Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade – Director | Vanuatu Section | Melanesia Branch | Pacific Division, 1 November 2019
~ Ms Charlene Watego
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade congratulates the Australian South Sea Islander Association Port Jackson on holding a successful Sugar Fest 2019. The event was valuable in raising awareness of the recognition by Australian Commonwealth and State Governments of Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group and their valuable contribution to all aspects of Australian society. The event highlighted the historical and enduring cultural ties between Australian South Sea Islanders and the Pacific Island nations, particularly Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.
Australia’s aid program to Vanuatu supports improving the lives and economic opportunities of the people of Vanuatu, and in particular, women. The Department strongly supported the exchanges arranged by ASSI PJ with ni-Vanuatu women handicraft vendors. This exchange not only provided valuable cultural knowledge to the ASSI community, but provided valuable opportunities for these women to sell their crafts. This exchange complements Australia’s aid program which supports the development of skills and the establishment of small businesses in Vanuatu, including identifying exporting opportunities to Australia.”
Australian National Maritime Museum, 20 October 2019
~ Dr Stephen Gapps
“I congratulate the ASSI Port Jackson group for such a wonderful and important event. The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) was honoured to be the first Federal Government Institution to raise the ASSI flag on the 25th anniversary of Commonwealth recognition of the Australian South Sea Islander community.
The flag raising was a significant moment for the museum and it will now be conducted every year. Indeed, the museum has taken the flag that was used for the event into the National Maritime Collection in recognition of its significance to the ASSI community and to Australian maritime heritage.”
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vanuatu, 17 October 2019
~ Hon. Ralph Regenvanu
“Sugar Fest 2019 was a powerful event as it brought together people from all over Australia, Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands to a site of great historical significance for Australian South Sea Islanders to express themselves and share the Blackbirding experience. A powerful event and I hope it will become annual.”
Pyrmont History Group, 17 September 2019
~ Professor Donald Denoon – Co Convenor
“Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson is the most energetic, ambitious and surprising community group in Pyrmont. Inspired by Chairwoman (Waskam) Emelda Davis, ASSI-PJ celebrates the Island heritage of Australian South Sea Islanders, their many contributions to Australian society, and their formal recognition in 1994.”
NSW Council for Pacific Communities, 4th March 2019
~ Mrs. Mal Fruean – President
“As Chairwoman of New South Wales Council for Pacific Communities (NSWCPC), I admire the deliberation and team work of Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson). Their work has made a significate difference to raising the awareness. ASSIPJ were recognised by the NSW Council for Pacific Communities at our statewide Pacific Award, they received multiple awards for their state, national and international capacity building workshops and presentations.”
Independent Member for Sydney, 14 February 2019
~ Alex Greenwich MP
“I’ve worked with the inspiring Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson on the campaign for recognition of Australia’s cruel history ‘blackbirding’ South Sea Islanders. I admire their determination to expose this terrible past and reconcile for the future.”
Bianca Hennessy, 11 June 2014
“It is apparent that ASSI-PJ and the Wantok conferences employ many tools for strength. They mobilise communities, commemorate tragedy, lobby governments and help individuals to learn about their families and reconnect with the culture of their ancestors. But perhaps the greatest strength is ASSI-PJ’s capacity to not only fight to change the future of ASSI people, but to feel grateful to be able to do so.”
Visit: A Blackbirded past a Healing Future.