Dale Hess Calendar - Dates for your diary

Thursday 18 February – Thursday 3 March: Transition Film Festival. The Transitions Film Festival is visionary program dedicated to spotlighting the complex challenges, cutting-edge ideas, creative innovations and mega-trends that are redefining what it means to be human. We present positive, solutions-focused films and showcase cutting-edge ideas from around the world, along with the creative, academic, governmental, community and business leaders who are creating change locally. http://www.transitionsfilmfestival.com/melbourne-program-2016/

Thursday 18 February, 6.30 pm – 8 pm: Market Forces Campaign Launch. Market Forces believes that the banks, superannuation funds and governments that have custody of our money should use it to protect not damage our environment. We're planning to make this year massive. Massive campaigns, resulting in massive change. We have climate change commitments from banks that need to be turned into concrete action that moves finance out of fossil fuels. We want to turn divestment from coal, oil and gas from a steady stream to an unstoppable torrent. And of course, we have new dirty coal proposals here in Australia and overseas that need to be stopped in their tracks.  Venue: Treasury Room, Imperial Hotel, 2 Bourke St, Melbourne (corner Spring Street). Food provided, drinks at bar prices. Free entry but bookings are essential as places are limited. RSVP here. Market Forces is proud to be an affiliate project of Friends of the Earth Australia and a member of the BankTrack international network, connecting us with passionate campaigners, environmental issue experts and advocates of environmentally sustainable behaviour from the finance sector.  

Get the details and RSVP for our Melbourne campaign launch here. 

Saturday 20 February, 5.02 pm – 7 pm: Peace, Faith and Solving Conflict. Invited speakers: Prof. Gary Bouma, UNESCO and Rev.Victor Kazanjian, Global Director United Religions Initiative. Venue: Cultural Infusion Centre, 49 Vere Street, Collingwood College Theatre (entrance from Campbell Street). Sponsored by Cultural Infusion and United Religions Initiative. Free event. Refreshments provided. Bookings:https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/culture-talk-tickets-21240877035

Wednesday, 24 February, 7.30 pm – 9.30 pm: Syrian Conflict Information Evening. The Amnesty International Bayside Team are hosting an information evening on the current Syrian crisis. Presenting an impartial account of the current internal armed conflict in Syria, as well as information about the settlement process for refugees and asylum seekers. From 7.30 pm we will have three speakers, discussing the current Syrian crisis, intake of refugees and settlement services for refugees and asylum seekers here in Australia. Tim Redfern from Amnesty International Bayside, Alanna Attard from AMES and Panos Massouris from AMES will be speaking. Venue: The Sandy Beach Centre - 2 Sims Street Sandringham. Register here.

Saturday 5 March, 9 am – 11.30 am: Oases Breakfast Conversation: Listening to Indigenous Voices. Dr Robert Hoskin will share insights from his listening to his Kimberley friends relevant to relating with land and community. Together we will explore how listening means a change of heart, if not our change in approach to life and relationships, and discuss how  knowledge of the past might save us from endless repetition in the future. $30/$20 Concession. Main Hall, Habitat Centre for Spirituality, 2 Minona Street, Hawthorn. To book:http://www.oases.edu.au/breakfast/

Monday 11 April; Sunday and Monday, 24 April and 25 April; Sunday 1 May: Ecological Literacy. Ecological literacy was initially used byDavid W. Orr and physicist Fritjof Capra in the 1990s, to understand the Earth as a living system whose well-being was dependent on our thinking in terms of the interdependence of all living systems. In his Web of Life Capra writes of the emergence of a new paradigm challenging the old mechanistic and linear view of the universe and challenging notions of continuous growth and development and with it consumerism and commodification as the “normal”. Ecological literacy is about using this interdependent view of the world to help address the complex dilemmas around the destructive impact that humans have had on the world bringing us to what is often called the Anthropocene… And together we'll draw on the experiences and wisdom of all participants, and the 'natural world' around us. Cost $800. Further details: info@oases.edu.au.

Monday 25 April – Friday 29 April: Living the Peace Testimony with Greg Rolles. Explore the connections between war, militarism, climate change, colonisation of Indigenous peoples, racism – and your own urges to help bring peace. Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, 1063 Lake Road, Bungendore, NSW. Telephone:02 6238 0588

Friday 10 June – Monday 13 June: Indigenous Spirituality and Culture with Karen Kime. Journey into Aboriginal ways of teaching country, kinship and cross-cultural issues in work and community. The workshop will also include examples of other indigenous people. Silver Wattle Quaker Centre, 1063 Lake Road, Bungendore, NSW. Telephone:02 6238 0588

Monday 11 July; Sunday and Monday, 31 July and 1 August; Saturday 10 September: Recreating our Organisations. We live in a world of organisations, educational, familial, work…each with its own culture and processes and each creating its own set of experiences for those who interact with it. Whilst we cannot escape from the reality of organizations in our lives, we can learn to better understand, work with and change (for the better) the organizations in which we play a part…In this unit then our central question addresses the possibilities of recreating or re-imagining the way we organise that would create more soulful, meaningful, value based,  collaborative and generative organisations that are relevant for 21st century sustainable and socially just organisations. Cost $800. Further details: info@oases.edu.au.

Unfinished business: Koori women and the justice system - a report from the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission

Picture from here

Unfinished business: Koori women and the justice system 

is being launched to-day by Jill Gallagher, AO,

CEO oft the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health.  

More Koori women are going to prison in Victoria than ever before, with Koori women now comprising the fastest growing segment of the Victorian prison population, yet appropriate diversionary options have yet to be established to prevent this rise.

A new report, Unfinished business, launched today by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, brings together stories of Koori women from their first contact with the justice system, through imprisonment and after release and makes recommendations about how to address inequity in the system. Twice as many Koori women are now in prison compared to five years ago.

Acting Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner Chris Humphreys said that Unfinished business shows that despite more than 20 years of national and Victorian government policies attempting to respond to the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in prison, there are no culturally appropriate diversionary options in Victoria for Koori women to address the rising incarceration rates.

Unfinished business identified that most Koori women prisoners share a similar profile: they are generally young mothers who have grown up experiencing family violence, sexual abuse and intergenerational trauma. Homelessness before and after prison is also common.

"We know that eight out of ten Koori women in Victorian prisons are mothers. Their incarceration has significant, harmful impacts upon their children. Unless we act now, the number of Koori women at risk of entering prison is likely to grow markedly in the coming years – perpetuating the existing cycle of intergenerational disadvantage and inequality and at great cost to the Victorian community," Mr Humphreys said.

"The Commission is calling for an investment in cultural and gender specific diversionary programs for Koori women – because we know it works. These programs exist for Koori men and non-Koories, but are lacking for Koori women, which offends the right to equality before the law," Mr Humphreys said.

"This report clearly highlights the pressing need for appropriate diversionary options for Koori women, including appropriate residential options. We know that having a safe place that recognises Koori women's cultural needs is vital to reversing the trend of increasing imprisonment. The current lack of pre (and post) sentence residential options is a significant barrier to Koori women staying out of jail."

Mr Humphreys said that if we are going to be serious about tackling the increasing incarceration of Koori women we also need to take into account their unique circumstances.

"Unfinished business shows that Koori women often lack the social support afforded to the general population, while being at higher risk of family violence, mental or cognitive impairments, homelessness and poverty. All of these factors drive contact with the criminal justice system.

"The increasing rate of Koori women entering prison comes at an enormous social and economic cost: to the women involved, to their children, to their communities and to the Victorian public.

"It has been very well understood for some time that Koori women face unique challenges in the justice system but despite this, there has not been sufficient focus on prevention and diversion for this group when compared to men," Mr Humphreys said.

"With this report, the Commission is calling for a new approach to keeping Koori women out of prison, and one that recognises that imposing programs designed for men and for non-Koori women on Koori women are missing the mark," Mr Humphreys said.

"This research also looks at the ongoing impact of a mother's imprisonment on her children, family and community, which has largely been absent from the policy discussion," Mr Humphreys said.

"The time is now right to fix a system that is broken by investing in gender and culturally appropriate diversionary services for Koori women," Mr Humphreys said.

Australia's First Nations Political Party announces its candidates for Northern Territory seats in the 2013 Federal Election

 

Australia’s First Nations Political Party 

proudly announces the pre-selection of two candidates 

in the upcoming Northern Territory elections

for the Parliament of Australia

Rosalie Kunoth Monks OAM for the Senate.

Kenneth Lechleitner for the seat of Lingiari in the House of Representatives

Both of these candidates are excellent representatives of the party’s philosophies of inclusiveness and justice for all Territorians. Social justice and a safeguarding of all cultures through mutual respect underpin all our policies.

Rosalie is a well known leader and Territory trailblazer. She was the star of Jedda and has been a tireless campaigner throughout her life for rights and recognition.

Kenneth is a family man who places family values first as a cross cultural consultant and accredited interpreter, being a fluent speaker of Anmatjere, Western Aranda and Warlpiri.

Rosalie Kunoth Monks adds “that it is about working together with compassion to achieve equal rights for everyone.” 

It’s time to give a voice to all Territorians!

Vote 1 Rosalie Kunoth Monks 

for the Senate

Vote 1 Ken Lechleitner 

for the seat of Lingiari.

We are inclusive through our culture 

and together we can create a new culture 

for all Australians to become the new tribal voice.

NAIDOC Week Events in Ballarat - 2013

Close the Gap Day - Thursday 20 March 2013 : Rachel Siewert

Rachel Siewerts's Adjournment Address in the Senate yesterday to mark Close the Gap Day - Thursday 21 March 2013.

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Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thursday, 21 March—in other words, the day after tomorrow—is National Close the Gap Day. I would like to acknowledge all of those who have supported and participated in this event, which will happen around the country. However, the evidence is clear that there are still significant differences in health, education, employment and social outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanderpeople and other Australians. National Close the Gap Day is an important opportunity to promote awareness of these issues and take collaborative action towards improving the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I note also that Close the Gap Day is a community owned initiative, whereas Closing the Gap is the government's program for addressing these issues. It may sound pedantic, but it is important to point out the difference between the two.

The Shadow report 2013: on Australian governments' progress towards closing the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians (see below to read and/or download the report) outlines some progress in some areas, such as Indigenous child health. Although there has been some progress, unfortunately there is some plateauing in mortality rates in children under the age of five. There has been some progress in reducing the rates of smoking during pregnancy and increased attendance at antenatal care, at least once during a mother's first trimester. Early data indicates that the tackling Indigenous smoking and Indigenous Chronic Disease package initiatives are showing signs of being beneficial for adult health and life expectancy in the Indigenous population, which is very promising.

However, National Close the Gap Day serves as a reminder that there is still a very long way to go to close the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians. Most Australian jurisdictions will not meet the Council of Australian Governments' target to achieve equality in life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Australia by 2030. There has been an increasing trend of babies of low birth weight born to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers. We know low birth weight is associated with later health problems, as well as a greater risk of mortality before the age of five. Funding cuts such as those reported in some states, such as New South Wales and Queensland, will have a potential detrimental effect on any efforts working towards closing the gap. There is also a need for further funding for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan, which is funded until June this year, but as yet there has been no commitment of funds for the next five-year plan. This is absolutely essential.

One of the issues I have mentioned in this place before, and I believe it is absolutely essential if we are going to close the gap in Aboriginal health expectancy and life outcomes, is to ensure that we deal with otitis media, an ear infection characterised by fluid build-up in the middle ear. Unfortunately, if it is left untreated it results in hearing loss. A lot of work is going on in how to deal with combatting otitis media. I very strongly support that work and the funding for that work, but unfortunately this disease strikes so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly when they are babies. Babies as young as three months old can get otitis media. In some communities, up to 90 per cent of babies are affected by otitis media. So not only do we need to put in the effort to treat and eradicate this disease; we need to put in the funding resources to address the issues of hearing loss and hearing impairment for young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

If a child starting their first day at school cannot hear because of hearing impairment, they will not be able to participate in class. Evidence shows that, if children are alienated from day one in the classroom, they will not engage in schooling and will be unable to meet education standards. We also know that hearing loss has been associated with a number of people in juvenile detention and in adult prisons. The evidence is there that this problem can have a devastating impact on communities. So as well as funding the health plan we need to put renewed emphasis on early literacy and also on programs to address hearing loss.

Invasion Day, Melbourne - 26 January 2013

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Invasion Day rally & march

Saturday, January 26, 9am. 

Assemble 186 Gertrude St, Fitzroy. 

'It's like expecting the Jewish people to celebrate and embrace what the Nazis did in Germany against the Jewish people.' Aunty Isabel Coe. 

January 26, commonly known as 'Australia day' is sold as a day to celebrate the 'lucky country' the date chosen to commemorate the arrival of the First Fleet, the 'discovery' of the Great Southern Land. This date is more appropriately known to most First Nations people as Survival or Invasion day.

It is also a day of mourning, we mourn the loss of land, culture, languages, we mourn the loss of freedom and abundance, and we mourn for the people who have, and continue to suffer under this disconnected, insatiable, violent and destructive imposed capitalist system. 

Australia remains without a treaty, consent or compensation, the Stolen Generation, stolen wages, dispossession, racism, assimilation, land theft continue. 

This is a call to all people of this land to step forward and right the wrongs together and build some momentum against the out-of-control machine that threatens our very existence as the oldest living culture in the world.

From Green Left Weekly

We're not getting the real deal - First Nations recognition in the Australian Constitution - just another Act of Parliament.

Hello all, The Government announced today plans to introduce an Act of Recognition into the Australian Parliament before the end of the year, as an interim measure to holding a referendum on Constitutional Recognition. This means that a referendum will not go ahead by the next election, as was the original commitment. The ‘Act of Recognition’ would have a two-year sunset clause, in the expectation that a referendum will be put by the next government, irrespective of who wins (see The Age and Australian articles below). RecVic’s initial response to this announcement, largely consistent with Reconciliation Australia and ANTaR responses, is: We welcome today’s commitment to legislate an Act of Recognition as a step on the road to Constitutional Recognition We await further detail about the proposed Act of Recognition, but hope that it reflects all elements of the Expert Panel’s package, including the inclusion of a prohibition on racial discrimination.  We urge the Parliament to provide a firm and bi-partisan commitment on the timing of a referendum. What we’ve learnt from the ’67 referendum campaigners is it took 10 years to reach out to the majority of Australians to touch their hearts and minds. We don’t expect it to take that long but the research conducted by You Me Unity suggests that awareness isn’t high enough to hold a successful referendum yet. We support the Expert Panel’s advice that careful consideration of the timing of a referendum on this issue is crucial to ensure the best chance of success. We are happy that the Government, Opposition, Greens and Independents are talking to one another because for a referendum to be successful we need the support of the whole Parliament, along with states and territories and the Australian people. We must continue our efforts to engage more people in the conversation. Building up recognition of the histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples at the LOCAL level will create a foundation for achieving recognition at the national level. PM plan for indigenous recognition Michael Gordon Published: September 20, 2012 - 3:00AM THE Gillard government has embraced a new strategy to recognise the ''unique and special place'' of indigenous Australians after conceding that a referendum proposing constitutional change could fail if it is put at or before next year's election. It now plans to legislate an ''act of recognition'' before Parliament rises this year in the hope that it will build momentum for constitutional recognition of indigenous language and culture in the next two years. The legislation will have a two-year sunset clause in the expectation that a referendum will be put by the next government, irrespective of who wins. The retreat is likely to be endorsed by indigenous leaders who feared a referendum campaign would be overwhelmed by the political contest between Labor and the Coalition in the lead-up to the election due this time next year. ''The last thing you would want is for this to fail,'' Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin told The Age last night. The Prime Minister agreed to the goal of a referendum before or at the next election in separate minority government agreements with the Greens and with independent MP Rob Oakeshott after the 2010 election. But, in a report to the government late last year, a 22-member expert panel urged caution on the timing of the referendum, saying a failure to have it passed would result in ''confusion about the nation's values, commitment to racial non-discrimination and sense of national identity''. Ms Macklin said the decision to hold back followed strong advice from indigenous leaders that there was not yet sufficient awareness or support to ensure the success of a referendum, which needs to be passed by a majority of votes and a majority of states. A preliminary report prepared by Reconciliation Australia found that while there was strong awareness among indigenous Australians, only 39 per cent of the non-indigenous community had heard about the proposed referendum. Ms Macklin said she had held preliminary discussions with the opposition, Greens and independents on the planned legislation and would continue to work with all parties to develop the legislation. ''We are committed to recognising indigenous people in Australia's constitution and want meaningful reform that reflects the hopes and aspirations of indigenous people.'' The panel proposed changes to the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and languages, prohibit racial discrimination and remove the last vestiges of racism in the nation's founding document. Co-chairman of the expert panel, Patrick Dodson, said the change in strategy made sense. ''There should be a clear distinction between the election and the need for statesmanlike behaviour to resolve a 200-year problem - the lack of recognition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.'' For extended article: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/pm-plan-for-indigenous-recognition-20120919-2672z.html You can also vote in today’s Age Poll at http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/pm-plan-for-indigenous-recognition-20120919-2672z.html Julia Gillard switch on first peoples BY:PATRICIA KARVELAS   From:The Australian  September 20, 2012 12:00AM THE referendum to acknowledge indigenous Australians has been shelved for at least three years amid fears the failure to build community support before the deadline of the next election would see it defeated. The Gillard government will instead ask parliament to pass an "Act of Recognition" to acknowledge "the unique and special place of our first peoples" as an "interim" measure until there is enough support for a constitutional change. Julia Gillard has talked to Tony Abbott and the Greens about Labor's intention to introduce the symbolic act in a formal admission that a referendum would fail if it were put to a vote next year as planned. As part of Labor's 2010 power-sharing agreement with the Greens and independents, Labor agreed to hold a referendum on indigenous constitutional recognition before or at the 2013 election. The Greens are understood to be disappointed at the delay, but acknowledge it is necessary. It is understood all parties are prepared to follow Labor's path towards an act. They want the act passed by the end of the year. Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin said a sunset clause on the act would force the parliament not to neglect the issue. "We have a sunset clause in the bill of say two or three years so that the next parliament really has to look at it and make sure that we maintain the community awareness and continue to have a discussion for the need for constitutional change, not just in the area of recognition but on the other matters the expert panel raised," she said. "Whoever is in charge in the next parliament will have to either decide to continue it or the parliament will need to discuss it." The government will today reveal that the Act of Recognition will be worded to reflect as closely as possible the recommendations of the expert panel the government had develop options for constitutional change. In January, the panel recommended that the Constitution be altered to remove racist sections Continued on Page 4 and create power for the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the protection of language and culture. It also called for a clause against racial discrimination. The panel wanted the constitution changed to empower the government to make laws for the "advancement" of indigenous Australians. The government is keeping an open mind on the introduction of a specific non-discrimination clause in the Constitution arguing it is too early to decide whether it would gain support at an election. And instead of a clause for the "advancement" of indigenous Australians they prefer the Constitution to be changed to acknowledge that laws can be made to "close the gap". The recommended insertion of a clause to prohibit racial discrimination was described by Tony Abbott as a "single-issue bill of rights". Ms Macklin said a preliminary report prepared for the government by Reconciliation Australia found only 39 per cent of the non-indigenous community had heard about a proposed referendum. "The Australian government agrees with the findings of the expert panel that it is important a referendum is held at a time when it has the most chance of success," she said. Opposition legal affairs spokesman George Brandis said the vote should not be held under Julia Gillard, arguing that the Prime Minister's advocacy would ensure defeat of a referendum. The RecVic Team

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day on August 4 - celebrate!

In Brisbane on Saturday August 4?

The Reconciliation Action Project

at

Peakcare Queensland 

is organising a marvellous day out

as part of celebrating

National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day.

This year it is a HUGE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day to celebrate the fun of being a child. Every one within cooee of Roma Street Parklands close to Roma Street train station and bus stops will be heading for a day with plenty of free activities, food and friends. We hope you will all join the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak and all the organisations registered to bring their sense of fun to have a great day. Enter through Gate 5 - top of Albert Street.

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Buy for justice, rights and respect: ANTAR asks us to promote a just and equitable Australia

WELCOME! ANTaR’s Rights Stuff merchandise program works to generate economic, cultural and social benefit for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by offering a range of vibrant and thoughtful products to  Australia and the world. In doing so, ANTaR actively promotes a more just and equitable Australia. The sale of selected ANTaR products cross-subsidises community enterprises and fledgling Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses. Any profit that is generated through the Rights Stuff  program is reinvested to advance our mission to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Help support this initiative by shopping  online with ANTaR! KIDS BOOK SALE NOW ON! Set of Three Aunty Wendy Books Three fun stories by Aunty Wendy -  great for younger readers. Includes Kangaroo Rock, Tucker, and Insects. Ages 3-6 $36 for set of 3 or $13 each! WATERLILIES Diane Lucas and Colwyn Campbell I live close to a billabong. When the rains stop, waterlilies grow ... I use a dilly bag to collect lilies and yams. A young boy learns how to collect the edible seeds of lilies and how to prepare bush food. Ages 5+ Was $20 Now $15! BRUMBIES IN THE NIGHT Diane Lucas This new collaboration between author Diane Lucas (Walking with the Seasons in Kakadu, Waterlilies), illustrator Colwyn Campbell (Waterlilies) and graphic designer Wilfred Russell-Smith, takes young readers through an enchanting moonlit landscape with one boy and his beloved brumbies. Ages 6 -10 Was $16.95 Now $12 WHY I LOVE AUSTRALIA Bronwyn Bancroft Bronwyn’s book tells of her love of Australia – the sunburnt country. From the the coast to the outback, from cities to the plains, from dramatic gorges to rugged alpine peaks, from deserts to rainforests … Australia is a continent of many and varied landscapes. Was $24.95 Now $15 PLUS! The last of our Jukurrpa 2012 Hard Cover Diaries  reduced below cost price!          The Institute for Aboriginal Development (IAD) is controlled by and for Aboriginal people, and supports Aboriginal self-determination through its unique and innovative education and training, language and culture, research and publishing programs. The diary contains 26 colour reproductions of Central Australian art from Desert-affiliated art centres, plus cover. Flaps back and front, including year at-a-glance chart. Two internal perforated card pull-out bookmarks, colour regional map showing geographical origins of each artwork Published by IAD Press Now $15 SUPPORT OUR MOVEMENT FOR CHANGE ANTaR is working for justice, rights and respect for Australia's First Peoples bycampaigning to remove racial discrimination and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples in our Constitution. Contribute to our campaign for justice, rights and respect for Australia's First Peoples.