Indigenous

Narrandera High School student Tahlia Gilbert has been recognised for her outstanding contribution to Aboriginal education in NSW public schools at the 19th annual Nanga Mai Awards. Tahlia’s award was the outstanding all-rounder student of the year in NSW’s secondary education.

The Aboriginal art gallery, now known as ATSIAGA, will be placed on about half of the present Anzac Oval car park ... ATSIAGA stands for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia, suggesting the plan still has ambitions for national status ... there was no mention of  the assertive campaign  by traditional custodians who want the gallery to be built south of The Gap.

The Western Bundjalung community’s Ngullingah Jugun Aboriginal Corporation is working with Forestry Corporation to bring together knowledge of cultural burning with government bushfire management. A fire training course has been held in Jubullum Village, near Tabulam … the fire training will improve both the community and government response to wildfires.

Hugh Schuitemaker. The current Gerard Council will again appear before the Berri Court, in January, with a "reset" in its management needed to help the community, according to a wellknown local figure ... In response to last week's article, a State Government spokesperson said "the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs (Kyam Maher) has been made aware of the concerns that have been raised by Mr Lindsay".

Hugh Schuitemaker. A senior member of the Gerard community says accountability for ongoing poor management of the area is needed to improve living conditions for its residents. Berri man Tyson Lindsay has raised concerns surrounding continued mismanagement of the Gerard Community Council and the resulting impact on community members.

The Albanese Labor Government has placed Watarrka National Park in the Northern Territory on the National Heritage List in recognition of the site’s outstanding heritage value to Australia ... The site has been recognised for its remarkable living cultural landscape which is a physical manifestation of the Tjukurrpa and is protected by the songs, ceremonies, and culture of Anangu ngurraritja.

A single bus route in a small community might seem trivial to the Cook Labor government, but for the families who depend on it, it’s far more than just transport. It’s a lifeline that keeps communities viable, allowing families to live and work on the land while ensuring their kids can attend school without spending hours commuting each day ... This decision underscores the growing divide in our state ...

Rachel Hagan. After about a 200-year hiatus, the Narungga Nation cultural burning practices have returned to Guuranda (Yorke Peninsula) to help bring back balance to a landscape traditionally shaped by fire. Throughout the year, a series of workshops have brought the burning practice back to Country at Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park, Ardrossan grasslands and Minlagawi nature reserve.

Students at Leitchville Preschool have a new art installation to admire, and it’s one they can be proud to say they have been a part of ... Tobie Cameron, a Kalkatungu man, was commissioned to paint the artwork, and visited the preschool to discuss the concept, design and process with students and staff, and to guide them through their involvement.

Birrang Enterprise Development Company is bringing its Driver Licence Access Program (DLAP) to the back country, in the final outreach services for 2024. The program will be available in Wilcannia ... and Balranald … a free program providing support to people in NSW who face extra challenges in getting a licence.

Rainer Chlanda. Those who work in the social service sector in Alice Springs, as I do, know this fact intimately: there is an incredible amount of money funding our response to a community who have incredibly little. Our system watches as desperate people stumble and waits for them to fall before extending a paternalistic hand or one gripped around a gavel.

Narrandera Shire Council, in partnership with the Narrandera Aboriginal Elders Liaison Group, officially opened the Wiradjuri Honour Wall at Marie Bashir Park in Narrandera on Saturday. This event celebrated and honoured the rich cultural heritage and achievements of the Wiradjuri people. Wiradjuri elder Aunty Jennifer Johnson had the honour of cutting the ribbon...

If the various State and Federal Ministers for Agriculture really want to make a statement that offers opportunities for Aboriginal people, then start with the existing 40 million hectares of the Indigenous-owned estate and unshackle them from the dead hand of government bureaucracy and red and green tape. But such a move would give the few Indigenous Australians who live on these properties real self-determination, the right to own their own land outright, access to capital and the right to get rich or go broke ...

The Cad Factory, National Museum of Australia and Petaurus Education Group are delighted to announce the launch of the River Country tour in Narrandera this month. River Country explores the cultural, creative and spiritual connections with Murray-Darling rivers and wetlands.

The Northern Rivers Conservatorium is pleased to host Women Of Song in its Concert Room ... Women of Song is an authentic show of conversations and songs, articulating First Nations cultural practice in the here and now, live on stage. It's an innovative new show, developed by the acclaimed Jessie Lloyd ...

Central Australian Aboriginal Congress rarely misses an opportunity to preach its alcohol control gospel. This time it’s a lecture for the new NT Government not to wind back supply regulations lest this leads to “a wave of alcohol related domestic violence, assaults, and social disorder”. And as previously, the health NGO’s reasoning is based on selected facts supporting its objectives.

Kerry Cain. The new Indigenous Interpretive garden space, garingilang gatjin wii, at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery in Maryborough, was the setting for an arts and cultural talks afternoon last Sunday. Djaara Elders Aunty Marilyne Nicholls and Uncle Rick Nelson co-shared cultural talks about Country and explained the use of chosen stones, plants and rock wells.

Rachel Hagan. Another year and another huge success for the annual Minlagawi Nature Festival with about 200 attendees engaging with culture and their community, while taking in a deep breath of fresh air ... The event was all about connecting with nature while learning about Nharangga culture.

Lismore City Council through Lismore Regional Gallery and the Quadrangle are proud to present a new First Nations-led creative wellbeing program launching with multi-sensory exhibition ‘Grounded’ this October … an innovative exhibition featuring the works of Widjabul-Wiabul/Yaegl sound and performance artist Mitch King and socially engaged artist and filmmaker Karenza Ebejer.

The light installations are installed, and following last night’s rehearsal for Calling Country ceremony - Shine on Gimuy kicked off on 3 October 2024 - with a Friday to Sunday program of music, poetry, comedy and conversations and more at the Salt House HQ. The stunning light installations that comprise the Artstory Light Walk will be in place until 13 October.

Corryong College students Seb Rowlinson, Layne Klippel and Zoe McKimmie were three of nine young people who were accepted to participate in the recent Kimberley Cultural Extension Trip program. Seb reports on the trip ... "We hopped into the utes and hit the road, headed for El Questro Station. After a three-hour drive ..."