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Session CP2: Working together in an urban space: community partnerships

1. R. Galea and Shareen Clayton: The experience of a non-Aboriginal, non-government agency

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Abstract

Non-Aboriginal, non-government agencies providing services for Aboriginal families, face a number of challenges not only in initial engagement of families but more importantly in sustaining long-term program participation and credibility amongst the local community in recognition that the local community is small and mostly made up of members that have migrated here from regional and rural settings. During 2006-2009, BCRG developed and implemented an early childhood program in Bankstown, that aimed to build the skills and capacity of Aboriginal families with children aged 0-5 to engage in story telling and reading with their children. A central phiolosophy of the program is that to achieve long-term positive outcomes for Aboriginal children and their families, programs must incorporate the cultural needs of children and include meaningful Elder and extended family participation in all aspects of program development. How is this done in a meaningful way when most families are relatively new to the area, where local Elders are few and have a low profile and how does a non-Aboriginal agency ensure they do not get involved in community factions? A number of organisational and operational issues arose in undertaking this program. The implementaion highlighted the urgent need to discuss the likely success of programs for Aboriginal children within the context of non-Aboriginal organisational structures and community dynamics. This paper presents a number of practical issues for consideration that resulted from BCRG’s experience and thoughtful reflection over the last 8 years working with the Aborignal community in the Bansktown Local Government Area.

Author bio:

Rebecca Galea has an Honors degree in Cultural Geography from the University of Wollongong, she is the Executive Officer of the Bankstown Community Resource Group Inc a small ngo located in south west Sydney, she was a finalist in the NGO CEO of the year in 2008 and teaches community development strategies and systems advocacy at TAFE.

2. Bo Svoronos: What local government and Indigenous community factors are involved in the production of a metropolitan Indigenous festival program?

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Abstract

The Yalukit Wilam Ngargee: People Place Gathering is the opening Indigenous festival in the ten day St Kilda Festival program. Produced by a local council the Yalukit Wilam Ngargee hosts a main music festival day and a series of satellite programs including visual art exhibitions, theatre productions, forums, workshops and cultural heritage walks. Held in a metropolitan area with a large non-Indigenous support base the last four festivals have developed over three years attempting to incorporate employment initiatives, training and development and the celebration of Indigenous Bay Culture. One of the festivals' primary objectives is environmental and social sustainability, incorporating measures such as environmental auditing to monitor carbon emissions. It has become clear that to hold and sustain this festival are a complex range of relationships needing to be negotiated and re-negotiated, spanning community, government and corporate partnerships.

Author bio

Bo Svoronos is the Indigenous Arts Officer for the City of Port Phillip, he programs and produces the Yalukit Wilam Ngargee: People Place Gathering and is currently a PhD student at RMIT researching Local Identity Global Focus: Examining the spaces of reciprocity and community identity within an Indigenous festival.

3. F. Rossiter, S. Fernando, D. Monaghan, B. Turnbull, G. Fuller and A. Ryan: The Gaanhabula (Canobolas) connection: a story of Orange city

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Abstract

Orange City is in Wiradjuri country in Central NSW. The story starts many thousands of years ago when Aboriginal peoples lived, traversed and hunted in this highland region. At some stage after the arrival of European settlers the Aboriginal peoples were forced out of the region. There is no reason to believe that the treatment of Aborigines in Orange/Bathurst was any different to documented treatment in other rural areas. In fact the presence of the Aboriginal resistance leader Windradyne in the early 1800s in the region was a response to the violent Aboriginal-settler conflicts of the time. Fast forward to the 20th century when in the 1970s the Federal Government instigated a “family resettlement program” which aimed to resettle Aboriginal families from the river town of north west NSW to urban areas where there expected to be employment and housing opportunities as well as education for the children. This was a voluntary scheme, however anecdotal evidence suggests that the options for families were live a life of river poverty or take the resettlement option. Many families resettled in Orange. In the early 1980s Council employed an Aboriginal community worker in recognition of the special needs of these families. In 1988 Orange City Council undertook a study into the places from whence the Aboriginal families came. The result had an impact on the Cities development ever since – families had relocated from some 43 different towns. This revelation lead to the understanding that the community had a very diverse group of resettlers, many of whom would bring with them issues both cultural and personal that did not meet the anglo-saxon image of homogeneity. In some ways it was like resettling families from many areas of Europe and expecting them to get along. Orange City Council has had a proactive relationship with the members of the Aboriginal community and has over many years worked with different groups to achieve improved services and connections to underpin support systems to build self confidence and independence.. In 2005 Council and the Aboriginal Community reached an agreed statement of commitment which has underpinned future programs and relationships. In the first decade of the new millennium some of the projects partnered with groups in the Aboriginal community, facilitated, supported and auspiced by the Council have included: Flying the Aboriginal flag; Aboriginal development strategy; Development of a joint statement of commitment; Acknowledgement of country; Aboriginal community plan 2007-2011; Auspicing funding for training programs; Aboriginal employment strategy project; Aboriginal Medical Service; Better Pathways; Koori Bubs And Nanna Care Program; Bush Babies Playgroup; Child care training; Pre-work experience workshops for aboriginal women; International women’s day 2008 -council supported a large number of aboriginal women in attending this important day of celebration, Men of Canobolas - Gaanhabula Gibir; Mobconnection: a sense of place through identity; Merge holiday activity program Naidoc week support; Wiradjuri cultural and learning centre; Awarded council of the year, 2008 by the nsw local government aboriginal network; Provide funding for the aboriginal dance group for aboriginal girls; Supported the Wiradjuri language program; Developed a framework for Aboriginal community development. There are many challenges in our community and as each challenge is met a new one seems to emerge – such is the dynamic of a modern urban community.

Author bios

Cr Fiona Rossiter: Fiona was elected to Orange City Council in 2004, where she is the Chair of the Services Policy Committee.  She is a Registered Theatre nurse of 10 years, is committed to presenting family issues and advocating for that sector of the community having developed a number websites devoted to assisting others in this area. Fiona is married with a family of 6 children and providing foster care to other children. Fiona is a keen supporter of a number of local fundraising initiatives especially for the less fortunate; she is a Board member on several boards and as a Councillor is committed to developing positive outcomes in partnership with the Aboriginal community. Fiona has recently received a scholarship to participate in the Australian Rural Leadership Program.

Susan Fernando: Susan was born in Walgett which is Kamilaroi country. She went to Year 10 at Walgett then moved to Dubbo and trained in secretarial studies. She worked in Legal Aid, the Medical Service and moved around from Dubbo to Newcastle to Bourke then to Orange 15 years ago. All these moves were to be close to family. Susan has 3 children, who all consider Orange home.
Susan recently completed the Certificate 3 in Child Care and has started a hospitality course. Susan has been involved with the Orange Women's Gathering and Bush Babies. Her cousin in Walgett who leads the men's group is a source of advice for Susan about her group’s direction.

Daphne Monaghan: Daphne was born on Tibooburra which is Wangkumara country. She moved to Indoora, Qld and completed school to Year 7 there. Daphne worked in pubs until she started her family and was a full time mum. From Qld the family moved to Bourke, Cobar and then to Orange in the late 1990s. Daphne has 5 children and 18 grandchildren. She is a foster carer for DoCS and Anglicare, is involved with Bush Babies, teaches weaving and is involved at Glenroi Public (Primary) and Canobolas High schools.

Brian Turnbull: Brian was born in Goondiwindi which is Bigambul country. He went to school at Dirranbandi until Year 9. He moved to Goodooga to shear for 6 weeks and stayed for 18 years. He loved it there. Brian has been in Orange since 1999. He likes working with and looking after kids through the local program for school aged children - Merge and Better Pathways - and sometimes drives the bus for the local Aboriginal Lands Council.

Gail Fuller: Gail was born in Dubbo which is Wiradjuri country. She went to Year 10 then undertook studies at TAFE in secretarial studies and computing. Gail did not go to work then, instead started her family, she has 6 children. She's been in Orange for 15-16 years and retains a strong connection to Dubbo. Gail is involved with Bush Babies, the Orange Women's Gathering, and has now completed the Certificate 3 in Child Care. She is looking for work.

Albert Ryan: Albert Ryan was born in Dubbo, a direct descendant of the Tubba-gah and Bulgandramine people from the Wiradjuri nation. He went to schools at various locations before completing Yr 10 in Dubbo in 1978, and lived in Orange in the early 1980s. Albert began employment in the bricklaying field before travelling, doing seasonal and labouring work.  He returned to Orange in 2006, where he is now the Aboriginal Health Education Officer at Community Health Centre. Albert has completed a Cert IV ATSI Primary Health Care. Alby is also involved in community activities such as MERGE Holiday program, Mobsport, Youth Conferences, setting up Coonabahloo Gibir (Men of Canobolas Men’s Group of which he is the Chairperson), board member of Orange Land Council, member of NAIDOC Committee and outgoing Aboriginal Male Person of the Year (2008-09) for the Orange area.