Mungo…
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.
April, 2009
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FROM THE CO-CHAIR
I was delighted to be invited to MacRobertson Girls High School’s official Acknowledgement Ceremony on 16 March. At a special Assembly for 1000 students and special guests, a commemorative plaque was unveiled, acknowledging the original Aboriginal land owners on which the school is built. Apparently the idea for it came after the Prime Ministers Apology to Aboriginal people when numerous students expressed a desire for their school to have a similar recognition. Isobel Morphy Walsh, one of the indigenous students and event organizer, gave a terrific speech about ‘closing the gap’, reproduced with her permission below. During the ceremony, three students (one from Zimbabwe), sang the popular traditional Aboriginal song, “In-na-nay” and SRC president Amanda Jenkins presented the plaque to Boonwurrung Elder Carolyn Briggs. Many I spoke with afterwards, including the Principal, said they would be interested in participating in some of our local public events, so I will certainly be maintaining contact with the school.
Another celebration that PPCfR was invited to participate in was a Melbourne Harmony Day event in Alma Park, East St Kilda on Sunday, 15 March. It was an interfaith, multicultural, environmental festival featuring arts and crafts, food and music. It began with a Welcome to Country by Carolyn Briggs and afterwards, the City of Port Phillip’s Indigenous Cultural Officer Bo Svoronos welcomed guests and performers, including Mayor Frank O’Connor, and two didgeridoo players. Our information stall was prominently positioned and in spite of the inclement weather, it was fairly well attended. We talked to quite a few people including many from the Jewish community, did a bit of networking and welcomed two new members. The event was (well) organized by the Jewish Ecological Coalition and the Interfaith Environmental Group GreenFaith Australia. Thanks to Gael, Liz Brumer, Harry and Noelleen and Allison for helping out.
We had a good gathering for our March meeting although unfortunately, our guest speaker Allyson Walker was ill and unable to be there. Carolyn Briggs and the EcoCentre’s Neil Blake came along, as did Patricia, a new member we met at Harmony Day. There was plenty of robust discussion and
the emergence of some exciting plans including activities in schools being coordinated by Emely, a lunch for Sorry Day in the lead up to Reconciliation Week in May, an outdoor event for NAIDOC Week in July and a forum on the Intervention at a date to be determined. If you’re interested in being involved in any of these, we’d love to hear from you!
The Port Melbourne Probus Club has asked if we’d be interested in speaking about our group and work at their meeting on 24 April.
Sometime in April, we will officially move into our new premises in the Community Hub within South Melbourne Town Hall. We’ve had two working bees to sort/throw out and pack up all the material in our office ready for the Council removalists to take across the road. Many thanks to all those who came along and did such a sterling job, and in the process, unearthed some fascinating and long-forgotten items that will be archived. A few of us were taken on a site visit to our new premises, entered via Fishley Street which runs off Bank Street. However, with quite a bit of work to be completed and our storage area being inaccessible, there are a few things to be resolved relating to how we can make the best use of our allocated space. On the positive side, we will have access to a nice room to meet in each month and to a larger one for public events. As entry into The Hub is via a coded security system, we’ll have to think up a clever way to let people into the building for our evening meetings. Doubtless everything will work out well in the end, but who said change was ever easy?
Rosemary Rule
Isobel Morphy-Walsh’s speech
A Year 12 student at MacRobertson Girls High School and one of their two Indigenous students, Isobel made this speech at a special school assembly on 16 March to unveil a commemorative plaque acknowledging the original Aboriginal land owners on which her school is built, as follows:
Australia. Our Australia, the lucky country. A place of refuge for countless people fleeing war torn countries. A place where people come dreaming of a better life. A nation built on immigration. A place of freedom, acceptance and of community. A place of love, tolerance and mateship. But is that how it is for everybody? Does everyone feel equal in today’s society? What of our indigenous population? Perhaps the Australia we know and love is a little less accepting of those who have been here forever.
It is true that in the current political climate progress has been made however not enough is being done to rectify past injustices or address the ever prevalent gap between Indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. The National Apology to the Stolen Generation, was a beautiful first step in the path to rectifying past abhorrent treatment of Indigenous Australians. However Kevin Rudd’s pledge “To developing a comprehensive, long-term plan of action… addressing the existing inequities… of health status and life expectancy between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non- Indigenous Australians by 2030.” is quietly and quickly slipping away. Instead we see a re-emergence of the previous “sweep it under the carpet” mentality. The Rudd government needs to take immediate action to develop and implement an action plan.
The gap between the quality of life of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-indigenous Australians is most evident when taking about the difference in life expectancy. for Indigenous males life expectancy is 59.4 years and 64.8 years for females, compared with 76.6 years for all males and 82.0 years for all females for the period 1998-2000. Furthermore infant mortality rates for Indigenous Australians skyrockets to three times that of non-indigenous Australians.
The gap doesn’t stop at a lower life expectancy and poorer health standards; there is also a gap between education standards and levels. According to the Australian Bureau of statistics and Australian government institute of health and welfare joint media release on the 29th of April 2008: Indigenous people were half as likely to complete Year 12 as non-Indigenous people. As Tom Calma the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, says “Despite the obviously important nature of education, Indigenous Australians continue to be the most educationally disadvantaged group in Australia, a fact which goes hand in hand with other disadvantage.” It is ludicrous that such a privileged, developed, and community focused nation has a 17 year age gap in life expectancy between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians.
This issue is not just an issue for the Prime Minister and Cabinet to engage with. Everyone can do something. By signing the pledge, donating money or time or writing to your local member you will be raising awareness and telling the government that this issue needs to be addressed swiftly and diligently.
Through the recent response to the bushfire we have proved what a generous and giving nation we can be. Perhaps this generosity needs to be shared to others. As Martin Luther King Junior said “bad things happen, when good people do nothing.” If we stand by as the life gap between indigenous Australians and non-indigenous Australians senselessly increases then we are in effect oppressing a proud people. We are actively allowing an undercurrent of racism to govern us. So let’s do this nation proud, and allow us to move forward, together indigenous and non-indigenous Australians hand in hand. Together let's close the Gap.
New Noel Tovey Award
Indigenous author, actor, dancer and mentor Noel Tovey, has initiated an award with Australian dance theatre group called Phunktional. The first was presented to Cody, a dance student who lived in the MJJC. MelbourneJuvenileJusticeCentre and completed his VCE unit 1 in Dance while in prison. Since his release, Cody has made the music for 'Calling the Shots', a new film trailer that according to Phunktional’s Gerard Veltre, will hopefully lead to a feature length film projectoccurringover the next two years. Gerard said he had “felt incredibly privileged” to have seen Noel recent autobiographical play “Little Black Bastard. He said “it was inspiring and life changing in the best possible way.” Noel presented Cody with the award at Gasworks Arts Park, South Melbourne. It gave him 10 sessions in a professional recording studio to finish making his EP or album. Supporters of the award include the Melbourne Storm, DHS, White Lion, and Living Music. More details via Phunktional, 0403 192 983 or www.phunktional.com.
Reconciliation Victoria News
Rec. Vic has written to their members and friends inviting them to support their requests for funding.
We are most dismayed to have to inform you that this year, for the first time, Reconciliation Victoria's funding is in question. As of early March, we still have no confirmation thatthe State Government will be supporting us this coming financial year (09/10). This is despite the recommendations in successive Federal and State Government reports calling for the need for state-based reconciliation groups, and the continuing imperative for greater understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
For the past six months, the staff and CEO have been working tirelessly to change this situation, but so far have not met with any concrete success. Given the importance of the work we do hereat Rec Vic, we are not about to give up hope just yet. Indeed, we believe thatif sufficientpeople raise their voices, the State Government will move to guarantee our funding, not just for this year, but returnus to thethree-yearly agreements we were previously given.
Our plan, in addition to all our usual (and extraordinaryefforts)is toattract attention to our causeas follows: Early March: We need you, our members, to write to your local MPS, and the key ministers (Richard Wynne, Rob Hulls and the Premier), and explain to them why State Government funding for reconciliation is so important.
Late March: Our ambassadors will begin to meet withthese same ministers in order to reinforce our message. Early April: Rec. Vic will launch a media campaign in the mainstream, community and Indigenous press. At this stage we would encourage you all to write letters to the editor, opinion pieces, to speak on radio if possible and generallyto engage enthusiastically in the public conversation around the importance for State-based reconciliation.
Please get in touch with Reconciliation Victoria if you need our suggested letter to use as the basis of your own letter. Write or phone your local member and the key ministers
Contact Reconciliation Vic: 9662 1645, or visit: www.reconciliationvic.org.au
P.S: PPCfR has written to Martin Foley, Member for Albert Park and to Peter Batchelor, Minister for Community Planning, asking that they support RV’s application for funding.
1 & 2 April – Modern Ways for Ancient Words
Puliima invites you to join them at this National Indigenous languages and Information communication technology Forum – Modern Ways for Ancient Words. This is held over a 2 day period from the 1 April in Melbourne. This year’s forum aims to expose language workers to the progress which has been made in regards to technology and the ways in which it can support and enhance language revitalisation efforts through hands-on workshops, speaker presentations and product & supply exhibitions. The content will cover a range of multimedia from the use of basic equipment such as audio and video recorders, to computer based programs that support the teaching of languages and the production of resources. In particular, they are thrilled to present a 3-D animation program that enables users to create animated resources in their own language!
For more information and how to register visit: http://www.acra.org.au/puliima.html
2 April – National Close the Gap Day
Oxfam and the Unity Foundation invite you to join Reconciliation Victoria at Federation Square on April 2 for National Close the Gap Day. Athletes from many different sports will come together on National Close the Gap Day to highlight the critical importance of the health crisis facing Indigenous Australians. Federation Square 10:00am and 12:15pm. See: http://www.oxfam.org.au/events/close-the-gap-day/
9 April – Closing the Gap talk
‘Forging new partnerships to address Indigenous disadvantage in Australia’ by Terry Moran, AO, Secretary of the Dept. Of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, reflecting on the challenges and successes of COAG’s Indigenous reform agenda. At 12 noon, State Library of Victoria Theatrette, entry 3, Latrobe Street. Bookings: , or call 02 6273 9200.
2-25 April – Ilbijerri Theatre - A Black Sheep Walks into a Baa…
Ilbijerri Theatre presents three bags full of hot Indigenous comedians, carving up post-apology Australia with a cracking night of black sketch comedy. Part of the 2009 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This is The New Black. And it's hilarious. Melbourne Town Hall, Tues-Sat 2-25 April (no shows over Easter) – Tickets available through Ticketmaster Tel: 1300 660 013. For information visit http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/
Bruce Pascoe @ Underground Talk
Bruce Pascoe: Convincing Ground and the future of Australian history
6 for 6:30pm Wednesday 8 April
Recently featured in SBS' First Australians series, Bruce Pascoe is a Mallacoota-based indigenous historian and novelist. His latest book Convincing Ground is a passionate appeal to Australians to face up to the injustices and violence of our past, to forge a new history - and a new future.
New International Bookshop, 54 Victoria St. Carlton (Trades Hall, cnr. Lygon) Ph. 9662 3744 after noon.
Melbourne Comedy Festival: Deadly Funny National Grand Final
Sat April 18, 120 minutes
RMIT Capitol Theatre, 113 Swanston St (opp Town Hall)
Prices: Full $18, Concession $12. Bookings:
www.comedyfestival.com.au/season/2009
Eucalypt Festival
School Holiday Family Fun