53 of them who left their imprints in my heart and in my mind," commented Geraldine. For more information about the awards visit the website here.
State Government Supports Partnership Outcomes in Murchison Gascoyne
The State Government was happy to support the Murchison Gascoyne region last week at the Working in Partnership (WIP) Forum. The Forum provided an opportunity for Indigenous community representatives, the mining industry, local business and all levels of Government to discuss the potential for partnership arrangements aimed at improving economic, employment and social outcomes for Indigenous people, the resources sector and the broader community. At the conclusion of the Forum, Acting Director General of the Department of Indigenous Affairs (DIA), Jackie Tang, said that the State Government would undertake service mapping in the Murchison Gascoyne region. Service Mapping or MAGA (Mapping and Gap Analysis) projects report on service provision in particular locations to identify the service gaps and areas for improvement. The MAGA process also provides a framework for statistical analysis and demographics relevant to the region. "It is very important we identify and address unmet opportunities for economic and employment outcomes for Indigenous people through this process," commented Ms Tang.
Dialysis Service in the Kimberleys Wins Indigenous Health Award
The Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Service is a winner of the inaugural 2007 National Excellence Awards in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in the field of Excellence and Innovation in Service Delivery. The Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS) runs the dialysis service, the first community controlled Aboriginal health organisation-operated tertiary dialysis unit in Australia. The Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Service employs Indigenous health workers and work alongside registered nurses to look after Indigenous kidney patients. The Kimberley region has one of the highest rates of end-stage renal failure in the world. Bringing people home to their own land, or as close to is as possible, and reuniting families is important in providing the best possible health care. The Kimberley Satellite Dialysis Service has consistently delivered an innovative, culturally appropriate service and a high standard of clinical care - as well as a vastly improved quality of life for its more than 40 patients. The service has become a model for other organisations around the country and shows what can be achieved in delivering Aboriginal health care. For more information on the service, visit the website here.
Indigenous Scholarships on Offer
The Indigenous Program Initiative is offering a range of specialist merit based scholarships to Indigenous Australians. These scholarships are supported by organisations that wish to take an active role in the development of a vibrant Indigenous screen culture. The Scholarships provide emerging Indigenous filmmakers with access to the nation's leading professional film and television education and training institution. Two scholarships are on offer: the Myer One Year Indigenous Scholarship, which is offered each year and is open to Indigenous applicants across film, television and digital media specialisations. This scholarship provides a $25 000 grant and reasonable relocation expenses and all course fees are waived. The Macquarie Group Indigenous Scholarship is open to emerging filmmakers in any of the key creative initiator roles of the director, producer or the scriptwriter. Again, this scholarship offers $25 000 grant, relocation expenses and waiving of course fees. For more information and for application forms visit the website here.
Desert Leaders Meet in Darwin
Board members from Desert Knowledge Australia, the Desert Knowledge Cooperative Centre and the Desert Peoples Centre have gathered in Darwin to discuss how they can more effectively support each other and work together. The board members have also met with key Territory business people and the Northern Territory Government to highlight the outcomes and achievements of Desert Knowledge so far, and to examine opportunities for future collaboration. The desert knowledge movement started out as an idea ten years ago in the community of Central Australia, where the concept was to build on the knowledge and ideas held by desert dwellers to help achieve a more sustainable economic, social and environmental future. Strong partnerships and collaboration between the organisations has seen significant opportunities created for many desert Australians, including the development of the Desert Knowledge Australia Cross Border Business Project that has seen over 300 businesses in five desert regions of desert Australia generate in excess of $6million for small businesses through cross-border collaboration. Other successes include the creation of the Desert Knowledge CRC, a national research and training organisation that undertakes a wide range of projects of benefit to desert people and the construction of a tertiary and vocational training education facility for Indigenous students from across desert Australia. The Hon Fred Chaney AO, Chair of Desert Knowledge Australia, commented on the exemplary partnership that exist for the desert knowledge movement, "I have rarely seen such cooperation and collaboration between such a broad range of partners to achieve a united vision to create a better future for all desert Australians, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal." For more information visit the website here.
Indigenous Traineeship Program
BHP Billiton Iron Ore (BHPBIO) Asset Development Project and Apprenticeship Australia are committed to assisting Indigenous people to gain meaningful employment within the construction and mining industry. Both organisations are offering apprenticeships for local Indigenous people with little or no experience for the opportunity to receive nationally recognised training over 12 months and a 'step up' into the construction and mining industries. Opportunities are available in areas of scaffolding, rigging, steel fixing, dogging, concreting, machinery and business administration. Successful completion of relevant traineeships is equivalent to first year in an Electrical or Mechanical Apprenticeship. For more information please contact Mandy Boylan via email or on (08) 6263 1495.
Indigenous Australians Tackle Climate Change
Four Indigenous Australians have trained with Nobel peace Prize winner Al Gore to deliver a message on the urgent need for awareness and action on climate change. Steven Ross (NSW), Melissa George (Magnetic Island), Jocelyn Uibo (Numbulwar) and Erika Spry (WA), were amongst 170 Australian residents chosen to be personally trained by the former American Vice President to deliver his slide show presentation on climate change. The slide show was adapted for Australian audiences with additional information on climate science, impacts and solutions. All participants spent two and a half days in Melbourne in early November, learning the slideshow in preparation for delivering their own presentations on climate change. Mr Ross, a co-ordinator with Murray lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) in Albury, described the experience as "amazingly informative and profoundly moving" and said that it would have major significance for Indigenous peoples within the Murray Darling Basin.
Indigenous Governance Awards
If you think your organization is making a difference in your community then put your hand up and nominate for the 2008 Indigenous Governance Awards. The Indigenous Governance Awards are coordinated by Reconciliation Australia and BHP Billiton to encourage, reward and promote effective Indigenous governance. The awards help to highlight Indigenous achievement to all Australians. Applications are available from the website www.igawards.org.au or by phoning Rowena Withers on (02) 6273 9200. Applications close Friday 21 December 2007.
Harmony Grants Available
The Office of Multicultural Interests (OMI) is offering not-for-profit, community based, incorporated organisations, and local government authorities in Western Australia, grants up to $5000 to plan and coordinate projects or events for Harmony Week 2008. This is an opportunity for Western Australians to Connect with each other and engage in community projects or events with people from a diverse range of cultures, religions and languages. For more information and to obtain and application form, visit the OMI website here. Applications close 5pm on Friday 7 December 2007.
A Kimberley Story that Speaks to Everyone
The Black Swan Theatre Company in association with Bunuba Films presents Jandamarra, an Indigenous film that tells the story of the Bunuba people of the Kimberley, but speaks to everyone. Growing up just as the first pastoralists were cutting a swathe through his native land, Jandamarra is one of Australia's great tragic heroes. Station child, angry young man, police tracker of his own people and finally inspirational leader of the most successful Indigenous resistance against white settlement, his life was lived on the jagged edge of change and uncertainty. The story of Jandamarra is told in three languages - English, Bunuba and Kriol. Jandamarra will be on show from 9 - 23 February 2008 at the Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre and tickets can be obtained through contacting BOCS Ticketing on (08) 9484 1133.
Kunbarllanjnja healthy food initiative a national award winner
The Kunbarllanjnja Community Government Council's Remote Indigenous Stores and Takeaway (RIST) received the National Category Winner prize from the Heart Foundation and Kellogg Australia (Pty Ltd) Local Government Awards for 2007 for programs that improve heart health in priority groups. The aim of RIST is to improve the overall health of the community by focusing on the availability of healthy foods. The program helps increase the volume of fresh fruit and vegetables sold, with greater shelf space for healthy foods and less visible space for other foods. With funding from State, Territory and National Health Departments, six remote community stores and/or take aways across Australia have been chosen to implement and assess the project's effectiveness. Halfway into the six-month trial, it is envisaged that information gathered from the Kunbarllanjnja store will be used to develop a model for other stores. The Kunbarllanjnja Community is in Oenpelli, 320 kilometres East of Darwin.
Feedback on 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.
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