7/12/01
A television documentary, a trail through a cemetery, a harmony day and recording stories of Aboriginal people in the Murchison-Gascoyne are among projects benefiting from the State Government's first Community Reconciliation Grants scheme.
Announcing the successful applicants in the first round of the grants today, Indigenous Affairs Minister Alan Carpenter said the 13 projects were grass-roots events that would promote reconciliation in the most appropriate way for each community.
"The grants, totalling $55,000 in the first round, are a reflection of what local people believe will be most effective in their local community," Mr Carpenter said.
"The diversity of the projects was impressive and show a commitment to reconciliation."
The grants fulfil a Government election promise to spend $100,000 on reconciliation projects.
Applications were jointly assessed at the local level by each of the Department of Indigenous Affairs' managers from the State's seven regions, a member of the Regional Commission of Elders and a local representative of the Stolen Generation.
Applications for the second round of grants of up to $5,000 each will be called in February.
The successful applicants in the current round of grants were:
South Metropolitan Region
Naramya Aboriginal Corporation ($5,000)
A cultural activities day to coincide with the official opening of Nara Park in Rockingham. This will include mounting Aboriginal art and craft displays to raise awareness among the wider community.
Kidlink - Koorliny Together ($5,000)
Partially funding a television documentary about the history of Kwinana from an Indigenous perspective. The 52-minute documentary explores and details Kwinana's culturally unique history prior to the industrial development.
The project is being run jointly by Kidlink Organisation, the Town of Kwinana, the Indigenous community and various other State and community-based organisations.
Kimberley Region
Broome Aboriginal Media Association ($5,000)
Holding a Reconciliation Forum 2002, between the months of April - June to enable the public to discuss and share issues relevant to the reconciliation debate.
SBS television personality Mary G will host the forum and will be a drawcard to attract members of various communities that would not otherwise attend such meetings.
The forum is being organised jointly by the BAMA and Goolarri Media. Goolarri is contributing an additional $3,000 to the project and the organisers plan to raise a further $2,000 in sponsorship.
Shire of Derby/West Kimberley ($5,000)
Making an interpretative trail through the Derby Indigenous and Derby Pioneer cemetery commemorating the lives of those buried there, along with historical recordings on their lives. The project will also involve preservation, conservation and restoration work.
Indigenous and non-Indigenous history and stories will be recorded and preserved before they are lost forever. The project will bring together Indigenous and non-Indigenous organisations, groups and individuals to put together the recorded history and stories as well as helping physically restore the cemetery.
Pilbara Region
Wanga Maya Pilbara Aboriginal Language Centre ($5,000)
Holding four workshops in Port Hedland with Aboriginal people and the general public in association with the Pilbara Group of 'Australians for Reconciliation'.
The project is designed to raise awareness about local Aboriginal culture and to share knowledge and stories.
Youth Involvement Council ($5,000)
Conducting two overnight bush camps out of Port Hedland for young people from Indigenous and non-Indigenous families.
The purpose is to bring them together to share information that will challenge their interpretation of each other's culture.
Murchison-Gascoyne Region
Birdunga Wajarri & Ngarla (Yulga Jinna Community) ($5,000)
Recording stories of the Birdunga Wajarri and Ngarla people in Meekatharra.
These will be used in schools as educational material to assist in the teaching of Aboriginal studies and reconciliation.
Geraldton Yamatji Aboriginal Patrol Corporation ($5,000)
Organising a range of activities over the Christmas period for the homeless and itinerant clients of the Yamatji Patrol.
The project involves Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff working together with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal clients.
Goldfields Region
Black Swan Theatre ($5,000)
Indigenous people will be employed in Kalgoorlie to lay the groundwork for ongoing cultural activity in the Goldfields Region by documenting local stories and culture.
The Black Swan Theatre intends to develop partnerships with the Ninga Mia Aboriginal community, Goldfields Art Centre and the City of Kalgoorlie/Boulder to present the play Mamu.
This is a play co-written by local Indigenous actor Trevor Jamieson and deals with the movement of Wonguthu at the time of the Maralinga Atomic Testing.
Bay of Isles Aboriginal Corporation ($5,000)
Constructing an Early Childhood Reconciliation Pathway in the Aboriginal Kindy's play area in Esperance.
This will be a permanent structure that will be shared by the many children who attended the Nulsen Aboriginal Kindy.
Great Southern Region
Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation ($1,500)
Holding cultural and other activities for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people at Brookton Reserve.
Seabrook community has been holding reunions for the past six years at Boojun Rock near Brookton. More than 400 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people have participated. There has been storytelling, singing and other cultural activities. Non-Aboriginal people have participated by bringing vintage cars and other items to the weekend event.
Mount Barker Senior High School ($2,000)
Building a climbing wall to be used by all students at Mount Barker School.
This will create the opportunity for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children to actively participate and communicate with each other.
Rainbow Coast Family Services ($1,500)
Project involves working in conjunction with the Aboriginal community and other stakeholders to celebrate Harmony Day during March 2002. The celebrations will be held free at the Esplanade Hotel, Albany, and will include a fashion parade, cultural dancing and traditional Aboriginal food.
Minister's Office: 9213 6800
