Deaf Aboriginal Camp – Wollombi - Ngurra Bu - 2016
Deaf Aboriginal Camp – Wollombi - Ngurra Bu 2016
This was a letter of thanks I sent the Deaf Children Australia, Dubbo Deaf Teachers Unit in Dubbo for the Department Of Education NSW. HR staff at Essential Energy.
What a terrific few days at Wollombi barn stay, Ngurra Bu Aboriginal Deaf Camp. I took two young aboriginal deaf children there as a volunteer/carer/mentor in my own private vehicle and would do it again as I absolutely loved it. On arrival I met up with other teachers/carers and children from all over Australia, some as far as Cairns and Mossman Qld, Wagga Wagga, Central Coast, Dubbo and the far western NSW plus Melbourne Vic. It was one of the most uplifting things I've ever done for these deaf aboriginal kids and myself. I've always said you never stop learning and I've got a life time of learning to go. I’ve never been so interested in the stories about our aboriginal culture and I've never took the time to learn or understand it before now. The true “lore if followed by all and I mean all the peoples of the world would be a better place. Their common values that we all should follow and I've be guilty myself of not follow them but will endeavour to do so. Learning these lessons from aboriginal culture and all ancient cultures has been forgotten but needs to be reinforced to young aboriginal youth and all youth in general for that matter. Only a bit over 230 years ago if you broke the “lore you were first speared in the leg if you did it again you could be speared in a way to give you a permanent limp to remind you of your wrongs. Do it again and you were speared to death or worse still banished for ever, in so doing never having a home not being able to travel through other tribal lands or hunt there. So you continued to break more lore of other tribes and you would either starve or be killed by others in the end. It was all about respect, being humble, love & caring for family. Things that many seem to have forgotten in current times. So the message from the camp was to pass on these lessons to our aboriginal youth and teach the 3 things and of course the culture of the aboriginal people. There's no way to learn it all in a few days or even years it's a lifelong lesson. To be invited to learn a snippet of aboriginal cultural ways with tracking animals, bush tucker & medicine making bush tools, instruments, learning to read and interpret the meanings of rock carvings and cave paintings was a real eye opener and a spiritual moving feeling for me personally. To be able to participate in soul cleansing smoke ceremonies and a Corroboree all bare footed to connect with Mothers Earth is something I can't really explain. I can only hope that these young aboriginal children learn the ways of their forefathers as I have started to learn because it's the very thing that missing from the world today. They say Aboriginal culture is dead, it’s not only if we let it be. So that my story about a truly amazing few days about something that is about the oldest culture in the world, The Aboriginal culture. There’s already talk of another camp at the same place so count me in. I’d like to thanks everyone for making it happen for all these deaf aboriginal children and of course myself. Special thanks must go to firstly the host at barn stay Adam Drylie and Debra Swann, Greg Frost (Deaf Children Australia)and from my end Donna Rees (Deaf Teachers Unit) , Iona Mackenzie & Bambi Russell (Essential Energy) . Which none of this could have gone ahead without their professional organizing ability and they should all be congratulated on an enormous effort. If I ever get asked to help out again feel free to give me a call.
Some of my friends may be shocked by this post as you may not have realised that I even had Aboriginal blood in me. My eldest sister Gail informed me & Carol only a few years back and it was a shock to me at the time as well, not that it really worried me as I've always thought as much anyway. I've always hung around aboriginal people and I've only ever shared a house with three men in my life and they where all aboriginal. Buddy Riley, Russell Cummings & Albert Osborne as he is my cousin and I have informed he only this year. I'm from North Dubbo and grew up and played with my aboriginal mates all my life. I remembered doing and Mum telling me as a very young boy I'd put my speedos on and sit in the dirt clapping rocks together like clap sticks and sing aboriginal songs. So it's always been there, It turns out my Great Grandmother was an aboriginal women from around the Molong area. So that makes me a Wiradjuri man and proud to be one. So don't worry I'm not going to change. Though some may be hoping so. That reminds me I still have the mulga in the shed to make my clap sticks. Might get a start at the Old Bank.
Aboriginal Heritage of the Wollombi (NSW) Australia
In 2009 a community gathering and public lecture event was organised by Garry Jones and the Wollombi Valley Arts Council Inc., to raise awareness in the local community about the importance of Aboriginal heritage and culture and why it needs to be protected, safeguarded, researched and cherished.
A video recording of the evening at the Laguna Community Hall on the 14 February 2009, “Heritage of the Wollombi,” was produced by Monterosa Media and filmed by Sam DiNatale for the Wollombi Valley Arts Council Inc.
WOLLOMBI GATHERING - SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY, 2009
(LAGUNA COMMUNITY HALL)
ORDER OF PROCEEDINGS
00:00:00 - 00:03:03 Welcome & Introductory Remarks regarding the oldest library in stone in the world (Claude Aliotti, Wollombi Valley Arts Council)
00:03:07 - 00:05:09 Acknowledgment of Country (Arthur Fletcher, Wonnarua Nation) Introduction of invited descendants of Darginjung, Gurringai, Awabagal & Wonnaruah tribal groups.
00:05:16 - 00:26:10 Narrative of the Aboriginal presence in the Wollombi Valley & surrounds (Gionni Di Gravio. Archivist, University of Newcastle).
00:26:16 - 01:01:02 Art Sites of Yengo Country & the Wollombi district (Garry Jones, Binghai Aboriginal Sites Team).
00:01:20 - 01:53:07 Archaeology of the Aboriginal presence in the district & beyond (John Clegg, University of Sydney).
Break for refreshments, evening picnic meal, etc.
01:53:13 - 02:19:48 Geomorphology of the Valley before and after European settlement (Professor Wayne Erskine, Ourimbah Campus, University of Newcastle).
02:19:59 - 02:49:56 New Site Recording Approaches & “A Pipedream” (Emeritus Professor John Fryer, University of Newcastle).
02:49:59 - 02:52:25 - Thanks by Claude Aliotti
02:52:34 - 02:57:27 Community Discussion Question 1. Date of the Rock Art? (Garry Jones, John Fryer)
02:57:26 - 02:59:39 Community Discussion Question 2. What future explorations, site documentation and advice for future care? (NPWS Rep)
02:59:44 - 03:15:32 Community Discussion Question 3. What do Aboriginal people think about all this? (Les Atkinson, Arthur Fletcher, Claude Aliotti, NPWS Rep, Garry Jones)
Video was filmed on the 14 February 2009
Edited on 12 May 2017 by Gionni Di Gravio
For more info:
For further Aboriginal History and Culture posts on the Hunter Living Histories see:
Homeground Sydney Opera House 2015 - Wollombi Mob
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders dance competition at Sydney Opera House 2015; Wollombi Mob's dance performance
Wonderful Faces of Wollombi 2015
2015 Xmas celebration of the wonderful volunteers of Wollombi Rural Fire Brigade
Wollombi
Mark Ben Peter Produced by Ella Star Wilkins and Maddie Yeo ;)
Wollombi Country
The name Wollombi is derived from the Aboriginal meaning meeting place. Thousands of years ago, Wollombi was a ceremonial meeting place. Mount Yengo was a major focus of culture, being directly connected to the Dreamtime story of the creation of the earth. Follow Mark Rutherford and Don Wade as a local guides them through this magical landscape.
NSW Rotary Employee of the Year Award
Well done Kevin Read – winner of the 2016 NSW Rotary Employee of the Year Award! As the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer at Lachlan LAC, Kevin has ingratiated himself into each and every community. Lachlan Commander, Supt Chris Taylor said, “What Kevin has been able to achieve, by becoming the perfect conduit of communication between the police and Aboriginal communities, has gained him universal respect among his peers and work colleagues.”
Auslan video - Australian Equality Party
Auslan is the sign language of the Australian Deaf community. The Australian Equality Party believes that deaf and hard of hearing Australians are respected and have the right to live in a fully inclusive society that allows all people to reach their potential. We are excited to publish our first Auslan video!
11 64899 - Benjamin Duterrau 'Native taking a kangaroo' 1837
Benjamin Duterrau
'Native taking a kangaroo' 1837
Purchased 1979
Native taking a kangaroo is unique among colonial paintings in its attempt to capture an individual likeness while also recording the Indigenous peoples' way of life. Benjamin Duterrau accurately recorded one of the methods that the Indigenous people used in the 1830s when hunting kangaroos. After dogs had been introduced to Tasmania by Europeans, the Aboriginal people used them to chase kangaroos and became dependent on them in their hunting. After being caught by a dog, the kangaroo was beaten to death. However, the double-headed pointed stick held by the Indigenous man in Duterrau's image is a throwing stick and not the single-headed club that he is more likely to have used. Furthermore, although Indigenous Australians sometimes wore kangaroo skins as cloaks, they never wore them as loincloths.
Duterrau immigrated to Van Diemen's Land in 1832 at the age of 65. In Hobart he painted both landscapes and portraits, but became known for his images of Indigenous people, including a number depicting their traditional way of life. He also painted the first Australian history paintings, a series of pictures recording the 'conciliation' of the Aboriginals in Tasmania by the Chief Protector of Aborigines, George Augustus Robinson.
Text © National Gallery of Australia, Canberra 2010
From: Ron Radford (ed), Collection highlights: National Gallery of Australia, National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, 2008
CBA - Aimee - Aboriginal Diversity (For The Hearing Impaired)
How to use NABS Visual Register of Interpreters
This video describes how to view photos of Interpreters on the NABS Visual Register of Interpreters. To access the NABS Visual Register visit nabs.org.au/drb This video is presented in Auslan.
Protests Against The Forced Closure Of Aboriginal Communities
A powerful movement gaining traction across Australia #SOSBlakAustralia
Signing Art - Aboriginal Deaf course (TAFE NSW - SWSI)
Signing Art is an Aboriginal Deaf course being offered in semester 2 (2010) by TAFE NSW - South Western Sydney Institute (SWSI). The course is a block release model that offers a Cert 3 in AUSLAN through arrange of art forms. The course is delivered by Deaf and Aboriginal teachers and provides maximum support for all students involved. The selection criteria for the program are: the students have to be Aboriginal, Deaf and be Centrelink eligible. Numbers for the course are limited, so contact us now to confirm your place.
Deaf Deadly Mob (First set up for the deaf Aboriginal Conference in Australia)
It is our first set up for the Deaf Aboriginal the whole Australia. We have started the first time on our conference 2015.
Deaf and Aboriginal
I have a story – my name is Haley Martin. I am deaf and Aboriginal. I grew up in the Sydney suburb of La Perouse and my mob is ‘Gamilaraay’. I grew up with Aboriginal people and in Aboriginal Community. I went to Aboriginal festival, play sport with Aboriginal people and watch Aboriginal people play football at Maroubra. But when I met other deaf people, I felt a little bit awkward because I was not farmilar with the Deaf Community.
I felt this way about deaf people until a few years ago when I met a few deaf Aboriginal people. One woman in particular, Joanna, inspired me and helped me to feel comfortable with myself and understand more about being deaf and Aboriginal. She shared her story and explained the barriers she faced being deaf and Aboriginal. She told me to take action and advocate service providers for our rights as deaf Aboriginal people.
I would like deaf and hard of hearing Aboriginal people to be confident, have support to achieve their goals and be able to access services without separating their disability from their Aboriginal identity. At the moment, I am working at the Deaf Society as Aboriginal Officer. It is my role to understand the support needs of deaf Aboriginal people and make recommendations to the Deaf Society.
The Deaf Society’s vision is equity for deaf people. They want all deaf people to have supports and access to match their needs. By better understanding the needs of deaf and hard of hearing Aboriginal people, they will be able to provide supports and services to assist you to live your life, your way.
So how can you help? Share your story with me and we can make a difference. I’m looking forward to meeting deaf and hard of hearing Aboriginal/ Torres Strait Islander peoples from all over NSW. You can contact me on email hmartin@deafsociety.com or Skype haleym.dsnsw
Everybody has a unique story, just be you no matter who you are, we all have a story to tell and we can all work together.
Deadly Deaf Mob Conference 2015 with CC V2
Deadly Deaf Mob Conference which will be held on 29 Sept - 1 Oct 2015, Conference venue - Panthers Penrith 123 Mulgoa Road, Penrith NSW.
About the Conference:
Get Ready Deadly Deaf Mob Our rights, Our stories, Our business, is a project to provide a three days conference which will involve cultural safety, arts, social and disability/Aboriginal services providers e.g. NDIS, Deaf Society of NSW, Deaf Children Australia, Aboriginal Disability Network, Interpreters Services and many more.
This project will support Deaf and hard of hearing Aboriginal people to discover they are not alone in the challenges that they face everyday life and develop bonds, allowing them to share their current and future experiences with each other.
The attending Deaf and hard of hearing non-Aboriginal and Aboriginal individuals/services providers and their families will receive guidance, friendship and support from Aboriginal leaders in the Deaf community to develop their confidence, knowledge, skills. Deaf Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal role models will also guide them to explore new experiences, challenges and build stronger networks that can be otherwise achieved through their daily lives.
We would like to encourage for you or your staff to attend or if you know any Deaf/Heard of Hearing Aboriginal people who might be interested.
For more information contact:
Deadly Deaf Mob Project Manager
Joanna Agius: deadlydeafmob@gmail.com
Aboriginal Disability Network NSW Manager
Dianne Brookes: phone 02 8399 0881
Thousands of protesters shut down the city over Indigenous land rights
Corroboree 2016
Corroboree November 2016 River Flats Estate
[Legislative Council] Essential Energy Enterprise Agreement
11 May 2016
Legislative Council, NSW Parliament
Adjournment Debate - Essential Energy Enterprise Agreement
The Hon. ADAM SEARLE ( 18:40 ): On two previous occasions in this place—on 17 March this year and again on 21 March this year—I have raised the issue of the Essential Energy industrial dispute. I do so again, as we find ourselves in the midst of a dispute that looks like it is fast getting out of control. The circumstances are fast approaching what I think is a point of crisis. Workers at the New South Wales Government-owned electricity distributor, Essential Energy, are today engaging in protected industrial action for 24 hours from 6.00 a.m. this morning after the company refused to allow the independent industrial umpire—the Fair Work Commission—to resolve a long-running dispute over wages, conditions and job cuts. I understand that employees from more than 100 workplaces and depots across the State are taking part in the action from 6 a.m. today and will return to work from 6 a.m. tomorrow.
Negotiations for a new workplace agreement began some 18 months ago and the existing industrial agreement expired in June of last year. Negotiations have been ongoing since that time, but without success. Now the company has also rejected a request to have the Fair Work Commission decide the outstanding matters between the parties to break the impasse that has been reached in negotiations. It should be remembered that, as the backdrop to this, on 7 March this year Essential Energy launched legal action that seeks to cancel the existing safety net for the workforce, the existing enterprise agreement. The effect of this action, if it was successful, would be to cut the wages and conditions of up to 4,000 employees by up to 40 per cent and that is because over time successive industrial agreements have achieved higher wages and conditions than the basic award. Despite the efforts of the workforce and its unions to negotiate with management, that seems to have reached the end of the road and now this industrial action is taking place. I believe it is the second time industrial action has occurred in this context; the first occasion, I believe, was on 20 April this year.
I am not going to go into the rights and wrongs of either side's bargaining positions or the matters that are in dispute, of which, as I indicated, I think there were six, but what is quite clear is that the parties themselves appear to not be able to resolve the matter. I understand the union wrote to the company suggesting that the last six matters be dealt with by way of consent arbitration by the Fair Work Commission and that the company has not only rejected this suggestion, but has stated that its preferred option is to proceed to cancel the existing enterprise agreement.
Essential Energy has already cut more than 500 jobs since June 2015 and has flagged it wishes to cut a further 800 jobs by June 2018. If Essential Energy is successful in cancelling the agreement, up to 800 regional jobs will be slashed overnight, wages and conditions for all staff will be cut by up to 40 per cent and consumers across rural and regional New South Wales will be left with lower service standards.
Before the last election, Liberal and National Party members of Parliament said there would be no cut to jobs or services, but for the last year they have remained silent as Essential Energy has done the exact opposite. If Essential Energy is not able to reach an agreement with its workforce and their unions, and if the company is not willing to participate in arbitration as a solution to the impasse, it is likely that this dispute will continue to escalate with even longer strikes on the cards. As I indicated, this is already the second round of industrial action. It is in nobody's interests to have a dispute that the parties cannot resolve lurching from crisis to crisis.
The Baird-Grant Government must ensure that management at the State-owned Essential Energy sits down and negotiates with its workforce in good faith, to ensure that regional communities, including workers, are not adversely impacted by a drawn-out dispute over a new workplace deal. Communities in regional New South Wales are at risk of disrupted services should the dispute be allowed to continue. Twice in this place we have called on the Government to step in and, if management did not agree, to force management to enter into good faith negotiations. Now the situation has taken a turn for the worse. The Government needs to take action to make sure that if the parties cannot develop a solution themselves, arbitration is the solution where an impartial third party resolves the outstanding six matters.
The kind of brutal approach to industrial relations evident in the way Essential Energy is conducting this dispute should not be allowed to continue. An approach of taking away people's hard-won wages and conditions should have no place in modern New South Wales or Australia. [Time expired.]