NAIDOC Awards and opening ceremony: The State Government has demonstrated its support of NAIDOC 2007 by announcing a one-off $60,000 grants scheme for cultural events that mark the 50th anniversary. In Perth, a volunteer committee headed by Derbal Yerrigan's Colin Garlett and DOCEP staffer Tammy Solenec is planning an official launch and flag raising ceremony.  The Perth NAIDOC committee is also organising the 2007 NAIDOC Awards and Ball. Government and private sector groups interested in sponsoring an award are urged to phone Tammy on 0424 269 439. For more information see the naidocperth.org   website. Plans are also well underway for NAIDOC celebrations in the Kullari region, in the Kimberley. Goolarri Media will once again coordinate the two-week calendar of activities.

Effective Communication Skills for the Workplace: Learn new techniques to communicate effectively at work by attending a full-day workshop offered by WACOSS Training on Tuesday, 8 May 2007. The course is designed to practice and explore listening, questioning and non-verbal communication skills. Communication is a key skill in building successful work relations. For more information on the workshop click here. Registrations for WACOSS training events can be done online by clicking here. Any queries can be directed to Amy Quigley on (08) 9420 7222.

Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review Taskforce Presentation: Martin Thomas, member of the the Prime Minister's Uranium Mining, Processing and Nuclear Energy Review (UMPNER) taskforce will be holding a luncheon and presentation in conjunction with the Perth Branch of the Australian Insititute of Energy on Wednesday, 2 May 2007. The presentation will focus on key findings of the Review and address issues of cost, sustainability, the alternatives, safety and spent fuel disposal. For more information on the presentation and a booking form click here. Enquiries can be directed to Adrienne on (08) 9332 2525 or email registrationswa@aie.org.au.

Remember Indigenous service: To commemorate the service and sacrifice of Indigenous veterans, the Department of Veteran Affairs will work alongside ex-service and community organisations to hold ceremonies in each capital city, Townsville and Alice Springs. They will be held at the State War Memorial in Kings Park on Wednesday, 30 May at 10am. To read the full article please click here. For more information on the ceremonies visit www.dva.gov.au or phone June Cuneo on 9366 8465.

WA Indigenous Films to Screen at Opera House: WA Indigenous filmmakers Glen Stasiuk, Kelli Cross, Debbie Carmody and writer David Milroy will be having their films screened at the Sydney Opera House during the 2007 Message Sticks Film Festival, 4-6 May. The festival is curated by Indigenous filmmakers and will feature new films from Indigenous Australia and Native America. For more information on the festival, visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com/messagesticks or tel: (02) 9250 7777.

Strong growth in forest plantations: The area of Australia's timber plantations increased by 4.5 per cent in 2006, according to new figures from the Bureau of Rural Sciences (BRS). Releasing the annual National Plantation Inventory update at the Timber Communities Conference in Perth, the Australian Minister for Forestry and Conservation, Senator Eric Abetz said the report shows plantations now cover more than 1.8 million hectares."This is positive news for the timber industry and for the community at large," Senator Abetz said. For full media release click here. Copies of the National Plantation Inventory Update and associated reports and data can be downloaded from www.brs.gov.au/plantations, or by contacting BRS on 1800 020 157, email nfi.info@brs.gov.au.

Grant Writing Workshop: Free Grant Writing Workshop presented by the City of Belmont and the Perth Area Consultative Committee (Perth ACC), taking place on Thursday, 31 May 2007. Learn valuable tips for writing applications and applying for funding for small business and community projects. For more information and a registration form click here. Enquiries should be directed to Carol Williams, tel: (08) 9478 1000, email: carol@perthacc.com.au or Denise Barker, tel: (08) 9477 7148, email: denise.barker@belmont.wa.gov.au.

Interviewee required: Curtin University undergraduate Kara Wylie is studying a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and is half way through a unit on Aboriginal Education. One of her assignements is to interview an individual who is Indigenous Australian. Topics to be covered in the interview are history of the interviewee - demographic overview and description of their cultural heritage; exploring issues and experiences that were significant in their education experience and progress; and discussion about attitude towards education. The interview should take no more than 45 minutes. If anyone would be interested in volunteering for Kara's interview, please email her at kara.wylie@student.curtin.edu.au to arrange a suitable time.