| It’s the time of year when everyone is gearing up for holidays and there’s many fun and informative events around Victoria over the next month. There has been some recent acheivements such as Lidia Thorpe, Gunnai-Gunditjmara women, winning a Green’s seat in Northcote and becoming the first Aboriginal woman Victorian parliament, and Mungo Man being returned to Country.
While there is much to celebrate, we must continue putting pressure on the government to address the need for continued support of First nation’s rights. The call to raise the age of detention from 10 to 14 is increasing, with over 600 children under 14 serving detention each year. 70% are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. In light of this, Change the Record launched #FreeToBeKids campaign on Monday in front of parliament house with a Sea of Hands, urging the federal to show leadership on this national issue. With the Victorian electection set for next year, there will be plenty of chances to write to your politicians, sign petitions, and rally local governments to let them know the gap in life outcomes needs to close. Whatever your December looks like, you can celebrate First Australians and support change! Change the Record co-chairs, Natalie Lewis and Antoinette Braybrook, and Keenan Mundine from Weave Mungo Man welcomed back to ancestral home in dance and song Mungo Man has been returned to his original resting place of Lake Mungo, in south west New South Wales, after 42 years. The 40,000-year-old remains are the country’s oldest. The traditional owners, the Paakantji, Mutthi Mutthi, and the Ngiyampaa people, have been fighting to have Mungo Man respectfully returned to his burial site, where he has finally joined Mungo Lady who was returned in 1992. The return was followed by a concert, featuring performers from Indigenous communities across the country. Read full article here.
Dan Sultan Benefit Gig for Yarra Stolen Generations Marker Sun. 2 December, 8pm
All proceeds from this event will go towards the development of a Stolen Generations Marker and garden in Gertrude Street, Fitzroy. You can purchase tickets here or help support the Stolen Generations Marker here. Fri. 2 February 2018 This training has been specifically designed to support mainstream service delivery staff, providing useful strategies and enabling better service delivery to First People. Please note that this training session will not go ahead if numbers do not reach minimum registered participants. Tickets available here. NEMA Cross-Sector Community of Practice – Tue. 5 December The NEMA Cross-Sector Community of Practice is inviting organisations from the Disability, Mental Health, Aged Care and other community service sectors to attend a morning workshop: ‘Can Culture Drive the Market?’ The event is free. Book here. Gawurra Thur. 7 December
Tickets available here. Wed. 6 December, 6.45
Warwick Thornton’s (director of Samson and Delilah) newest film is inspired by real events and has won many awards including Best Feature at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards and Special Jury Priza at the Venice International Film Festival. Set in 1929, outback Northern Territory, Sweet Country follows the pursuit of Aboriginal stockman Sam (Hamilton Morris) Sam and his wife Lizzie (Natassia Gorey-Furber). Starring Sam Neill, Bryan Brown and introducing Hamilton Morris and Natassia Gorey-FurberThe Film will be release nationally on 25 January. RSVP essential as seats are limited. Email rsvp@abcgfilm.com and specify which screening you would like to attend. Watch the trailer. Mornington Peninsula Human Rights Oration Thu. 14 December 2017 This year’s keynote speaker of the annual Mornington Peninsula Human Rights Oration is Peter Aldenhoven, President of Willum Warrain and the Director of Indigenous Education at Woodleigh School. The Oration will address the politics of identity, ongoing cultural dismantling and absorption, and the importance of recognising Australia’s First Peoples through a Treaty. You can register here. |
