| The Howard Government could apologise. so what?
empty words from an empty man.
As he say's, he didn't do anything wrong.
- He never separated a mother from her child.
- He never drove a bulldozer over someone's house.
- He never closed a hospital door on someone
- or beat a man to death in prison.
However, these things happened and went "uncorrected" under his rule.
When will this man stop.
He won't.
And SORRY just doesn't measure up (not to this white lady, anyhows).
Justice is needed.
Honesty is needed.
He does not deliver either with his empty bribes and his complete and
absolute bullshit!
Let's get Australia back on track.
VOTE THIS MAN OUT OF POWER! | comments: Leave a comment   |
| the PM and Aboriginal Australia-a Timeline
source:CRIKEY.com.au
The PM and Aboriginal Australia -- a timeline
FRIDAY, 12 OCTOBER 2007
Editor of The National Indigenous Times Chris Graham writes:
John Howard's brush with Aboriginal Australia -- a timeline:
March 1996: In John Howard's first act as prime minister, he calls a press conference and announces his intention to appoint an administrator to take over the powers and functions of the ATSIC board. It requires a change in the Act, but is blocked in the Senate.
April 1996: Howard announces he will appoint a special auditor to investigate allegations of widespread fraud within organisations funded by ATSIC. The special auditor finds no such widespread fraud, but the Federal Court soon thereafter deems the appointment of the special auditor illegal.
May 1996: In his first budget as Prime Minister, Howard announces a cut of $470 million from the ATSIC budget, forcing ATSIC to close a raft of community and youth support programs, including women's centres.
May 1997: John Howard'sreleases hisWik 10-Point Plan.
May 1997: At the Reconciliation Convention in Melbourne, Howard bangs the lectern and shouts at the audience as heclaims symbolism will deliver nothing, and unofficially launches the policy of 'practical reconciliation'. He also defends his 'Wik 10 point plan' which proposes to amend the Native Title Act (which had come out of the Mabo victory). The plan was passed by parliament, but decried by the United Nations and the international community, which labelled it racist. Members of the audience famously turn their backs on Howard as he speaks.
4th September 1997: John Howard on The 7.30 Reportalongside a map of Australia with sections coloured brown, "What has happened with Native title is that the pendulum has swung too far in one direction, particularly after the Wik decision. What I have done with this legislation is bring it back to the middle. Let me just show your viewers that this shows 78 per cent of the landmass of Australia coloured brown on this map. Now, the Labor Party and the Democrats are effectively saying that the Aboriginal people of Australia should have the potential right of veto over further development of 78 per cent of the landmass of Australia."
August 1999: Howard officially refuses a national apology for members of the Stolen Generations, with parliament instead issuing a statement of sincere and deep regret.
October 1999: John Howard on the importance of voting yes to the preamble for reconciliation, "A preamble is a broad statement of values and principles which aim to reflect the spirit, traditions and sentiment which underpin our commitment to the Constitution. It would also provide Australians with an opportunity to highlight the aspirations we share as we enter the second century of our nationhood.
The great value of the preamble is that it can unite republicans and anti-republicans behind commonly held Australian values. It is not conditional on whether the republic is supported or rejected. It can also make a contribution to the reconciliation process which is one of the most important issues we face as a nation as we enter the new century. The preamble honours "Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders, the nations first people, for their deep kinship with their lands and for their ancient and continuing cultures which enrich the life of our country".
28th May 2000: Howard refuses to attend the Bridge Walks for reconciliation.
29th May 2000: John Howard as quoted on The 7.30 Report: "I speak for the entire government on this and it's a matter that's been discussed at great length. We don't think it's appropriate for the current generation of Australians to apologise for the injustices committed by past generations."
November 2002: The Howard government announces a review into ATSIC. The review, which cost over $2 million, recommends reform of the body, and a strengthening of the regional council structure and the election of local officials. Howard proposes abolition instead.
October 2004: Howard formally dumps 'reconciliation' from the government agenda, axing the 'Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Reconciliation' portfolio during a a post-election cabinet reshuffle.
June 2005: Howard abolishes the democratically-elected ATSIC. He replaces it with a group of hand-picked Aboriginal 'advisers' (the National Indigenous Council). One of the first acts of the NIC is to recommend the compulsory acquisition of Aboriginal land in the Northern Territory.
May 2006: During his visit to Canada, Howard successfully lobbies new conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper to reverse Canada's support for the UN's Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
September 2006: John Howard reacts to the Native Title Noongar win in Perth, saying the federal court decision was one of "considerable concern", with the government falsely claiming a day later that even beaches in Sydney could be under threat.
June 2007: Howard launches his 'emergency intervention' into the Northern Territory in response to the Little Children are Sacred report.
August 2007: Six weeks after the announcement the Northern Territory Emergency Response Act is passed, giving the Government power to acquire Aboriginal land forfive years and hold back 50% of all welfare payments for necessary items. The long standing permit system, enacted as part of the 1976 Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory) is scrapped. The legislation includes exemptions from the Racial Discrimination Act.
September 2007: Howard orders his delegates at the UN to vote against the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
11 October 2007: Howard delivers a speech to The Sydney Institute in which he introduces "new reconciliation" and a promise to amend the preamble to the Constitution to acknowledge Indigenous Australians should he be returned to Government at the looming election.
Feel free to distribute
PEACE & GOD BLESS
Kirky a Koori from Parkes in occupied Oz.
Wife, mum, nan, sista, aunt, cuz & friend 2 all.
http://kirkys-world.tripod.com
http://www.myspace.com/mrslynwelshkirk
http://www.kirkyskraftsandchitchat.bigblog.com.au
*Alwayz Waz & Alwayz Will B*
*ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER LAND*
1 stick can B broken ~ a handfull 2gether can't B broken ~ In Solidarity iz Strength. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| i was drawn to Canberra for Sovereignty Day, January 26, 2006 i could not afford to go, so i borrowed money to get there…
i had to go.
i did not know why. i left with monumental feelings of pain, loss and sorrow and my tears still flow freely and unpredictably. there is an urgency within and without… i must be on the road again soon… i simply MUST.
and now… a call… DAY OF MOURNING FOR ALLABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODYThis is a call to all who have lost loved ones as Aboriginal Deaths in Custody throughout the country
(and to their supporters) to come together in unity with family, friends and the Redfern Community
at a “Day of Mourning” on Wednesday, 14th Feb., 2007, to mark the 3rd Anniversary of the death of
17 year old Kamilaroi boy, T.J.Hickey, arising from the Hollingsworth chase in Redfern, N.S.W. The rally will begin at the fence at the rear of Turonga Tower Units in Phillip St. Redfern at 10am
(Koori time) for 10.30am start. where there will be an open mike to allow family & community to have their say with a commemorative silence before marching to the old police station in Turner St. and the new police station in Redfern St. We will then head back to The Block for a community BBQ. This Day of Mourning is for ALL Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and is also a chance to show our solidarity with the Doomadgee family and the Palm Island community. STOP THE DEATHS IN POLICE CUSTODYENOUGH IS ENOUGH – JUSTICE FOR ALL | | comments: Leave a comment |
| and if it appears appropriate, i think i would like to speak a | | comments: Leave a comment |
| DAY OF MOURNING FOR ALLABORIGINAL DEATHS IN CUSTODYThis is a call to all who have lost loved ones as Aboriginal Deaths in Custody throughout the country (and to their supporters) to come together in unity with family, friends and the Redfern Community at a “Day of Mourning” on Wednesday, 14th Feb., 2007, to mark the 3rd Anniversary of the death of 17 year old Kamilaroi boy, T.J.Hickey, arising from the Hollingsworth chase in Redfern, N.S.W. The rally will begin at the fence at the rear of Turonga Tower Units in Phillip St. Redfern at 10am (Koori time) for 10.30am start. where there will be an open mike to allow family & community to have their say with a commemorative silence before marching to the old police station in Turner St. and the new police station in Redfern St. We will then head back to The Block for a community BBQ. This Day of Mourning is for ALL Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and is also a chance to show our solidarity with the Doomadgee family and the Palm Island community. STOP THE DEATHS IN POLICE CUSTODY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH – JUSTICE FOR ALL | | comments: Leave a comment |
| | Subject: | Done! | | Time: | 02:21 pm |
|
| I am a non smoker
:-)
i choose to stay a non smoker. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| My family and I head out on Sunday, from central Queensland to Canberra. Next week we will be taking a message for Land Rights,
and messages from Climate Change Action (sustainable energy supplies) to the streets of Sydney.
“(Sign the Land Rights Petition)”http://www.globalclimatechangeaction.org/node/18
(Sign the Climate Change Action online petition) We will be collecting comments from the public on Ziggy’s Nuke “promotional propoganda”. Add your comments online From the streets of Sydney we will be heading to Canberra on Friday 26th. We will be accepting the Tent Embassy’s kind invitation and will be joining many others in celebrating the first aniversary of “Sovereignty Day”. My daughter Natalie (18), my son Scott (13) and I, hope to present your voices to our Prime Minister, Mr John Howard. IN SOLIDARITY! | | comments: 4 comments or Leave a comment |
| My family and I head out on Sunday, from central Queensland to Canberra. Next week we will be taking our Climate Change Action message for sustainable energy supplies to the streets of Sydney. w/ (Sign the online petition) We will be w/ collecting comments from the public on Ziggy’s Nuke promotional propoganda. From the streets of Sydney we will be heading to Canberra on Friday 26th, to join up with others at the Tent Embassy to join in the celebratations of the first aniversary of “Sovereignty Day”. I will present the collected comments to John Howard in the hope of helping him to realise that WE, THE TAXPAYERS, do not want an expansion of the nuclear industry. IN SOLIDARITY! | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Hiya Members :-) Welcome and thanks for joining. I founded this group to promote a climate change petition which was created by the original Climate Change Action Group http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/ClimateChangeAction/ formed in November 2005 to share information and promote the walk for warming across the globe.
As we all know, the walk for warming has helped in a huge way to force our political leaders to at least pay some “lip service” to this global issue… which threatens the future of our planet.
While creating the petition on the Petition Site i stumbled across the Care2 communities, so i founded this group, though i have been too busy with the original group (and other issues) to promote this group.
If members here would like to join the original group (at Yahoo), they would be most welcome. New membership requires approval and posts are moderated for a short period of time.
Climate change is now getting mainstream media attention, people of the globe are worried. The more they learn the more they are concerned about it. Our political representatives will soon have no choice but to bow down to public pressure and DO THE RIGHT THING WITH OUR TAXES!
There are currently ~65 active members in the original Climate Change Action Group (URL above), and there is MOUNTAINS of information stored in the files section, the discussions, which have been ongoing for over a year, are lively and informative.
A great bunch of very active people from right across the globe.
The goal is 100,000 signatures and we have just over 700 to date.
Unfortunately i simply do not have time to participate in all the groups here at Care2, there are not enough hours in the day. I also do not get time to adequately moderate this Care2, when i signed in today for the first time in weeks, there was an event waiting to be approved (by Greenpeace). I have no idea how long this action has been put on hold due to my lack of time.
If anyone would like to step up or take over, or help… please email me asap. For actions to be put on hold (due to my lack of time) is simply not good enough.
anne@globalclimatechangeaction.org
oh…. almost forgot… check out our interactive website (under construction)...
http://globalclimatechangeaction.org
I would be delighted if members of this group would like to help add to the section “Ways Forward”. I hope that a “5 year Strategic Plan on the mitigation of global climate change” could be created there.
The petition can be located here: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/737214963
Please sign it and promote it throughout your networks… if you are from an organization that would consider endorsing the words, please table the petition for endorsement at your next meeting.
There are requests for endorsement of the words of the petition pending to the Greens (Australia), Socialist Alliance (Australia) and Friends of the Earth (UK). I will be approaching further groups (and political parties) for endorsement in coming weeks.
Warmest regards
Anne
(founder and moderator)
Care2 Climate Change Action Group
Yahoo Climate Change Action Group
http://globalclimatechangeaction.org
anne@globalclimatechangeaction.org | | comments: Leave a comment |
| my wandering mind has many doors to follow...
and many roads to take...
as does climate change mitigation.
i understand that wind and solar power (for homes and business in rural areas can be utilised for adequate generation, and wave and tidal can be utilised (for homes and businesses) in coastal areas. and i understand that there are remote areas in australia where geothermal energy can be produced locally (where viable) for large generation of power supplies.
i also understand that power from homes and businesses can be fed back intot he grid, rather than stored on site, to supplement other users (as "REAL" green energy). i also understand that majour transportation needs could be met with public transport systems that run on natural gas, ethanol mixes, solar hybrids (without thinking about rail).
i also understand that many people (particularly in cities) who LIKE to bike when there is safe access...
i also understand that the average "Joe" is actually prepared to turn off unnecessary electricals and change to energy saving bulbs.
so.... it is my understanding that the people are ready for change but our elected government can't be bothered!
they do not even want to contemplate the idea that that sustainable energy supplies are possible!
I would like to see a plan formulated for the implementation of sustainable energy systems, a strategic plan... all neatly laid out for them.
if they are too lazy to do it themselves, i will start work on it myself...
i will need a "panel of experts"...
.....
looks under 'puter....
hrm...
? | | comments: Leave a comment |
| i had the opportunity, a while ago, to speak with a lady.
she told me of how she had grown up on a government provided diet of nothing more than flour and sugar.
while her mother cleaned beds of infectious patients without pay.
and how the closest thing she knew to "fruit" were onions, which were munched upon with relish when given the opportunity.
she has been quite ill.
and looks a lot older than her tender years.
she is very wise.
and i find her very beautiful.
i feel very honoured to have known her.
she is a warrior woman, and her voice carries through my soul.
she SCREAMS
!!!!!!!!"Mother Fuckers"!!!!!!!!!!
as the last tree falls.
and my tears flow with her cry. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| I wish to help in the creation of a new civilisation.
A just and fair civilisation. One that is based on sharing resources, caring for your neighbours, keeping safe those that are vulnerable, and ensuring that protection is afforded to respecting the wisdom and beauty that surrounds us on this our greatest gift… our Garden of Eden.
---
note from a friend:
wow
Hey i just found this:
“Make Poverty History first by Getting Rid of the Greens”
http://www.smh.com.au/news/opinion/make-poverty-history-first-by-getting-rid-of-the-greens/2006/11/18/1163266827937.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
on the herald..
your thoughts?
---
My thoughts:
Hiya buddie :-)
Nice to hear from you and thanks for giving me the golden opportunity to respond to this article.
Firstly, I am no longer a member of the Greens Political Party, so I have no “need” to “defend” them.
In the next election, I will choose to vote for the Greens or for a political party who’s policies are as close to the Greens Party as possible, eg, Socialist Alliance or Democrats.
Otherwise, I will probably choose not to mark my ballot paper. I will ensure that my preferences do not flow on to either the Australian Labor Party or to the Liberal Party.
I will not vote for an Independent unless that Independent declares that all of his or her preferences go to the Greens Party or to a political party that has “like” policies (such as the Socialist Alliance/Democrats).
I will not vote for the Australian Labour Party due to
. their fence sitting nuclear stand.
. their support for continued mining of uranium.
. their support for the expansion of Lucas Height Nuclear facilities.
. their support for bad infrastrutures in Qld (more dams and more freeways).
. their lack of accountability in their/our police force.
. their lack of accountability in their/our health industry.
. their fence sitting on the war with Iraq.
. their support for invasion(s) of other nations, without provocation or treat to our soils.
. their lack of accountability for their “cock ups”.
I will not vote for the Liberal Party due to their support for Bush in his insane war against humanity and this planet.
And due to;
. their blatant abuse of human rights (Indigenous/Asylum Seekers).
. their inaction on the fate of one of our citizens being held against the laws of the Geneva Convention (Terry Hicks).
. their push further into an unsustainable, poisonous and climate “worsening” energy future, when the technology EXISTS to give the people CLEAN AND SUSTAINABLE energy supplies NOW!
. their lack of accountability for their “cock ups”.
. their arrogance and their bulls#!t.
The Australian Greens Political Party Policies can be located here: http://greens.org.au/policies/
They are well worthy of investigation if you want to really understand the “nuts and bolts” of this party.
In my opinion they are sound policies.
These policies have been formed by “grass roots” (members) input. The policies CAN BE amended at National Council by “grass roots” input.
“Grass roots” meaning input via local branch/state meetings and submissions.
I note in this article that even though the title mentions “the Greens”, it goes on to mention the organizations of “Greenpeace” and “The World Wildlife Fund”.
As far as I am aware, neither of these organizations are affiliated in any way to the Greens Political Party.
Therefore, “the Greens Political Party” has nothing to do with the two situations mentioned in this article, I wonder if this is the case for issues raised throughout the entire movie?
Unfortunately, I have not yet seen the movie. I am sure it will get great billing times and screen here soon (for a lengthy period during holiday times)... unlike Al Gores’ movie (as far as I know, “An Inconvenient Truth” has not yet been shown locally); or the Mike Moores’ earlier movie F 9/11, which had VERY limited screenings and was shown for a very brief period of time and then only due to pressure put onto the local theatre (by myself and other members of the general public).
Movie theatre censorship is very blatant here.
My thoughts on “Mainstream Media”;
Their “free public information” articles are controlled by their sponsors. If they publish something detrimental to their multi-national sponsors (who pay their wages), their advertising $$$$ can very easily “dry up”.
Everyone needs $$$$ to survive in our “civilization”.
To be a part of our current “civilization” we must have $$$$ to survive.
If we happen to live in a little cold valley where potatoes are the only thing that grows, and we are forced to use outside toilets in freezing conditions, i would strongly think that any form of industry (particularly one that promises to fix past mistakes) would be gladly welcomed!
In another mind frame and still thinking about this situation, though, “in a fair and just society”...
... Things tend to change.
For starters, if these people WISH to have mining on their lands, why then can they simply not sell the resource rights OUTRIGHT (at a fair price) to the company that wishes to exploit them? They then have the lump sum of money to do with as they wish – with funding in place to ensure effective environmental protections for their children’s futures.
Otherwise, why can’t the villagers who reside on the land with the resources become the major shareholders in all profits made by the developer/exploiter?
Or, shall things simply remain the way they always have been? The people will forego the millions of dollars that lay under their feet; and 1,000 willing, enthusiastic and energetic (short term) slaves will be created.
Eventually, the peoples resources are used up and gone, then the industry packs up and moves on, with the profits taken for their shareholders in other continents…
... leaving behind unemployment and broken loos!
Attaining wealth comes at the cost of removing wealth from another.
The Greens are ALL about empowering the voices of the people in towns, suburbs and cities – by giving THEM the RIGHT to make informed decisions for themselves and their family’s futures.
Rather than decisions being made for them, against their wishes and then forced onto them by their elected leaders. Elected leaders who’s only real “responsibility” for success is to ensure short term economic gains (by any means necessary), for their corporate sponsors… without accountability for the consequences of their actions’ long term effects.
We need political representatives who empower their people!
We need political representatives who will ensure that OUR TAXES give us adequate (sustainable, clean) power supplies!
We need political representatives who will provide us with adequate reliable public transportation systems!
We need political representatives who will ensure we have adequate food supplies!
We need political representatives who will ensure we have adequate health care!
We need political representatives who will ensure we have adequate education prospects!
We need political REPRESENTATIVES who will ensure a safe future is given to us (and our children) via OUR TAXES!
We do not need political LEADERS… who take away our rights and DIRECT us to head down a path to our own future destruction.
Warm regards
Anne | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| The weekend of November 18 will be the second anniversary of the police killing of Mulrunji in Palm Island's watchhouse. There will be a national day of action on that day calling for an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody, justice for Mulrunji and for everyone who has lost a loved one to police murder and brutality.
Sydney details:
Sat 18 November (THIS SATURDAY)
12 noon Sydney Town Hall, proceeding to Tourism Queensland where a nationally synchronised one minute silence will be held
Come along and join this protest (bring a placard/flag; an instrument) help give solidarity to our brothers and sisters in Queensland; raise awareness in the community here; continue the fight for justice.
See also:
Brisbane Socialist Alliance (various posts)
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/brisbane/
Protests will mark Mulrunji anniversary (4 Nov 06):
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2006/689/35810
Cameron Doomadgee: 'Do right by my brother' (14 Oct 06)
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2006/687/35676
Sydney Socialist Alliance
http://www.socialist-alliance.org/sydney/
Protests will mark Mulrunji anniversary
Paul Benedek, Brisbane
4 November 2006
November 18 will be the second anniversary of the police killing of Mulrunji in Palm Island’s watchhouse. On that day, members of Queensland’s Aboriginal community and their supporters will rally in Brisbane to demand an end to Aboriginal deaths in custody.
Thirty-six-year-old Mulrunji was taken into police custody on the morning of November 19, 2004, for “public drunkenness”. Within one hour he lay dead in a cell, with four broken ribs and a liver split in two. On September 27 this year, Queensland deputy state coroner Christine Clements found that Mulrunji should never even have been taken into custody and that his death was caused by blows from Senior Sergeant Chris Hurley.
“Mulrunji’s death is only one in a tragic history of police racism, violence and murder against Aboriginal people, yet virtually no police have been brought to justice”, Brisbane rally organiser Sam Watson told Green Left Weekly. “The importance of the case of brother Mulrunji is that at last some truth has been revealed. November 18 is about all of us who can’t rest until we see justice. [We’re] demanding justice for Mulrunji, but also for every person who has lost a loved one to police murder and brutality.
“Not only should Hurley be held accountable, but also Premier Peter Beattie … Beattie’s government has already said it won’t implement some of Clement’s recommendations.”
The Brisbane rally is demanding: an end to black deaths in custody and police racism; full implementation of the findings of the 1992 Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody; the reopening of all contested cases; and the dropping of charges against the Palm Islanders who rose up in grief after Mulrunji’s killing.
Protests will be held across Australia. In Melbourne, the issue will be brought into the protest against the G20 summit. For more information, phone Sam on 0401 227 443 or email <brisbane@greenleft.org.au>. | | comments: 1 comment or Leave a comment |
| PLEASE FORWARD THROUGH YOUR NETWORKS
Calling all Indigenous Australians to come along on the Peace Train
A ride which recognises the traditional owners of this land and coastal
shores!
25th November 2006
"Music & Rhythm to celebr8 diversity!"
See flier attached or go to:
www.myspace.com/peacetrain06
Catch the 12:12pm train from Bankstown to Cronulla or jump on
at stations along the way
For full listing of times the peace train arrives at each station go to
www.myspace.com/peacetrain06
peacetrain06@gmail.com or ph:0408 292 256
Organised by Youth Councils in Bankstown, Hurstville & Sutherland
Confirmed performers include:
- Bruce Shillingsworth Aboriginal dance Troupe
- WireMC of Cuzco
- TSI group Beizam Koedal
- Karifi: African beats!
- Breakdancers
- Chinese dragon and much much more!!
It's time to join together and show solid support for diversity and a
recognition of Indigenous rights to this country
 | | comments: Leave a comment |
| PROTEST MARCH
Join the march on your lunch hour...TODAY!
Tuesday 14th November @ 12pm.
Meet at Hyde Park fountain then March to Parliament House
STOP THE IEMMA GOVERNMENT SELLING OUT THE STATE OF NSW FOR DEVELOPER DONATIONS
PUT THE PEOPLE BACK INTO PLANNING
Communities from around the state of NSW will join forces and deliver a list of demands to the Iemma Government to stop the planning dictatorship.
Speakers will include:
Community Groups from around NSW.
Peter Debnam – Opposition Leader
Sylvia Hale – MLC NSW Greens
Mick Mundine – Redfern Aboriginal Housing Company
Clover Moore – Lord Mayor City of Sydney and Member for Bligh | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Redfern Aboriginal Authority's
Campaign to save Marawina Pre-School
As you may know, the doors to Marawina Pre-School have closed.
LET'S UNITE TO RE-OPEN MARAWINA
A community meeting has been called for
Wednesday 15th November, 2006
Redfern Town Hall, 1st floor, 6:30 pm
The meeting will be chaired by Barrister, Tony McAvoy.
Options:
. Re-open Marawina under new Aboriginal Management.
. Re-open Marawina under an Administrator.
. Amalgamate Marawing with another pre-school.
. Close Marawina forever!
If a solution is not found by the Aboriginal community, Marawina will close permanently. Aboriginal controlled childcare will no longer exist in Redfern/Waterloo.
Our kids are the ones missing out. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| From: Kirky
To: RW
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 4:14 AM
Subject: [savelakecowal] Gathering Ground
Gathering Ground
http://www.smh.com.au/news/arts-reviews/gathering-ground/2006/11/13/1163266441664.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1
Katrina Lobley
November 13, 2006
Artists want to take you on a trip through Sydney's most maligned neighbourhood.
Lily Shearer, Karen Therese, Aletha Ronkson, Alan Clarke and Willurei Kirkbright-Burney. Seated from the left are Wire MC, Tracey Duncan and Beck Robinson.
Photo: Domino Postiglione
Genre
Spoken Word, Theatre, Dance
Location
Gathering Ground
Address
Everleigh St, Redfern
Date
16 November 2006 to 18 November 2006
Tickets
Free
Phone Bookings
(02) 9550 2744
Online Bookings
http://gatheringground.org
It's an understatement to say the Block, the cultural heartland of Sydney's indigenous community, has an image problem.
"Most people are afraid to come to the Block and that's a stereotype we need to break," says 21-year-old artist Willurei Kirkbright-Burney, daughter of the state's first indigenous MP, Linda Burney.
"So many people, even people associated with my friends who are my own age, say, 'Oh, I'm afraid to go down to the Block.' That's silly.
"There are some problems in this area - there are problems that exist within Aboriginal communities all over this country - but it doesn't necessarily mean that you walk down the street and you're going to get bashed or mugged or have your iPod stolen."
Kirkbright-Burney is among a multitude of artists, black and white, who have created the arts extravaganza Gathering Ground, which will unfold at the Block over three nights. Acrobats, dancers, rappers, musicians and theatre and film directors have spent the past month creating their works in collaboration with about 40 community kids, brought in from schools and drop-in centres four afternoons a week.
All their hard work will be seen during an intimate 90-minute walking tour of the notorious neighbourhood. As the sun sets, each evening's audience will gather at the top of Eveleigh Street.
It's a spot where passers-by are often asked for things - on the day of this interview, a woman shuffles over to ask, "Hey, sis, got a smoko?" Despite moments like this, the community here is proud and close-knit; they look after each other in ways that should be the envy of other communities.
"There are heaps of positive things about this place and this community, like the children who live here and the family connections, the closeness," Kirkbright-Burney says.
Indigenous director Allan Clarke is looking forward to his role as one of two tour guides showing outsiders around the Block. The 24-year-old learned a lot about being theatrical in PACT Youth Theatre's Step Up program, where he was mentored by indigenous theatre gurus Wesley Enoch and Kirk Page. Step Up was a segue to Gathering Ground, with many of the artists involved, including Kirkbright-Burney, moving on to this event.
Clarke says at the Eveleigh Street entrance to the event, "we want to plaster old Black Theatre posters on the wall as if there is a show happening and we want to have a nod to the freedom rides with a mock-up of the bus and a picture of the original troupe that went out".
The audience will move to the grass in front of Redfern Community Centre, where there will be a smoking ceremony and welcome to country. The procession will move on, with Clarke and a fellow guide, indigenous activist Aletha Penrith, giving their insight into important sites such as the Murawina hostel.
Kirkbright-Burney's handiwork will also emanate from one of the Block's derelict houses. "I'm doing a sound installation - the sounds of people living in a house - to symbolise the families that used to live here, and the houses that have been knocked down," she says.
The tour includes a stop at Mundines Gym, home base of boxing champ Anthony "Choc" Mundine.
Gathering Ground co-director Karen Therese says: "It's going to be presented like Jim Sharman's boxing tent, with an old carny feel at the front of the gym and then we'll invite people up to the gym. There'll be a boxing presentation and young people doing acrobatics."
The tour will move along Vine Street, where things will get louder and louder.
"It'll pick up in the protest feel and Allan and Aletha will be getting on megaphones and getting people to chant," Therese says.
The dramatic vibe continues at the basketball court, where Wire MC and Phreaze will lead a hip-hop battle.
The tour will return to the front of the community centre where there'll be an indigenous fashion parade and a screening of Kirkbright-Burney's video of kids talking about the Block.
"It'll be about [how] they feel about the area, what's great about it and how they'd feel if the Block didn't exist. I wanted to capture that there should be hope in our future, not just bleakness."
PEACE & GOD BLESS
Kirky a Koori in Parkes. Oz.
Wife, mum, nan, sista, aunt, cuz & friend 2 all.
http://kirkys-world.tripod.com
1 stick can B broken ~ a handfull 2gether can't B broken ~ In Solidarity iz Strength. | | comments: Leave a comment |
| Global Climate Change Mitigation Petition:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/737214963 Saturday was very busy, after work i had to do the washing and the weekly shopping and i had promised the local kids (and my son) that i would take them all to the river. Unfortunately, there was no time left in the day to hang around Gin Gin collecting signatures :-( I hope that i will have some spare time next Saturday. All together (thanks to the help of my daughter) we now have around 800 signatures – 699 online signatures, and a little over 100 written signatures. Please add your name requesting our taxes to be spent on sustainable energy supplies! a | | comments: Leave a comment |
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