Newsletter :: Department of Indigenous Affairs

Aboriginal History Research Unit in Broome: Stephen Loo, Aboriginal History Research Unit and Shaye Hayden, Heritage Information Team travelled to Broome in July to participate in the local Aboriginal community's 2007 NAIDOC events. The invitation, from the Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation, gave the DIA staff members the opportunity to take photographs and genealogies from the Norman Tindale Collection and other private collections of photographs, to the local Broome Aboriginal community.
"The Tindale photographs, in particular, are a talking point for Aboriginal people, searching for their families," Mr Loo said. "Although the images of deceased persons can cause sensitivity in some areas, it gives families the opportunity to view close up images of their loved ones."
DIA staff provided assistance to the Broome Aboriginal people who wanted to apply for their family history. Family history packages provide direct line descendants with access to personal information held in DIA archives.

Females asked to join ACMC: Expressions of Interest are invited from Indigenous females to be a representative on the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee (ACMC). Duties include attending regular ACMC meetings in Perth and providing advice to the Department of Indigenous Affairs about the assessment of the significance of Aboriginal heritage sites, as described in the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. Applications close on Friday 3 August 2007. For further information, please contact Roz Lipscombe, phone 9235 8067 or click here.

Family History workshops in August: The DIA Aboriginal History Research Unit (AHRU) holds workshops throughout the State to provide Aboriginal people with an opportunity to find additional family information as well as assistance to access other services and organisations. In August workshops are scheduled in Perth at the Alexander Library Family History Fair on 5 August 2007 and in Quairading during the Agricultural Hall Centenary Celebrations on 25 and 26 August 2007. For more information about the AHRU or to register for a workshop for your community, please contact Julie Hayden on 9235 8075 or send her an email.

To mark the 50th NAIDOC Anniversary Cabaret in Geraldton, the NAIDOC Committee approached Murchison Metals to sponsor the event. The company was happy to oblige and paid for two bands for the night. The evening was a huge success. Approximately 300 guests celebrated the evening. The audience and organisers were very grateful for the sponsorship and Murchison Metals were proud to be a part of the important 50th Anniversary NAIDOC celebrations.

Ex-service men and women celebrate NAIDOC: Indigenous ex-service men and women were invited to morning tea with the Governor Ken Michael on Wednesday 11 July as part of the NAIDOC celebrations. About 50 veterans and family members attended. This included WWII veteran Ted Headland and Korean veteran Gavin Mallard as well as several Vietnam veterans. Paul Hansen, President of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Veterans Association, and John Schnaars, President of the Honouring Indigenous War Veterans Graves, were also present and thanked the Governor for making the veterans and thier families so welcome.

Recording stories for posterity: ScreenWest has started a project to gather Indigenous community stories and to digitally record oral heritage for posterity. The project aims to maximize opportunities to develop and advance Indigenous filmmaking and story telling. For the latest news and information on the West Australian screen industry, log on tho the ScreenWest website.

Reward someone for their work in health: Do you know someone who is doing great work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health? Nominate them for the inaugural National Excellence Awards in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health. To find out more visit the website or phone the National Excellence Awards enquiry line on 1800 641 538 or send an email.

Australian Copyright Council 2007 Seminar Series: The Australian Copyright Council will run a week-long program of copyright seminars in Perth from Monday 3 until Friday 7 September. The 2007 training program covers various topics regarding copyright including Government, Moral Rights, Recent Developments, Websites and the December 2006 changes to the Copyright Act. For more information, go to their website.

Wangka Maya Awards: If you know someone or an organisation that has been committed to Pilbara Aboriginal languages, culture and history, you can acknowledge their efforts by nominating them for one of the Wangka Maya Annual Awards 2007. The awards recognise the outstanding contributions of individuals and organisations towards the maintenance of Pilbara Indigenous languages. For more information about the Award categories or for nomination forms contact Wangka Maya on 9172 2344 or send an email. Entries close Friday 21 September 2007.

Positions Vacant: There are a number of vacancies at the Department. To view the position details, please visit the employment section of the DIA website here.