The Hon. Jane Prentice on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Abbott
MEDIA RELEASE – 24th November 2013
2013 Landmark achievement after 41 years of struggle. The Australian South Sea
Islander (ASSI) community vote in a Secretariat Board of Directors and a
National Secretariat (ASSI.PJ)
WANTOK 2013 ASSI National Capacity Building Forum which was held at the State Library in Brisbane from 1-3 November saw the ASSI community come together after forty-one years of struggle, to nominate a national representative voice.
The election outcomes for the WANTOK this year were indeed important for all Australian South Sea Islanders. It was the first time in forty-one years that elections were successfully undertaken for ASSI people for the membership of a National Secretariat and Representative Board to represent their many interests. These bodies will now be able to provide a united voice to Government and other audiences in relation to ASSI social, economic, educational, historic and cultural concerns.
The event commenced with a Welcome to Country by local traditional owner Aunty Carole Currie, a South East Queensland Elder from Jugura Country, and Aunty Jenni Willie who provided ASSI acknowledgement on behalf of all ASSI. Hon. Jane Prentice, MP, Federal Member for Ryan in Brisbane represented Prime Minister Tony Abbott and our revered Chairperson, Mrs. Bonito Mabo AO also spoke.
We had distinguished international representation from Vanuatu with the attendance for the duration of the Forum of Paramount Chiefs representing the Vanuatu Indigenous Descendants Association (VIDA), as well as the Hon. Ralph Regenvanu, Minister for Lands in Vanuatu. An authentic South Sea Islander touch was introduced in the entertainment with the colourful performances by 30 dancers from Tanna Island, TAFEA Australian Connections Community and Vanuatu singers. Local VIPs included Brisbane Deputy Lord Mayor Cr. Angela Owen-Taylor, Tim Mulherin, Member for Mackay in Queensland Parliament, and Settlement and Multicultural Affairs Queensland Manager Sue Charnley.
The Forum program provided delegates with a variety of interesting and inspirational speakers who related moving stories of reconnection to family and working in community. It was professionally facilitated by ASSI Paramount Chief Duane Vickery.
The election process was democratic and undertaken in open forum, allowing robust debates, where issues were given expression and the diversity of input was noted for consideration.
Highlights of in the program were speeches by Hon. Ralph Regenvanu on the proposedupcoming changes in the Vanuatu constitution which will see dual citizenship given to Ni Vanuatu under certain conditions, and Mr. Les Meltzer Co-Chair of National Congress for Australia’s First Peoples who spoke about Australia and matters in relation to its human rights representation on the United Nations.
National coordinator and President of the National Secretariat, Waskam Emelda Davis says:
“The forum was intense and heartfelt. We were all there for the good of the community and need for change.
Australian South Sea Islanders need one voice to lobby and implement change for our communities.
The Secretariat Board reflects a strong and diverse skill base that represents knowledge of our history, education, policy and health industry professionals, all complimented with a strong media and marketing vision. With this strength we can move mountains.
I am honoured to be given the opportunity to work with such a diverse and committed group of people and of course the Port Jackson branch who were voted in
as the National Secretariat and would like to personally thank the community for having faith in our capabilities.”
The National Secretariat on their return to Sydney have continued discussions with the Community Relations Commission, Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australia Council for the Arts and follow up talks are to be held with the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples and a number of influential State and Federal agencies.
Please find below links to the website which will provide further insight into the Brisbane forum and will also be updated after our next Wantok to be held in Tweed Heads on the 7th and 8th December.
watch video: Wantok 2012 National Conference – Bundaberg Queensland