Shola Diop – Black Voice Panellist at BLACK Mount Druitt and Tweed

Shola Diop - Black Voice Panellist at BLACK.

Shola Diop – Black Voice Panellist at BLACK.

Shola Diop – Black Voice Panellist at BLACK Mount Druitt and Tweed, is gainfully employed with a leading asset management company.

As a 2009 founding member of the ASSIPJ Shola has demonstrated a great level of commitment and loyalty as an advocate for his community, working in a voluntary capacity as Treasurer.

Shola believes innovative thinking is a positive youth and grassroots concept for development in cross-cultural and collaboration with Indigenous, ASSI and broader community projects.

He will share his story and experience as a Division 1 athlete in attending Winthrop University in the USA.

REGISTER NOW!

See Lynda-June Coe at BLACK Mount Druitt

Lynda-June CoeJoining the incredible line-up of speakers at our Sydney workshop is Lynda-June Coe. Lynda is a proud Wiradjuri and Torres Strait Islander woman and an educator that has been involved in activism since her teenage years.

“I come from a long line of warriors… it is that duty that our people must stand against tyranny and terrorism. Since the time of Pemulwuy and Windradyne, we have never surrendered to the invasion of our country. The Black Lives Matter movement is this reality, it’s time to end racial supremacy and free our people from the colonial regime.”

See Lynda live at BLACK Mount Druitt – 22nd & 23rd October 2016.
DON’T MISS OUT… REGISTRATION A MUST!

Women are the peacemakers

Emelda Davis and Lynda Ben-Menashe

Emelda Davis and Lynda Ben-Menashe

Over 300 women leaders from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds have shared a festive meal in Sydney.

Guests came from a range of backgrounds, including Indigenous, African, Greek, Jewish, Indian, South Asian, Muslim, Chinese, Pacific Islander and Filipino at the 2016 Women of Diversity Dinner held at the Sapphire Function Centre in Auburn.

“Women are Peacemakers” was the key message at the event themed ‘Harmony starts at home’ and designed to build relationships among women who otherwise might never have the opportunity to meet and to build bridges.

Juliana Nkrumah, founder of African Women Australia and Statewide Coordinator of the NSW Police Force Multicultural Community Liaison Officer Program was the keynote speaker. She is well-known for her campaigning against Female Genital Mutilation and was awarded an Order of Australia in 2013 for her work supporting women and refugees.

A special address was given by MP Linda Burney, the newly elected member for Barton and the first female indigenous member of federal parliament. Ms Burney reflected on how far society has come by electing an indigenous female to federal parliament, which would have been near impossible several decades ago. She said the female experience in indigenous communities was not dissimilar to that experienced by immigrant groups and she hoped her election to federal parliament would serve as an inspiration not only to indigenous women, but all women in Australia.

A number of special guests were invited to share their stories, giving poignant examples of how ‘harmony starts at home’.

A key point was that women are the central force in any family and policies that support women will have the greatest positive future impact on our society as a whole.

Comedian Jennifer Wong tied the night together by infusing her signature humour in her role as MC.

“It was very significant to have such a large group of women representing so many different cultural backgrounds together in one place with the overarching aim of addressing shared concerns and creating friendships,” said Lynda Ben-Menashe, Community Relations Manager of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies and one of the organisers.

Lynda Ben-Menashe said the focus on an event created by women, just for women was intentional. “When women come together, there is a natural connection that transcends barriers. Events like this can do much to bring about greater understanding and acceptance in our communities. We need this now more than ever.”

The meal was served by women refugees who started catering businesses and a number of tickets to the dinner were sponsored so that new arrivals to Australia could attend and establish deeper connections to others in the wider community.

The guests were treated to musical entertainment by Dalia Dior who sang in French, Hebrew and Arabic and performances from Tongan, African and Indian dancers.

Emelda Davis proud to be speaking at both BLACK workshops being held in Mount Druitt & Tweed Heads

Emelda Davis ASSIPJPresident of ASSIPJ and Sydney Local Woman of the Year, Emelda Davis is proud to be speaking at both BLACK workshops being held in Mount Druitt and Tweed Heads this month.

Emelda boasts diverse expertise in community development, education, training, media and marketing having worked for Federal, State Government, Community and Grassroots organisations.

Her work as President of ASSIPJ since 2009 has seen the revival of the call for recognition for her people through coordination of five Wantok national workshops between 2012-2015 and development of the National Australian South Sea Islander Association (NASSIA) followed by the adoption of the NASSIA constitution at Tweed Heads NSW.

Connect with Emelda and hear her story.
Register now FREE for BLACK Mount Druitt.

Say halo to Lola Forester

Lola ForesterJoining the speaker line up for BLACK Mt Druitt, Lola Forester is a Yuwibara/Australian South Sea Islander who is the producer of the Blackchat program on Koori Radio 93.7FM.

Lola has travelled to South Africa, USA, Mexico, Vanuatu and beyond in her time as a radio producer. Lola’s extensive career as an Indigenous media specialist in politics and world current affairs has seen her attention in particular on Black Lives Matter issues for people of colour.

As keynote at the BLACK workshop, Lola hopes to learn, share and encourage our young to take up the advocacy work needed in creating change for the injustice our communities are facing.

Numbers for the BLACK workshop are limited so register HERE.

Say halo to Dr Jioji Ravulo

Dr Jioji Ravulo

Dr Jioji Ravulo

Dr. Jioji Ravulo is a Senior Lecturer (Social Work) in the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, Western Sydney University. He has an extensive background in working with Pacific communities both locally, nationally, and internationally through several different projects. This includes the management of Pasifika Achievement To Higher Education (PATHE), an initiative striving to develop the vocational and career aspiration in Pacific families, and Pacific Islands Field Education (PIFE); promoting effective indigenous social work practice, policy and research across Oceania.
Hear Dr. Ravulo speak at BLACK Mt. Druitt this month – Register today!

BLACK Workshop series aims to raise awareness of Australian South Sea Islander history.

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BLACK stands for Bold Leadership Awareness and Cultural Knowledge.

Organised by Australian South Sea Islanders Port Jackson, in collaboration with local community organisations and leaders, the BLACK Workshop series aims to raise awareness of Australian South Sea Islander history while encouraging youth leadership through education and cultural participation.

Workshops will be conducted in October this year at Mout Druitt and Tweed Heads – registration is essential as numbers will be limited – see details for both venues below.

The overarching theme of the workshops will be the history sharing of the descendants of blackbirding, Pacific diversity and broader community commonality and aims to:

1. Raise awareness of Australian South Sea Islander history facilitated by respected community leaders who are descendants of Australia’s Blackbirding trade.

2. Identify Australian South Sea Islander community hubs.

3. Encourage youth leadership participation through tailored work shop facilitated by Indigenous/ASSI leaders.

4. Encourage broader community cohesion and harmony through local voices, cultural participation, commonality and identity.

The workshops will include sessions on leadership, culture, story telling, panel discussions as well as performances by local international acclaimed artists.

Examples of leadership will facilitate through a diversity of keynote volunteer speakers such as:

Shireen Malamoo – Aboriginal / Kanak Activist and recipient of this years NSWCPC ‘Overall Outstanding Award’

Dr Jioji Ravulo – Senior Lecturer (Social Work) at Western Sydney University,

Deng Adut – South Sudanese child soldier-turned-Blacktown lawyer and the subject for 2016 portrait winner of the People’s Choice award.

James Pitts – former CEO Odyssey House drug and rehabilitation centre.

Professor Kirk Huffman – former Director of Vanuatu Museum.

Emelda Davis – President of ASSIPJ and Master of ceremonies.

Zachary Wone – project coordinator and NSWCPC ‘Community Youth’ award recipient.

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MT DRUITT WORKSHOP

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Date: 22nd & 23rd October 2016

Venue: Mount Druitt Hub

Address: 9 Ayres Grove Mount Druitt

Times: Day 1: 9.00am – 5:00pm / Day 2: 10.00am-5:00pm.

Link to Mt Druitt Registration form HERE.

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM.

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TWEED HEADS WORKSHOP

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Date: 29th & 30th October 2016

Venue: South Tweed Community Centre – HACC

Address: Cnr. Heffron Street & Minjungbal Drive Sth.Tweed

Times: Day 1: 10:00am-5:00pm / Day 2: 10:00am-5:00pm

Link to Tweed Heads Registration form HERE.

Find us on FACEBOOK.

Yarning circle with Reverend Willie Bennett – Black Lives Matter

On Thursday July 28th 2016, Australian South Sea Islanders Port Jackson and The Sydney Alliance facilitated a Yarning circle with Reverend Willie Bennett – Black Lives Matter, Grassroots power and Community activism.

There were a diverse range of prominent grass roots world leaders on a panel of black nations represented in Australia who all come together at The Settlement Redfern to discuss the many burdens that are placed on our communities through injustice and marginalisation. The insight provided by grassroots perspectives are critical as we explore and develop strategic partnerships aimed at creating change through greater understanding.

We were fortunate to have an opportunity to meet and exchange perspectives with Rev. Willie Bennett joining us from Dallas, USA.

The reverend brings over 30 years’ experience organising with low income communities in Fort Worth, Dallas as Lead Organiser with The Metropolitan Organisation.

Among his many experiences and achievements, Rev. Willie organised the Hurricane Katrina Survivor’s Network (KSN), which in 2009 negotiated 10,000 vouchers for people in Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas who had not received any support after Hurricane Katrina.

He also won over $150 million in rents for Dallas area survivors.

The night was opened by traditional owner from the Eora nation Fay Carroll with Welcome to Country, prayer and one minute silence by Pastor Ray Minniecon a Kabi Kabi, Gureng Gureng (FNQ) and ASSI man descendant from Ambrym Island – Vanuatu.

Other contributors were Shireen Malamoo Aboriginal / Kanak, Ken Canning a Kunja Clan of the Bidjara Peoples of south-west Queensland, Mal Freaun a Ngatiwai Maori Women from New Zealand, Angus Leendertz from South Africa, Lola Forester a Yuwibara/Australian South Sea Islander Women, Lynda-June Coe a Wiradjuri and Torres Strait Islander woman, Rachel Jordan African women.

Many thanks to The Settlement, Sarina Vojnar catering, Binette Diop camera operation and Zac Wone assistant MC.

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