Mungo…
The Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation respectfully acknowledge the traditional
owners of the land we meet on, the Yalukit Wilam people of the Boon Wurrung.
This newsletter is supported by a Community Grant from the City of Port Phillip and printed with the assistance of the Member for Albert Park, Martin Foley, MP. March 2011
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FROM THE CO-CHAIR
Up and running: Many thanks to all the people who came to our February, and first meeting for the year, particularly newcomers Penelope and Dennis, and also to Todd Condie, the Council’s indigenous Policy Officer. The enthusiasm generated around the meeting table provided an inspiring - framework for planned activities, including guest speakers, Reconciliation Week (May-June) and NAIDOC Week (July) events. Stay tuned for details via Mungo.
Schools: Albert Park Secondary College officially welcomed its first students on 4 February. The occasion was an especially memorable one, thanks to the Welcome to Country, smoking ceremony and talk from Uncles Larry Walsh and Herb Pattern on behalf of the Boon Wurrung Foundation that PPCfR initiated, totally captivating the 150 students, principal, staff and parents present. I want to extend special thanks to Gael Wilson who oversaw all the arrangements, and to recommend her detailed report below. Gael, assisted by Suzanne Peart, will continue to work with schools in our area throughout the year.
YWN: The annual Yalukit Willam Ngargee festival that heralds the start of the St Kilda Festival went ahead on 5 February in spite of the horrid storm the previous night. By all accounts, the Welcome to County by Aunty Carolyn Briggs, singers, comedians and other performers, were well received by those who attended. Later in the evening, the BoonWurrung Ngargee sunset ceremony that included three different children’s groups enticed members of the public to participate. Hopefully, next year the weather will be more crowd friendly and that there will provision for more community stalls. (PPCfR did not have one this year).
Closing the Gap: It seems almost unfathomable to contemplate why there is still such a vast gap between the life, health and education outcomes for Indigenous Australians compared to non-indigenous. We’ve had bridge walks, an apology from Kevin Rudd, commitments
from Prime Minister Gillard, the NT Intervention, the spotlight shed on conditions from the UN, Human Rights
Commissioners and many knowledgeable, influential Australians, yet in spite of these and other initiatives, a recent survey by the Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2010, found a deepening level of cynicism and lack of interest in reconciliation by people overall. Why have we, collectively, let reconciliation and related issues fade from the public spotlight? Does this augur well for a good outcome for Australia and Australians generally? I think not. In our very, very small way, it is to be hoped that PPCfR can continue to be involved with our local Indigenous community and try to make a difference.
Goodbye: Michelle Alchin is leaving her job as the Council’s Coordinator, Community Sector Strengthening. We’ve worked closely with Michelle for several years and have appreciated the help, assistance and advice she’s given PPCfR and wish her all the best for the future.
Guest speaker: You are invited to come along to our March meeting to hear DanielKing, the City of Port Phillip’s Indigenous Arts Officer,Culture and Leisure Arts and Festivals, talk about his plans for the year.
Rosemary Rule
ANTAR News
The next local reconciliation groups meeting is on Saturday 19th March, 1:30-3:30pm, in the Father Tuckers Room, 67 Brunswick Street Fitzroy, enter at the rear via Fitzroy Street. Topics include National Reconciliation Week activities. For details, contact ANTaR, 9419 3613.
Reconciliation Victoria
Rec Vic will be promoting activities and events planned for National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June under the 2011 theme: ‘Let's talk recognition’. They invite news events to be posted onto their website. Contact them for news and information via:
Tasty tips
Enjoy the ‘Taste of Reconciliation Bridge Lunch’ as part of 2011 Melbourne Food & Wine Festival, with food provided by Charcoal Lane, the restaurant that promotes Aboriginal youth and skills, at Sandridge Bridge (the old railway bridge across the Yarra), March 6, 1pm-4pm. Details: melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Kutcha Edwards
‘yuyukatha’ is the latest show from this talented Indigenous singer/performer/story teller. It’s at The Famous Spiegel Garden, Arts Centre, St Kilda Road, 5 March, 5pm. Bookings: theartscentre.com.au or 1300 182 183.
Murundak, the film
A brilliant film, ‘Murundak, Black Armband’ focusing on some of our best indigenous singers and musicians and a few non-indigenous ones, had its world premiere in Melbourne last month and a free screening in O’Donnell Gardens. It’s also being shown as part of the Adelaide Film Festival on 1st and 5th of March, then again as part of the Womadelaide festival the following week and is scheduled to be broadcast on SBS, probably at the end of May. The directors are also shoring up details of a theatrical release commencing in April. Information regarding news/screenings can be found via www.murundakdocumentary.com or on facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001889003391&ref=ts. Highly recommended.
Diversity Day
All welcome to the lunch time celebration of the Diversity in our Port Phillip Community.
12-2, food (served from 12.30) and entertainment from our diverse community, Monday 21st March, St Kilda Town Hall front lawn. Call Assist 9209 6777 for further details.
Aboriginal Writers’ Retreat (AWR)
The newly established Koolunga writers’ retreat aims to provide a creative, fun and safe environment for Indigenous literacy and artistic projects. The AWR will provide workshop space (for up to six guests maximum) in the Clare Valley, South Australia. Residencies based on ‘a labour exchange network’ will also be considered. The AWR can assist by supporting funding applications and providing in kind support. For more information contact the Victorian Writers Centre, 9094 7855 or email:
Art exhibition
“Trademarks: international indigenous culture from the Leonard Adam Collection” is on at Ian Potter Museum of Art, University of Melbourne, Swanston Street, March 9-July 24. Free entry. Enquiries: 8344 5148.
Bundoora Homestead Art Centre
7-27 Snake Gully Drive Bundoora – Tel (03) 9496 1060
Tram Route 86 Stop 62 Melways 19 G2
www;bundoorahomestead.com
Wednesday to Friday 11.00am – 4.00pm
Saturday to Sunday 12.00 noon – 4.00pm
18th March 2011 – 15th May 2011
Artists Ink :
Printmaking from the Warrnambool Art Gallery
Collection 1970 – 2001
Drawn from the collection of the Warrnambool
Art Gallery and curated by Anne Virgo, Director,
Australian Print Workshop, this selection of prints documents thirty years of Australian printmaking. The selected works represent a range of styles and approaches to the print medium and includes notable printmakers such as Yvonne Boag, Dean Bowen, John Coburn, Tim Jones, Deborah Klein, Graeme Peebles and
Geoff Ricardo.
Warrnambool Art Gallery touring exhibition
REPORT ON OPENING OF NEW ALBERT PARK SCHOOL
On Friday 4 February, 150 young students attended their first day of school at the new Albert Park College.
We have been liaising with the school for some time to offer them a Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony to mark the occasion of a
new school and were delighted that the Principal, Steve Cook was very open to the idea of recognising the history of the indigenous people.
The C.O.P.P., through the initiative of the local councillor, Judith Klepner, gave us a small "Neighbourhood Grant" and we planned to be part of this important occasion.
Hence, at about 9am after the skies had opened and everyone ran for cover, students, teachers and parents and our local member, Martin Foley, all gathered in the new hall while Uncle Larry Walsh from the Boonwurrung tribe performed a Smoking Ceremony and gave a Welcome to Country on behalf of Aunty Carolyn Briggs. Uncle Larry spoke warmly with the children explaining the significance of the ceremony and entertaining them. He was ably assisted by Uncle Herb Patten who also spoke about the aboriginal peoples of the land and played Waltzing Matilda on the gum leaf.
My feedback from everyone I have spoken to at the school has been very positive and we hope to do something similar at the official opening of the school in April. The Vice Principal, John Pobjoy, has told me that the school will be very interested to have our group included in any way that we think might be appropriate and I have planned a further meeting with him to discuss this.
Thanks to Rosemary and Liz who came along on the day, thanks to Judith Klepner and to the C.O.P.P. for the grant and special thanks to Todd Condie, Indigenous Policy Officer with the council, who was so supportive and encouraging to our group.
Gael Wilson
REPORT ON "A FURTHER CONVERSATION WITH ELDERS" HELD AT THE MELBOURNE
LAW SCHOOL ON MONDAY 7 FEB.
On Monday 7th February I attended the Melbourne Law School to hear a further conversation with Elders from the Northern Territory regarding the "Intervention" .
In a media release prior to this discussion the Rt Honourable Malcolm Fraser made a short address and the Hon. Alistair Nicholson QC presented a "Statement on Aboriginal Rights by Leading Australians"
The failure to restore the rights of aboriginal people is currently being scrutinised under the Universal Periodic Review Process of the United Nations Human Rights Council and critics have revealed that Australia lags behind international standards on human rights policies.
"In particular the Northern Territory Response (The Intervention) has been progressed without credible consultation with, or the approval of, aboriginal people".
Whilst listing examples of inequality for a people the statement concludes that "aboriginal people in the Northern Territory must have choice and must not be forced to abandon their lands and heritage in order to obtain services that are automatically provided to other
Australians" It called on the government to "terminate the Intervention" and to repeal current legislation and "re-introduce the Racial Discrimination Act in an unqualified form".
A full copy of this Media Release may be obtained through the "Concerned Australians" web site.
During the next hour and a half four hundred people listened to the impassioned views of the seven Elders who spoke about what was happening on their communities and were united in their opposition to
the Intervention. Lack of empowerment and no consultation were major concerns. Both Rosalie Kunoth-Monks from Utopia, Central Australia and the Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM from Galiwin'ku in East Arnhem
Land had attended the recent United Nations Meeting in Geneva to represent the case for indigenous Australians.
At the end of the night the seven Elders presented their own Statement to the People of Australia. A copy of this is attached.
Gael Wilson
FURTHER INFORMATION IN REGARD TO THE DISCUSSION WITH ELDERS.
People may have noted that there has been virtually no reporting in the press about the important" Discussion With Elders" held at the Melbourne Law school last week.
However the following letter to the Age was published and is of interest:
"Elders Speak Out
This week, leaders from northern Territory communities addressed a 400 strong audience at Melbourne University.
This "Conversation with the Elders" started from a different premise than Warren Mundine and Mal Brough put forward in the article"Still sorry, still closing the gap" (focus,9/2): that the intervention was an enforced, compulsory imposition by the Australian state on the
lives of thousands of Aboriginal people, who have been unfairly branded by a process that treats them, every day, as lesser citizens that other Australians.
The elders said that their communities were traumatised. The issues they raised included quarantining of welfare, abolition of local languages from schools, imposition of shire structures that bypass community decision making, government business managers who monitor community members, government refusal to maintain basic onditions in homelands, and artificial "hub" towns creating conditions for violence and despair.
This group recently delivered its assessment of the intervention and discriminatory practices to the United Nations, which received no coverage.
Alison Caddick, North Fitzroy "
Gael Wilson
A TOUCH OF HISTORY
Fernando’s Ghost
In ‘Fernando’s Ghost’, we hear about the extraordinary international career of the Aboriginal rights activist Anthony Martin Fernando, who is slowly emerging from the shadows, 60 years after his death.
He was an Aborigtinal man who pinned toy skeletons to his overcoat and picketed Australia House in London in the 1920s. He tried to petition the Pope and was accused of being a German spy.
Fernando was born in Sydney in 1864, the son of an Aboriginal mother, his ‘guiding star’ from whom he was separated as a child. He claimed to have been brought up in the home of a white family who denied him an education and treated him like a pet. He complained bitterly about the mission system, describing its settlements as ‘murderhouses’ – instead proposing that an Aboriginal state be established in Australia’s north, free from British and Australian interference, under the mandate of a neutral power.
Even through Fernando is relatively unknown, he has a mythology. As far as historians can ascertain, Fernando was driven into self-imposed exile in the early 1900s, after being excluded from giving evidence in the trial of white men accused of the murder of Aboriginal people. He believed the only way to secure justice for his people was to go to Europe. There he believed he might confront the British, whom he accused – through the Australian Government – of ‘systematically exterminating’ Indigenous people.
A religious man who could quote tracts of the Bible, he believed that God had entrusted him with a mission to save Aboriginal people from the colonial system that oppressed them.
SPIRITUAL SONG OF THE ABORIGINE
I am a child of the Dreamtime People
Part of this Land, like the gnarled gum tree
I am the river, softly singing
Chanting our songs on my way to the sea
My spirit is the dust-devils
Mirages, that dance on the plain
I’m the snow, the wind and the falling rain
I’m part of the rocks and the red desert earth
Red as the blood that flows in my veins
I am eagle, crow and snake that glides
Through the rain-forest that clings to the mountainside
I awakened here when the earth was new
There was emu, wombat, kangaroo