Australian South Sea Islanders National Representative Board.
The election held at WANTOK 2013, on the 3rd of November heralded the Australian South Sea Islanders National Representative Board… a landmark achievement.
The board members are – Natalie Pakoa – President, Dennis Bobongie – Vice President, Alan Johnson – Treasurer, Jennifer Darr – Secretary, Lesley Yasso, Natalie Franks, Louise Pfeffer, Sandra Georgio, Christine Monday, Darryl Lingwoodock, Fiona Mount, Emelda Davis.
Professor Gracelyn Smallwood speaks out to Australian South Sea Islanders with her talk on ‘Community Cohesion and Activism’ at this year’s Wantok 2013 National Forum.
As a surviving descendant of the Blackbirding trade in Australia between 1863 and 1908, Professor Smallwood will be presenting a talk on ‘Community Cohesion and Activism’ at this years Wantok 2013 Australian South Sea Islanders National Forum in her capacity as leader of the Historical Advisory Panel to the ASSI.PJ interim national body.
Smallwood says… “When people in general don’t understand the history of Slavery they internalise their pain and take it out on the very people that are trying to promote unity, justice and reparation”. She looks forward to presenting at Wantok 2013 and answering any questions.
Emelda Davis says… “The ASSI-PJ board are humbled that Professor Smallwood is a volunteer advisor to the interim national body with her high range of qualifications. We look forward to Gracelyn’s presentation and continued work with our organisation.”
As well as a being scholar in residence at Drexel University Philadelphia USA, Gracelyn has lectured in cross-cultural studies at the East-West Centre in Hawaii and has also lectured at Universities in the West Indies comparing the philosophy of the late Marcus Garvey, Civil Rights Movement of the world with that of the South Sea Islander (Kanaka Slavery in Australia). Continue reading
The Vanuatu delegation participating in Wantok 2013
The Vanuatu delegation participating in Wantok 2013 – Australian South Sea Islanders National Forum are (from left to right sitting in the front row): Former MP David Abel (CEO, Australia-Vanuatu Connections Inc), Hon. Ralph Regenvanu (Minister of Lands), Chief Richard Fandunamata (Vice-Chair, Vanuatu Indigenous Descendants Association), Chief Simon Kaukare (Chair, Vanuatu Indigenous Descendants Association).
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Vanuatu Indigenous Descendants Association will be representing the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs, on behalf of all chiefs of Vanuatu.Minister Regenvanu will be representing Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil and the Government of Vanuatu at the Conference.
Minister Regenvanu will be traveling to Brisbane to join the rest of the delegation on Thursday (31st October).
The ASSI-PJ welcomes the delegation to Brisbane and looks forward to their valuable input at this historic event.
This year’s Wantok 2013 to be opened by Hon. Jane Prentice on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Dignitaries that will be attending the opening ceremony including:
Hon. Jane Prentice MP – on behalf of Prime Minister Tony Abbott.
Aunty Carole Currie – South East Queensland Elder from Jugura Country – Welcome.
Cr. Angela Owen-Taylor – Deputy Lord Mayor, Brisbane.
Please Download the amended 3 Day Programme by clicking the link below:
file updated: 29th October 2013
WANTOK 2012 was a huge success!
With only 2 weeks to this year’s WANTOK 2013 Australian South Sea Islanders National Forum, the ASSI-PJ would like to extend an invitation for all ASSIs to attend and to get involved in this historic event.
This year’s event will be extra special for two reasons… firstly because 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first South Sea Islanders to Queensland in 1863.
This important milestone highlights Australian South Sea Islanders’ unique history and important contribution to Australia and Queensland in the development of the sugar industry and as sports people, artists, soldiers, civic leaders and most importantly, citizens.
Secondly, on this occasion Australian South Sea Islanders from all around Australia will gather to elect their first national governing bodies – a permanent National ASSI secretariat and a secretariat board of directors to represent the interests of all Australian South Sea Islanders.
So if you want to get involved and to have your say, register now to attend this year’s WANTOK 2013 National Forum.
