Indigenous

On 23 August 2021, the Ombudsman release a redacted report into his investigation of Council’s historic billing practices. The trigger for the investigation was a complaint in 2018 from the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement on behalf of Aboriginal people into Council’s electricity and water billing practices ... Council acknowledges, and is sorry for, the harm and mistrust caused by its past billing practices, is committed to implementing all of the recommendations in the report, and welcomes all community input as to how we can move forward together.

National Indigenous Radio Service. A recent investigation by the South Australian Ombudsman has found the remote council of Coober Pedy in the state’s north, pressured Aboriginal residents into requesting money from Native Title funds to help pay off their overdue electricity and water bills.

Under the proposal, a portion of the site will be transferred to the Grafton Ngerrie LALC to support better outcomes for the Aboriginal community, and successfully resolve an Aboriginal land claim. Another parcel of land adjacent to Grafton Base Hospital will be transferred to NSW Health ... the SE portion, which comprises significant heritage items, will be set aside for future adaptive reuse with heritage protections in place ...

Queensland Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the Federal Court will recognise the Warrgamay People’s long-standing rights to more than 185,000 hectares of land and water at a virtual hearing ... the decision covers an area from Lucinda on the coast, up to and along the Seaview Range and into Girringun National Park.

The Territory Labor Government has released the first Closing the Gap NT Implementation Plan in partnership with Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT and Local Government Association NT.

In a major milestone for Torres Strait Islanders, Queensland has progressed legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing practice with the opening of the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) in Cairns ... Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa Commissioner C’Zarke Maza said the office would support life-long aspirations among many Torres Strait Islanders by improving access to support, services and opportunities.

A new subdivision, an Elders residence and a men’s shed will be the legacy projects left behind in Pormpuraaw by the Australian Army, but friendships and positive influences will leave a far greater impact.

Local Whyalla resident and proud Barngarla woman Jody Croft was recently commissioned by Whyalla City Council to create four original artworks to fit the newly designed First Nation Trail from Douglas Point North to Fitzgerald Bay.

Visitors on the “Savanah Way” west of Cairns can soak up traditional culture and enjoy the enchanting landscapes of Ewamian country with the official opening of Talaroo Hot Springs, as part of the Palaszczuk Government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan. Assistant Qld Tourism Minister Michael Healy said Talaroo Hot Springs, beside the Einasleigh River, was opened by the Ewamian Aboriginal Corporation.

The Papulu Apparr-Kari Aboriginal Corporation is currently working on eight books to be a resource of plants and animals in the Indigenous languages they work with. They are selling merchandise and seeking support to help continue with their many language projects.

Four Hope Vale locals with family ties to the Lama Lama people have begun work as rangers with Yintjingga Aboriginal Corporation thanks to the support of the Hope Vale Community Development Program. Marcus Bowen, Levi Flinders and Dylan and Harold Nipper have now joined the team undertaking land management works in the Lama Lama National Park, 300km north-west of Cooktown.

Patty Mills for Prime Minister – that was the call on Saturday night as the star basketballer drained 42 points to lead the Boomers to their first ever Olympic medal. The Torres Strait Island product was amazing in all the big moments as he led Australia to a 107-93 win against Slovenia to pick up a much-deserved bronze medal. Bronze felt like “rose gold” to Mills.

The Territory Labor Government  and  Aboriginal  and community sector  leaders have today signed a ground-breaking Agreement to deliver a safer community and better justice outcomes for Aboriginal Territorians. The Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA) is the first of its kind in the Territory.

The Community Hub hosted felting workshops in June to create beanies for the Alice Springs Beanie Festival. Entries were sent down for display, judging and possible sale, and life went on. So it was a pleasant surprise to find three of the entries won awards.

The Local Government Illegal Dumping Partnerships Program (LGIDPP), a collaborative project between North Burnett Regional Council, South Burnett Regional Council and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, is a very positive way for Councils to build a relationship and look after Country.

Catherine Grimley. Tennant Creek’s NAIDOC festivities ended on a high note on Saturday with a community gathering at Nyinkka Nyunyu. Tjupi Band played their hearts out for the crowd, even being joined on stage by Mayor Jeffrey McLaughlin, who got a reminder of how long it has been since he played hand drums, and what muscles he needs to use to play them.

Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch said he was blown away by the progress of a number of Cape York communities during last week’s trip across the Peninsula ... He said he was particularly impressed with the work being done by the Lockhart River and Mapoon councils. “I was very, very encouraged to see what they are doing.” ... While in Weipa, Mr Entsch said he had a positive sit down with Rio Tinto to discuss normalisation.

Patrick Mills sunk his first basket on Thursday Island, but his journey to international stardom has rarely been in the Torres Strait. Over the next two weeks, he will attempt to lead the Boomers to a historic medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Territorians, businesses and industry are now invited to give feedback on the draft Territory Space Strategy for 2021-25. The Territory Government is developing a new space strategy to support the future growth of the space industry, attract investment and identify potential projects.

This notice appeared in Tennant & District Times, 23 July 2021.