Author Archives: w3media

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Mauritius Indentured Labour 180th Commemoration Ceremony 2014

renactments mauritius

Reenactment commemoration ceremonies 180 years since the first indentured Indian labourers were brought to Mauritius. In the district of Port Louis, lies the 1,640 m2 site where the modern indentured labour diaspora began. In 1834, the British Government selected the island of Mauritius to be the first site for what it called ‘the great experiment’ in the use of ‘free’ labour to replace slaves.

Between 1834 and 1920, almost half a million indentured labourers arrived from India at Aapravasi Ghat to work in the sugar plantations of Mauritius, or to be transferred to Reunion Island, Australia, southern and eastern Africa or the Caribbean. The buildings of Aapravasi Ghat are among the earliest explicit manifestations of what was to become a global economic system and one of the greatest migrations in history.

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre launch 2014

LIVERPOOL LORD MAYOR (far right), SAMOA HIGH COMMISSIONER (far left), VANUATU HIGH COMMISSIONER (middle)

LIVERPOOL LORD MAYOR (far right), SAMOA HIGH COMMISSIONER (far left), VANUATU HIGH COMMISSIONER (middle)

Vanuatu High Commissioner Mr Kalfau Kaloris introduces WANTOK NSW at the Casula Power House Arts Centre – Pacific Gods Program acknowledging ancestors and work to date for ASSI recognition the speeches were followed by more brilliance of Pacific Cultural groups and a highlighted performance by Uncle Johnny Nicol and Aunty Shireen Malamoo. A humble thank you to the CPAC and particularly creative producer Leo Tanoi for their commitment to ASSI recognition.

National Governance Working Group

Rockhampton-consult-2014

National Governance Working Group
ROCKHAMPTON CONSTITUTION CONSULTATION with the NASSIGWG 17/10/2014. feedback…

RANDALL WARKILL –
Thought I’d take this opportunity to update on the Rockhampton ASSI National Body meeting, held Friday 17th.

The Item for discussion “The Draft Constitution” planned for that day was not approved or passed, it was discussed. I attended the meeting with no expectations other than to halt the Draft Constitution. The NASSIWG have one objective and that is to develop the constitution for a national body.

NASSIWG realise and understand that a National Body and a State Body needs to happen and to operate at full potential one cannot function without the other. NASSIWG also believe as does the guest speaker, Member for Keppel Mr Bruce Young that a National Body should be established first. It is important to note that NASSIWG has the best interests of the Australian South Sea Islanders at hand when it comes to establishing a National Body, although the processes and communication does need reviewing they do have their heart in the right place with compassion, integrity and commitment to deliver a reasonable, open minded constitution with realistic guidelines for ASSI.

Gilbert and Tobin Lawyers are experienced in establishing non for profit organisations, and it is their judgement and expert advice that is assisting in writing of the constitution. I must note it is our (the peoples) wording of that document that is being added and not that of Gilbert and Tobin. I am inclined to change my point of view as I feel a voice at a National level will be critical to our goals at a State level as we advocate for recognition and human rights issues.

I have asked myself what is in best interest for our people and I believe this is right I am committed to both and believe one cannot work without the other in terms of people ownership at the grassroots. I know there has been a lot of miscommunication that has lead to the difference of opinions and interpretations of NASSIWG and the National Body so I ask you all to consider this.

The Government continues to struggle with the difficult task of addressing the marginalisation and disadvantage peoples and maybe it is because at that level we have no representation. If we are to move forward let’s not add to the Governments struggle and band together and overcome our indifferences by attending meetings (if you are able) and support our future. This is only a brief update and my opinions after the Rockhampton meeting , I am sure the NASSIWG will send out the minutes of that meeting shortly.
Thanks

Poem entitled “WANTOK had a breakthrough”

Poem entitled "WANTOK had a breakthrough"

WANTOK had a breakthrough – written by Veronica Griffin.

WANTOK had a breakthrough

Wantok had a break through
Wow how’s that
Wantok had a break through
Now a working group has been selected
Wantok had a break through
How deadly …Oh how deadly
Wantok had a break through
My people from near and a far
Hey … Wantok had a break through
Emelda, Graham and Michael … all of us can relax
Cause Wantok … had a break through
Our Kanaka voice will be nationally heard
Now that … Wantok had a break through
Australian South Sea Islanders rejoice
We can never again be blue
Our … Wantok had a break through
Will not remain silent we will be ever strong
Why? …Wantok had a break through
My birthday 30th March 2014 will always be know as the date that …
Wantok had a break through
From Mackay our progressive town where
Wantok … had a break through
Let us hear loud clear voices … hey!
Wantok had a break through
Shout it from every beat of your heart
Hooray…
Wantok had a break through
Go back to your family and your people and tell them…
Wantok had a break through
Teach the children… listen to the young folk and respect your elders be humbled by this thing.
Remember all of you the date the time the place … when
Wantok had a break through.

Oxfam – Growing Food in A Changing Climate

(left) Lola Forester,Emelda Davis,Shirley Tokon (program manager Climate Change Adaption), Mala Silas (Adaption Officer) - University of Sydney presentation

(left) Lola Forester,Emelda Davis,Shirley Tokon (program manager Climate Change Adaption), Mala Silas (Adaption Officer) – University of Sydney presentation

Climate change is the single biggest threat in the global fight against hunger, and our neighbours in the Pacific are particularly vulnerable. Meet Shirley and Mala, two amazing women from Vanuatu who are working hard to build the resilience of vulnerable communities to climate change. They’re coming to Sydney soon, and we’d like to invite you to meet them at a very special event.

This seminar will provide a first-hand opportunity to hear from two people at the frontline of food security and climate change in the Pacific. Mala Silas is 23 years old and is currently employed as the climate change officer with CARE on Fortuna Island in Vanuatu. The CARE programs she is involved focus on food and agriculture including community gardens and nutrition.

Shirley Laban is currently working on Oxfam’s climate change program in Port Vila, has represented Oxfam at the UNFCCC and is a member of CAN Pacific. She also spent three months in Australia last year on a Prime Minister’s Scholarship. Both Mala and Shirley are working on a DFAT-funded Climate Change Community Based Adaptation program.

This seminar is being held in conjunction with Oxfam International’s Food and Climate Justice (FCJ) strategy and its GROW campaign. Oxfam International has been a global leader in campaigning for governments to respond to the inter-related problems of climate change and food security.

Oxfam argues that wild weather and unpredictable seasons are changing what farmers can grow and is making people hungry. Food prices are going up. Food quality is going down. Soon, climate change will affect what all of us can eat.

Australia’s neighbours in the South Pacific are at high risk from these developments. In this seminar, our two women speakers will tell of the impacts that climate change is having on the communities in Vanuatu and the ways in which people are working to adapt to these changes.

Show your support for climate action and RSVP to this free event now. Together, we can stop climate change making people hungry.

For more information, visit www.oxfam.org.au/grow or contact Debbie Hunt at debbieh@oxfam.org.au

LOST IDENTITY 2014

lost identity

Raechel Ivey has received citizenship in Vanuatu after finding documents proving that her great-grandparents were kidnapped in the 1800s to become slaves. Raechel’s great-grandparents James Tuku and Fanny Battingarra Contributed when Raechel Ivey first stepped foot in Vanuatu, she knew she was home. It has been a long journey for the Australian South Sea Islander to prove her heritage and regain her identity.

Raechel is one of the first South Sea Islanders to gain dual citizenship in Vanuatu and Australia. The Vanuatu Government recently made a change to its constitution allowing residents and indigenous ni-Vanuatu born overseas to hold dual citizenship. Raechel said her journey to be recognised as a citizen of Vanuatu wasn’t only for her, it was about giving her great-grandfather and great-grandmother their identity back, after it was stolen in the 1800s.

James Tuku and Fanny Battingarra were stolen from their respective homes in Vanuatu during the indentured labour trade that went on from 1847-1908. Her great-grandparents were taken to Sydney, where James’s last name was changed to Togo and he was made a gardener, while Fanny was a maid.

For Raechel, 55, it has been an emotional journey learning how her great-grandparents lost their identity, language and culture after being kidnapped. Raechel, who moved to Central Queensland more than 17 years ago from Tweed Heads in NSW, got documentation of her great-grandparent’s registration as “aliens” in Australia to prove that she is originally from Vanuatu.

In the early 1900s her great grandparents were set free and later wed and had children. While their family was raised in Australia, Raechel says she’s never felt completely at home here. “My birth certificate says I’m Aussie, but we know we were brought over here,” the Emerald woman said. “Being Australian doesn’t feel like my home; we’re not Aboriginal or Torres Strait. This documentation “shows that I belong somewhere.” After several trips to Vanuatu with documentation of her great-grandparents’ history, Raechel was granted citizenship of her home country. “I got a letter to say I’ve been approved, now I’ll go back to Vanuatu to do an oath of allegiance,” she said.

The mother of 10 plans to move back to Vanuatu in the future and begin to reconnect with family she’s found in recent years. Raechel said that while her people may have been stolen; “they didn’t steal the heart of who we really are”.

Shared history honoured at Veresdale

Shared history honoured at Veresdale

Emotions ran high on Saturday when a sculpture honouring the history between Australian South Sea Islanders (ASSI), the Mununjali community and Veresdale landholders was unveiled.

The six metre high two-tonne sculpture was hand-crafted from a fallen 200 year-old iron bark log, that was found at Mt Lindesay, by artist Kakae Pakoa who lovingly worked on the project for three months.

Mr Pakoa said his design reflected the past, the present and the future of the area. “The footprints symbolise the walk the South Sea Islanders did from Redbank Plains to Beaudesert in 1863, when it took them two days to get here to start work,” he said. “They also symbolise the future-moving forward and moving together.”

Mr Pakoa’s wife Natalie said the unveiling of the sculpture reinforced the love and healing she felt after her community’s history with the area was accepted and acknowledged by the Mununjali people. “Now when I come to Beaudesert I feel love in my heart, it is home,” she said.

Scenic Rim Regional Council Division Two Councillor Nadia O’Carroll said it was a “brilliant piece of art” and a wonderful addition to the region’s cultural heritage. Beaudesert and District Community Art Project along with council organised for the sculpture to be created as part of a legacy project of the 2013 ASSI 150 commemorations.

The sculpture sits at Hopkins Park, at Mt Lindesay Highway and Worendo Street, Veresdale on land owned by the Walker family.

Joe Eggmolesse, AO recipient 2014

joe eggmolesse

A Maryborough man has been awarded the Order of Australia medal for his service to the Indigenous community.Selwyn Joel Eggmolesse, better known as Joe, has devoted his life to community service, working for government organisations and non-for-profit groups.

Mr Eggmolesse said hearing of the honour was a great feeling, with “a little bit of excitement and pride”. “After all this time the government decided to say thank you,” Mr Eggmolesse said. “The majority of community workers work 24/7 and don’t get paid.”

Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O’Connell said Mr. Eggmolesse’s recognition was a moment of enormous pride for the Fraser Coast. “Joe epitomises what living on the Fraser Coast is all about. It’s about giving to community and continuing to appreciate the value of people.”

Mr Eggmolesse was born in Nambour and was diagnosed with leprosy as a child. He was sent to live on Fantome Island for 10 years. Mr Eggmolesse, who proudly calls himself a Kanaka, said he began working in Aboriginal affairs in 1974 in Victoria.

In the 1980s Mr Eggmolesse began work in NSW as a health promotion officer and reported on the environment Aboriginal people were living in. He is also proud of his work on the $2.8 million Namatjira Reserve Project. Mr Eggmolesse returned to Queensland in the 1990s, working in health at the Princess Alexandra hospital in Brisbane, at Wide Bay region Indigenous Health co-ordinator and at Cherbourg Community Health.

Joe retired in 1999 but it didn’t last long. “Eight weeks after being retired I went back to work ,” Mr Eggmolesse said. He finished his career with Fraser Coast Health service in 2006. He said much of his work was convincing Aboriginal clients to get help. “It was our job to help people reach out to the services.” He said his best advice was to encourage people to be a humanist.

Mr Eggmolesse is an adviser to the Fraser Coast Housing Services Board and a former member of the Maryborough Aboriginal and Islanders Elders and Community Leaders Group.

Joe Eggmolesse, AO recipient 2014

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