NSWRC

e-Newsletter / August 2010

Dear Reconciliationist,

It's almost hard to believe but it's August, complete with a Federal election and International Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples. The NSWRC is currently excited about completing a publication containing interviews and stories from various people working in or whom are passionate about Indigenous Affairs. Some of the people we've chatted to include artist Adam Hill, Jack Manning Bancroft (AIME), Prof. Larissa Behrendt, and Tim Levinson (Urthboy). We're hoping to launch the book at the begining of November, but there'll be more on that in the coming weeks.

NSWRC would also like congratulate all winners at this years National NAIDOC Awards, and especially the two New South Welsh winners. Auntie Ali Golding is a Bripi woman who grew up on a Mission at Taree. She is a recognised grassroots Indigenous leader who has made contributions to several national and international forums. Lester Bostock is from Bundjalung country who, although leaving school unable to read or write at 13 would go on to become a teacher. Lester is regarded as a pioneer of Indigneous media and a spokesperson for Indigenous disability. Congratulations to Lester and Ali, two unsung heroes.

In this newsletter, we let you know how one Local Reconciliation Group celebrated NAIDOC Week, we send a big thank you to out-going Indigenous Co-Chair Renee Williamson, we find out more about the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, and hear from a volunteer about how he see's the 'Tony and Julia Show' aka the Election. We would love to hear what you have to say either about the election or other current issues whether national or in your local community. Write to us at nswrc@nswreconciliation.org.au or continue conversations on facebook and twitter.

In unity

NSW Reconciliation Council team!

NAIDOC Week

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate Indigenous culture and the achievements of Aboriginal people. Many Local Reconciliation Groups marked NAIDOC Week last month by holding their own events all around the State.

The North Illawarra Reconciliation & Treaty Group (NIRTG) hosted a very successful NAIDOC Week Social Evening. The program for the evening included a tribute to the late Waratah (Rosemarie) Gillespie, and a screening of Waratah’s short film “Witness to Invasion” (filmed in 2003 while she was acting as a human shield and eyewitness to the war in Iraq).

NIRTG presented “Un-sung Heroes” Elders Awards to four people in recognition of their important roles in community leadership and/or their contribution to improving relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities and for assisting the on-going reconciliation process within the northern Illawarra.

The NAIDOC 2010 Elders Awards were given to Uncle Richard Archibald, Sharralyn Robinson, Bruce Reyburn, and Jill Walker.

Thank you Renee

The NSWRC would like to extend the warmest of warm thank you's to outgoing Indigenous Co-Chair Renee Williamson. Renee has decided to focus on her family and completing her studies, we wish her the best of luck.

Renee has served the Council in an outstanding manner for a long time now. Her contribution to the Reconciliation movement is clear and we will officially recognise the support and leadership she has given to this organisation in the upcoming September Congress meeting. Thanks Renee!

National Congress

Since the collapse of ATSIC under the Howard Government, Australia has been the only developed nation without a representative body for it's Indigenous people. This is set to change with the establishment of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples.

Their vision? "To be a national leader and advocate for recognising the status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Nation peoples."

NITRG Celebrate NAIDOC Week

The National Congress of Australia's First People

NSWRC Co Chair Announcement

Are you our friend on facebook?

T shirts
NSWRC has a range of quality original T's in Mens, Womens and Children sizes. Kyle from Channel [V] has got one, so it's cool right?

Nominating Indigenous Issues in this Election
"The contrast between the prominence of Indigenous Affairs policies during the current federal election campaign and the last could not be any starker. In 2007 the Coalition sought to save the children of the NT with their Northern Territory Emergency Response. They enjoyed full support from Labor which on the face of it, despite the absurdity of the legislation itself, suggested a new era or partnership in Indigenous Affairs policy formation."

Here from a NSWRC volunteer and his thoughts about the upcomming election.

Useful Links
There's a few websites you should definitely check out. First up is a brand new site
showmetheway.org.au
which provides a mentoring program that supports Aboriginal students.

Also, You and Me is a fantastic film about Reconciliation, which was shot in Blue Mountains just outside Sydney.

Join the Movement and Become a Member now! Donate
The NSW Reconciliation Council is the peak body for reconciliation in NSW. We are an independent, non-government, not for profit organisation. Our office is currently co-located with Tranby Aboriginal Co-operative College in Sydney.

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