Conference and Workshop on Healing Journeys: Tickets are now for sale for the Healing Journeys - Dimensions of Working Through Trauma - conference and workshop, organised by the Coalition of Peoples in respectful partnership with Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation. They present a focus on healing the trauma of the past and moving forward with a plan of action to enhance Indigenous community wellbeing in Western Australia. Conference dates are 11 & 12 September at the Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle. Cost: $200 per person. The workshop is on 13 September at the Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service,Wittenoom St, East Perth. Cost: $60 per person. For more information phone 0428 362 763 or visit the website.

Major Police Boost for Regional and Remote WA: Premier Alan Carpenter has announced that three specialist Police teams comprising a total of 21 police officers will be created to deal with issues facing Western Australian Indigenous communities. The primary aim of the teams will be to investigate abuse in regional communities, especially the Kimberley, Pilbara and Goldfields-Esperance. The teams will work with the Child Protection Squad and receive specific training related to their role in child protection. The teams will be fully operational within the next six to eight months. Find out more.

Community Workforce Village Website Launced: A new national website was launched recently which aims to help the community services sector attract and retain staff. According to Minister for Communities Sue Ellery the Community Workforce Village website is the first of its kind in Australia and provides the community services sector with a forum for sharing resources and best practice for attracting and retaining staff.  Factors such as population growth, economic and social pressures, and changing community expectations are driving the demand for childrens’ services, child protection, disability services and juvenile justice sectors. The new site provides government, non-government and community organisations with valuable resources to help attract and retain staff in the community services sector so it can meet the needs of Australians in the challenging future ahead.

Regional Volunteering Small Grants Program: Applications for the Regional Volunteering Small Grants program close Friday 31 August. The program provides grants of up to $5,000 to not for profit, community based organisations located in regional WA. The Department for Communities has developed the program to help organisations provide better management and support for volunteering in regional Western Australia. For more information contact the Department for Communities on (08) 6217 8512 or go to their website.

Rottnest Tentland Area Closed for Camping: The Rottnest Island Authority will permanently close the Tentland camping area. An investigation has shown that part of the site sits on top of an Aboriginal cemetry. The camping ground will be replaced with a memorial and interpretive centre to give recognition and respect to the hundreds of tribal men who perished on the island in the 19th and 20th century. For more information about the Aboriginal history of the island, visit the Rottnest Island website.

Dampier Peninsula Multi Functional Facility Open Day: Locals of the Dampier Peninsula are welcome at the Multi Functional Facility Open Day on Friday 31 August. This is a good opportunity to have a look around and meet all government agencies that provide assistance and services to the local community. There will be information stalls with flyers and goodies to take. Activities include raising the Aboriginal flag, art painting by school children and dancers and singers. WA Police will provide a sausage sizzle for lunch. The open day starts at 9am until 2pm. For more information contact Sgt Chris Johnston on (08) 9192 4590.

Broome Men's Health Expo: The Broome Regional Aboriginal Medical Service (BRAMS) and Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Council (KAMSC) are hosting a 'Male Health Expo' at Broome's Town Beach on Friday 31 August. The expo coincides with Men's Health Week. Various agencies and organisations will showcast their services and provide information with particular emphasis on services that are directed to or involve men. The event is aimed at Aboriginal men 18-55 years old. Activities include a healthy BBQ lunch, Brazilian Capoeira and Rawlins Tae Kwon Do demonstrations and workshops and a raffle. For more information contact Juan Larranaga, Population Health Coordinator BRAMS on (08) 9192 1338 or email. 

Wanted: Photos with Reconciliation Theme: Reconcilation Australia is looking for the best photos with a reconciliation theme for its travelling exhibition Reconciliation: It's All About Us. Teachers who are looking for a class project to stimulate discussion about reconciliation are encouraged to sign up for the photo search. A reconciliation workshop can start the class project, followed by a short session about how to compose a photograph. Students then set out to capture their ideas on film. The five best photos can be forwarded to Reconciliation Australia before 1 October 2007. For more information, go to the Reconciliation Australia website.

Australian of the Year Nominations Open: Do you know an Australian who you believe makes Australia a better place to live. Then nominate that person for the Australian of the Year Awards. You can nominate in one or more of the following award categories: Australian of the Year, Senior Australian of the Year, Young Australian of the Year and Australia's Local Hero. For more information or to nominate go to the website.

Rock Art of the Kimberley: The Kimberley region is one of the world's most prolific rock art locations. The Kimberley Society has published a new illustrated book that includes the papers and over a hundred photographs form the Kimberley Rock Art seminar held at UWA in 2005. Cost of the book is $49.95, members pay $33.00. For more information visit the Kimberley Society website of send an email.

Madjitil Moorna Choir Searches for New Voices: In the lead up to the Zig Zag Festival in Kalamunda in October, the Madjitil Moorna (Noongar for magical sounds) choir is looking for new talents. The choir is led by Indigenous musicians Della Rae Morrison and Jessie Lloyd. It performs at festivals, during Reconciliation Week and for Naidoc Week and sings songs of hope and joy and everyday things, while learning some language and sharing Aboriginal culture. People of all ages are welcome. Practise sessions are on Mondays 7 - 8.30pm at the Anderson Road Community Centre in Forrestfield. Interested, contact Jo Randell on 04 0911 6460 or email.

UWA lecture with Kim Scott: UWA Press and the Institute of Advanced Studies present a lecture with Miles Franklin winner Kim Scott. Join this free event for a rare chance to hear him read from his work and discuss the influences he has collected as a reader and then writer across his life. The lecture is on 5 September at 6pm. If attending please call (08) 6488 6827 or email with 'Kim Scott' in the subject header by Monday 3 September. For more information go to the website.

Yirra Yaakin ReSpEcT Workshops: Yirra Yaakin invites all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth, aged between 12 and 17 and living in the Balga, Girrawheen and Koondoola areas, to participate in the ReSpEcT workshops with the theatre company's dedicated young leaders from 2006, to produce a video clip to their theme song ReSpEcT. The workshops include dance, theatre, breakdancing, hip hop and MC'ing. They are on Wednesdays 4-5pm from 22 August until 10 October. Contact Yirra Yaakin for more information on (08) 9202 1966 or email.

Indigenous Programs Development Officer Position: The Department of Corrective Services is seeking to appoint an Indigenous Programs Development Officer to monitor the cultural sensitivity, responsitivity and appropriateness of offender programs that the Offender Services Branch delivers. Under section 50d of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 Aboriginality is a genuine occupational requirement of this position. For more job related information contact Erin Sweeny on (08) 9229 6612. For a job application package phone (08) 9476 0011.

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