December eNews
Cabbe melemung’il (Woi wurung greeting)
“Aboriginal culture must live in the hearts, minds and actions of ALL Australians because our diversity makes us richer - and together, we are stronger”. These are the words of Merinda Dryden, Miss NAIDOC 2016, at our recent AGM and Forum. Merinda and Koorie Youth Council’s Deputy Manager Indi Clark provided many inspiring and challenging words during the “Young Aboriginal Perspectives on Reconciliation” panel discussion (read more below).
Their call to action was a fitting way to wind up an eventful year in the Reconciliation space in Victoria, a year in which we have seen the first ever serious attempt by any government in Australia to enter into discussions with the Aboriginal community on negotiating a Treaty. RecVic is also feeling the “winds of change” with some changes to staff and council. Congratulations to Michelle Isles who has taken over as Co-chair from Keith Gove. We thank and acknowledge Keith, who continues on Council and has played a key role in steering the organisation through some difficult times into the strong position it is in today. Michelle joins continuing Co-Chair Belinda Duarte to lead RecVic in 2017.
We also welcome Deb Chapman who joined the Council at the AGM, after having been involved in a local group and with RecVic for some time. And a warm thank you to John Smith who stood down from Council after a six year stint, in which he made a highly valued contribution, in particular in the development of the Maggolee website.
Staffwise, once again we wish Statewide Coordinator Erin McKinnon au revoir as she leaves us to enjoy the delights of new parenthood for a second time. Aileen Traynor, who joined RecVic in February, will be stepping into her shoes in her absence. And we welcome back Emily Chauvel Byrne as a part time Project Officer.
And in exciting breaking news, our warm congratulations to Council member John Baxter, who last night was inducted onto the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll!
Thank you for your support in 2016, and stay safe over the holiday break.
~ The RecVic team
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Congratulations John Baxter - "fearless champion for reconciliation and equity"
Congratulations to RecVic Council member John Baxter, who last night was inducted onto the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll. And congratulations also to the other 2016 inductees: Aunty Pam Pedersen, Aunty Judith "Jacko" Jackson, Angela Clarke, Barbara Walker, Frances Gallagher, Gwen Atkinson, Glen Peters, Clara Luttrell-Garisau and Mary Jane Gunyuk Milawa.
The Honour Roll serves to formally acknowledge and celebrate the wide-ranging achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians, past and present. John was inducted due to his fearless advocacy for Aboriginal people living with a disability and for his tireless commitment to reconciliation.
Read more
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Reconciliation Victoria
2016 AGM and Annual Statewide Forum
Reconciliation Victoria's AGM and Statewide Forum was held Saturday 12 November at the Korin Gamadji Institute, in conjunction with ANTaR Victoria's AGM.
The AGM was followed by a panel discussion: "Young Aboriginal Perspectives on Reconciliation", featuring two inspiring guest speakers: the 2016 Miss NAIDOC, Merinda Dryden, and Indi Clark from the Koorie Youth Council. Young Aboriginal musician, artist and educator Brent Watkins, from Culture Evolves, provided the entertainment with some wonderful didge playing.
The panel discussion was followed by a Q&A and Small Group Discussion: 'From Talk to Action: So what does this mean for me and my role in Reconciliation?'
Approximately eighty people attended the event, with many new faces amongst the crowd.
A full report, photos and edited video are now available on our website.
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Our 2016 Annual Report is out now
 Our new look Annual Report is available now. It includes all the highlights from 2016 - including a report on the tour to Budj Bim and the launch of the Maggolee website, a Co-Chairs' Report, a Local Group Round Up, and more.
A big thank you to volunteer Alana Picone for her great work on the report's design.
Download here
If you'd like to receive a hard copy of the report contact the office
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Threat to Racial Discrimination Act
Once again there are moves from elements within the Coalition Government and the cross bench to amend Section 18 of the Racial Discrimination Act, and the current Parliament has recently established a Freedom of Speech Parliamentary Inquiry.
We encourage you to submit a response to the current Inquiry. This is a chance for you to have your say, and to stand up for protections against race hate speech.
If you are interested in submitting a submission, the best place to start is the Terms of Reference, which can be found here
The deadline for submission is Friday 9 December, 2016, with the committee due to report on the findings in late February.
For more information, including tips on writing a submission, check out our website
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Huge congratulations to Kutcha
on winning the Melbourne Prize for Music 2016 and also the Distinguished Musicians Fellowship.
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The Melbourne Prize for Music is awarded to a Victorian musician, or group, whose work has made an outstanding contribution to Australian music and has enriched cultural and public life.
The competition was fiercely talented and he was up against some Australian legends.
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Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation – Winners of the 2016
Reconciliation Writing Competition
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In late November Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation announced the winners of their 2016 Reconciliation Writing Competition at a prize presentation event at The Avenue Bookshop in Albert Park. Congratulations to all the winners and the hundreds of entrants, as well as the teachers that encouraged the student entrants. There's some thought provoking and powerful writing in the booklet of winning entries that is available for $5 through PPCfR: 9699 8804 or email rosemary.rule@gmail.com
Photo: Prize winning siblings Carlin (left) and Soraya Briggs with local Elder, Aunty Jacko, who provided the Acknowledgement of Country.
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Geelong One Fire Group wins Australia Post Grant
Congratulations to Geelong One Fire Reconciliation Group (GOFRG), the recipient of a $9,000 grant from Australia Post to fund a project to strengthen reconciliation activities, educate the wider community and strengthen local Aboriginal knowledge of history and culture. The funds will go towards the further development of the Djillong website.
Photo: Members of GOFRG with Uncle David Tournier and staff from the Wathaurong Aborginal Cooperative, receiving 2016 HART Award for "Reconciliation in the Park", an event they run in partnership.
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New Website launch
Public Record Office Victoria has recently launched a test version of a new website that includes a dedicated Koorie Services section which aims to make your research journey easier. It includes:
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Congratulations
to the 2016 Victorian Community History Project Winners
Among the winners in this year’s Victorian Community History Awards were a number of projects focused on aspects of Victoria's Aboriginal History.
'We Are All of One Blood'. A History of the Djabwurrung Aboriginal People of Western Victoria, 1836 - 1901 won in the category of Local History Project Award.
Read the full list of award winners and short listed projects
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The latest edition of Narragunnawali News celebrates the importance and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages in Australia. It also explores the role schools and early learning services play in supporting the maintenance, revitalisation and revival of First Languages.
The stories and ideas in these pages from schools, early learning services, educators and teachers engaged with First Languages programs are designed to inspire your teaching practice. With the recent announcement of the 2017 NAIDOC theme, Our Languages Matter, this newsletter is sure to be a useful resource to prepare for this important week and beyond.
Have your say
Narragunnawali is assisting the Australian National University to understand the attitudes and experiences of educators towards incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content into the classroom. We encourage you to contribute to this important research by completing this short survey.
Explore Narragunnawali News in full here.
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NAIDOC Week 2017 theme
The importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages will be the focus of national celebrations marking NAIDOC Week 2017.
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The 2017 theme, Our Languages Matter, aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.
Learn more about the importance of this theme here.
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New Wurundjeri Cultural Walking Tours in the Dandenong Ranges
Operated by Bullen Bullen Tours
1 hour guided tours operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Commencing at 11am and 2pm.
Heighten your senses and open your heart to Country. Come and see, smell, taste, touch and hear the music of Country. Learn about our lore, traditional foods, fibres and our special use plants and animals.
Tours leave from Grants Picnic Ground, 70 Monbulk Road, Kallista.
For bookings contact 0401 902 321 email bullenbullen@wurundjeri.com.au. For further information go to wurundjericulturaltours.com.au
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Boxing Day Test match to commemorate Aboriginal cricketers
This year's Boxing Day Test will commemorate the landmark match between an Aboriginal XI and the Melbourne Cricket Club 150 years ago at the same venue. The match came 18 months before an Aboriginal team embarked on their historic tour of England in 1868.
Australia's cricketers will sport a piece of artwork on their playing shirts designed by Aboriginal artist Fiona Clarke (pictured), the great great grand-daughter of James 'Mosquito' Couzens, who was part of the Aboriginal XI. Several activities will take place in the lead-up to and during the traditional MCG clash. Read more
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Treaty and Constitutional Reform Update
In October the Referendum Council released a Discussion Paper that sets out some of the different options for change and outlines some of the issues to be taken into account. It also invites feedback. You can read it here.
Aboriginal Victoria launched a new website this week, featuring a dedicated Treaty section, including Results of consultations & Pathway to treaty. A new video inviting Victorian Aboriginal people to be involved in the treaty process has also been released, voiced by our very own Council member Uncle John Baxter. To watch the video please visit our Treaties website page.
Associate Professor Mark McMillan, a Wiradjuri man and constitutional lawyer spoke on RN's Sunday Extra (Oct 30) about the current treaty making process that the Victorian government has undertaken with Traditional Owners across the state.
Former PM Paul Keating has declared that he doesn't support the Constitutional Recognition process and believes a Treaty is the best way forward. The Anglican Church on the other hand recently issued a statement calling for Constitutional Recognition.
Make sure you check out our revamped website pages on both Constitutional Reform and Treaty. We hope they are more accessible and provide greater insight into the current Victorian context for both campaigns. We welcome your feedback. And you can keep up-to-date with the conversation via our and Facebook page.
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No longer a wandering spirit: the story of Bessy Flowers
In 1867 Bessy Flowers, along with four other young Indigenous girls, was sent away from her home in Albany and never returned.
State Library Creative Fellow Sharon Huebner unravels the journey of two Aboriginal family groups – Wirlomin Minang Noongar from the Great Southern region of Western Australia and Koorie from Eastern Victoria – after discovering the history of their ancestor, held in a colonial archive for more than 150 years.
1 December 2016, 6:00pm–8:00pm
State Library of Victoria
Bookings and info
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The City of Port Philip warmly invites you to the launch of Boonwurrung Creative, Caroline Martin’s Possum Skin Cloak, commissioned by Port Philip Council.
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Friday, 2 December
11am, St Kilda Town Hall, Portico entrance.
Welcome to Country, launch and a light morning tea.
For more information visit www.portphillip.vic.gov.au
or call Daniel Carter on 9209 6694 or Dcarter@portphillip.vic.gov.au
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Friday 11 November – Sunday 4 December
Blaque Showgirls is not your standard sexploitation story. Ginny is a white-skinned ‘blaque’ girl who dreams of becoming the best Aboriginal dancer in the glitzy clubs of Brisvegas. Belittled by judges at her Blaque Showgirls audition, Ginny begins to doubt that she’ll ever perform her ‘Peking Emu’ on stage. That is, until the Asian hostess of Kum Den shows her there’s more than one way to make a buck out of cultural tourism. Ginny’s big break is just around the corner and there might be a bedazzled dot-painting jumpsuit in her colour after all.
Blaque Showgirls deftly flips the dance film genre on its head in a satirical take on cinematic clichés. Created by the writer behind Blak Cabaret and ABC’s Black Comedy, this is a street-smart satire that cashes in on cultural tourism.
Malthouse Theatre, Sturt Street, Southbank
7.30pm
Adult $65 : Senior $60 : Concession $50 : Student & Under 30s $35
Further information
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Sunday 11 December
1pm - 4pm
Celebrate Krismas with a K
The Koorie Heritage Trust presents our second annual Koorie Krismas event with an afternoon of festive family fun.
Join in free activities, live music and workshops throughout the afternoon with a special appearance by Koorie Klaus at 3pm!
Create Koorie Krismas decorations in workshops with Cassie Leatham-Harrap and Marilyne Nicholls, and catch performances including Culture Evolves, Tongberang’i Ngargga Inc, and more.
You can also pick up the perfect Christmas gift from our retail store, Shop KOORIE, and check out the Koorie Art Show 2016 showing in our gallery.
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Yarra Building and Federation Square, Melbourne
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In August the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV) launched a
Permanent display of Victorian Aboriginal records
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Chosen in consultation with Gundijtmara Elder Jim Berg, the records include a reproduction of a hand-coloured plan of Framlingham Aboriginal Station from 1937 (pictured above).
Also on display:
• The 'spiral' petition from residents of Lake Tyers Aboriginal Station, 1931
• A petition from Coranderrk residents dated 1882.
Public Record Office Victoria
99 Shiel Street, North Melbourne
Gurrowa Conference Room
These can be viewed during opening hours
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm (when the room is not in use).
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Thursday 15 December
6.30 - 8.30pm
Gertrude Contemporary, 200 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
Join us for a panel discussion on Aboriginal incarceration and prison radio. MC and music by Kutcha Edwards.
Light refreshments, complimentary CDs and beverages provided.
More information 3CR – Phone 9419 8377 or www.3cr.org.au
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Wominjeka Festival 2017
Presenting a rich and diverse program of art, music, performance, film and activities celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Melbourne’s west, and from across the country.
Saturday 14 January – Saturday 21 January 2017
Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland Street, Footscray
Schedule of events
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
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Facebook: Belgrave Survival Day
Website: www.belgravesurvivalday.org
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Reconciliation Manningham invites you to an important forum on constitutional reform.
Three key speakers will highlight the need to remove the race-based provisions from the Australian Constitution.
Speakers:
- Uncle Bill Nicholson, Wurundjeri Elder.
- Karen Milward, Yorta-Yorta woman and Consultant on Aboriginal cultural differences.
- Anne Barton, Social Planner and great-granddaughter of Edmund Barton, our first PM.
Manningham City Council Function Room,699 Doncaster Rd, Doncaster
7.30pm, Wednesday 22 nd February 2017
Registration required : arthur.recman@gmail.com |
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We respectfully acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands and waters of Victoria.
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