Welcome to the third edition of our newsletter for Stolen Generations' individuals and organisations.

This edition we have reports on some of the successful activities that Stolen Generations' organisations held to commemorate the second Apology Anniversary, as well as updates from FaHCSIA and information on available funding opportunities.

The Stolen Generations' Newsletter aims to highlight the fantastic work being achieved by members of the Stolen Generations and Stolen Generations' organisations across the country. So if you or your organisation has an upcoming activity or project that you would like us to include in future editions of Stolen Generations' Newsletter contact us with the information. We also love to share creative works, so contributions to our Expressions section are more than welcome!

The Stolen Generations' Newsletter is a quarterly publication, however, if anything important arises that cannot wait until the next edition, we will send you an email update.

News from FaHCSIA

Find out about changes and updates in government policy's and programs that may affect you as well as other FAHCISA activities for Stolen Generations'.

Capacity building workshops for Stolen Generations' organisations

Places still available for the Stolen Generations’ Capacity Building Workshops “How to access funding”.

These workshops are for organisations that work with, or advocate on behalf of, the Stolen Generations.  Places are also available for Stolen Generations’ individuals who are thinking of starting a group that may not be a formal organisation.

During these workshops participants will gain knowledge and understanding about:

• Accessing funding from a range of sources including government, corporate and philanthropic.
• Writing a competitive funding application.
• Working within funding cycles and environments.
• Identifying and building relationships with stakeholders.
• Demonstrating good leadership and governance in securing funding.

Currently workshops are scheduled for:

• Sydney, 12 March 2010
• Adelaide, 12 April 2010
• Darwin, 14 April 2010
• Melbourne, 11 May 2010
• Brisbane, 28 May 2010
• Perth, 9 June 2010
• Sydney, 16 June 2010

The Department will arrange travel and accommodation (where necessary) for successful applicants who reside outside of the cities where workshops are scheduled.  Travel will be to the workshop nearest their home location.

Please indicate your interest in attending one of these workshops by emailing StolenGenerations@fahcsia.gov.au.

Indigenous leadership development opportunities

FaHCSIA offers leadership development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) people over 18 years of age.

Separate training is offered for Indigenous women and men. Indigenous young people in particular are encouraged to participate.

The Indigenous Leadership Program has been running since 2004. Excitingly, over 6,000 Indigenous Australians have already participated in leadership development and as a result they have experienced positive changes in their lives.

Leadership development can assist you to become a strong leader through:

• inspiring you to reach your highest potential
• encouraging you to share a positive vision for Indigenous people
• supporting you to gain knowledge, skills and unique experiences
• empowering your personal leadership journey and supporting you to mentor upcoming leaders
• providing you with the skills to help you reach your goals and inspire and help those around you.

Participating in the Indigenous Leadership Program will enable you to embark on a journey of self-discovery and development that will enhance your leadership abilities for yourself, your family, your community and your nation.

The Indigenous Leadership Program leads Indigenous people to bigger actions and opportunities. It helps emerging and potential leaders on their journey to stronger leadership, which in turn will build stronger families and stronger communities.

Registration for the 2010-11 Indigenous Leadership Program registration opens April 2010.

For more information about available opportunities and how to register, contact Leadership Delivery Branch on 1800 249 873 (free call) email indigenousleadership@.gov.au or visit Indigenous Leadership Program

National Library of Australia's Bringing Them Home Oral History Project goes online

To mark the second anniversary of the apology, the National Library, with assistance from FaHCSIA, has launched a special website for the Bringing Them Home Oral History Project. The site features the stories of people who were affected by the removal of Indigenous children from their families.

In December 1997, in response to the first recommendation of Bringing Them Home: Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, the Commonwealth Government announced that the National Library would be funded to develop and manage an oral history project.

The Bringing Them Home Oral History Project ran from 1998 to 2002 and served to collect and preserve the stories of Indigenous people and others, such as missionaries, police and administrators involved in or affected by the process of child removals.

To listen to these stories, visit DigitalCollections.

[ top ]

News from the Field

Take a look at what is happening on the ground around the country as we profile some exciting news and successful projects from Stolen Generations’ organisations.

Second anniversary of the Motion of Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples, 13 February 2010

To celebrate the second anniversary of the Apology, FAHCSIA offered funding (up to $500 per organisation) to Stolen Generations' organisations to run activities to mark this important date. Activities funded included community get-togethers, memorial services, talking circles, information stalls and art workshops.

Featured below are some of the many organisations who participated in the Anniversary event.

Pius X Aboriginal Corporation

Moree residents met on Friday 12 February to pay tribute to the Stolen Generations on the anniversary of the Apology. The ceremony included an emotional speech by Margaret Sampson as well as the unveiling of a plaque at the Sorry Garden near the facility by vice president Peter Duncan and board member Glen Crump. Students from both the high school and preschool attended the morning tea and DVD screening about the Stolen Generations.

Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council

On Friday 12 February 2010, a morning tea was held to mark the second anniversary of the Apology at the Batemans Bay Local Aboriginal Land Council, Batemans Bay.

Approximately 30 people gathered for a morning tea get-together which included a special tribute to the Stolen Generations' by the Land Council's chairman.

Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative

Bendigo and District Aboriginal Cooperative together with the City of Greater Bendigo held a community morning tea at Eaglehawk's Canterbury gardens on Monday 15 February 2010. Local Stolen Generation members shared their stories and experiences with the community.

Aboriginal women's healing gathering

On Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2009 approximately 65 women from regional country areas of New South Wales participated in a Healing workshop at the Aboriginal Women's Healing House Picton.

Barbra Asplet, Coordinator/Facilitator for Aboriginal Women's Healing House opened the two day healing workshop and Mrs Glenda Chalker, Local Aboriginal Elder, welcomed participants to her Country. Workshop speakers included Elder Mrs Vilma Ryan, Mrs Evelyn Barker and daughter Ms Alison Salt "Family Connections, Family Values", Mrs Pat Doolan "Grief and Loss, Healing Oneself" and Ms Margaret Campbell "Culture and Ceremony".

There was great communication, sharing and learning. "It was about being accountable for our communities, understanding bush people, city people. There was a lot of laughter, sharing and crying" said Barbara Asplet.

Aboriginal Women's Healing House was funded by FaHCSIA through the Stolen Generations' Organisations' Funding in June 2009.

Stolen Generations attend All Stars match

A number of Stolen Generations attended the inaugural All Stars v Indigenous All Stars match on 13 February 2010. Held on the second anniversary of the Apology to Indigenous Australians, the pre-match entertainment included a moments silence for the Stolen Generations to remember their grief, suffering and loss. The match was a resounding success with a 16-12 win to the Indigenous All Stars.

The match celebrated Indigenous culture in Australia and featured the NRL's current best players. The game was played at Skilled Park on Queensland's Gold Coast in front of almost 27 000 fans who came from every state and territory in Australia to be part of this unique event.

Introduction to the Stolen Generations Alliance - Australians for Healing, Truth and Justice

Just in case you are wondering who the Stolen Generations Alliance (SGA) are and what we do - here is a short introduction. Of course the best way to get to know us is to talk with one of us face to face. We encourage anyone who is interested to get in touch with SGA representatives and organisations in your local area and we have provided some contact details below.

The SGA was formed in 2007 with three basic principles as the foundations for its work - Healing, Truth and Justice. We are a national representative and advocacy organisation with a network of groups and individuals around Australia who work to ensure Stolen Generations voices are heard. We know that many of the needs and concerns of Stolen Generations and their families still need to be addressed. We believe all these issues are covered by the principles of Healing, Truth and Justice including the 54 recommendations in the Bringing Them Home Report (HREOC 1997).

For the SGA this means that the Truth is told through telling the true stories, educating, learning and understanding Stolen Generations experiences, Justice is delivered through comprehensive reparations, redress and compensation for Stolen Generations and Healing is supported through reconnecting and restoring identity, acceptance and belonging for Stolen Generations and their families. The SGA is committed to continuing this work as long as it is needed.

The SGA has over 200 years collective experience amongst its Executive and State and Territory delegates who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians as well as non-Indigenous Australians. We acknowledge and respect those who walked this journey before us and honour their work. We work together in mutually respectful and cooperative ways with and for Stolen Generations to meet their needs and raise their issues.

The SGA has representatives in Broome, Perth and Albany in WA, Darwin and Alice Springs covering the NT, Adelaide and Port Augusta in SA, Melbourne in Victoria, Canberra in ACT, several based in Sydney and one in Bowraville  in NSW as well as representatives from Brisbane, Mt Isa and Cape York in Queensland. The SGA would love to hear from Stolen Generations and their supporters in these and other areas and regions. We are particularly interested in hearing from Stolen Generations in Tasmania as this is the only State that doesn’t have any representatives on the Alliance at the moment.

The SGA believes there are still many stories and Truth that needs to be told, Healing of hearts and spirits, and Justice that needs to be delivered wholeheartedly by our nation. These are our next steps and these principles guide our way. The SGA welcomes all who want get involved and help our nation to face its truths, heal its spirit, deliver justice and move forward with pride.

For further information please go to our website: www.sgalliance.org.au or contact our Acting National Coordinator, Gillian Brannigan on her mobile: 0407 465 218 or on her email at: gillian.brannigan@gmail.com

National Sorry Day Committee

National Sorry Day 2010 'SORRY. Still Living on Borrowed Time!'

This year mark's the 10th Anniversary since the Sydney Harbour Bridge Walk. The National Sorry Day Committee invites all Australians to walk across their local bridges while carrying the symbolic 'Stolen Generations Track Home' feet.

For details and to register visit the National Sorry Day Committee's website.

[ top ]

Grants and Funding Opportunities

Keep up to date on the latest grants and funding opportunities available to help you achieve your goals.

Where do I go for funding for local community NAIDOC activities?

Your nearest Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) may be able to assist with information regarding funding for community NAIDOC activities. To be connected to your local Indigenous Coordination Centre (ICC) call 1800 079 098, except in Nhulunbuy area call 1800 089 148 Kalgoorlie area call 1800 193 357 and Kununurra area call 1800 193 348. For more information, please visit NAIDOC website.

Benefit Funds

Provider:  Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation
Closing date:  Ongoing
How much:  Various
Objective:  To provide funding for a variety of community programs.
Overview:  The Community Benefit Funds Unit within the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation administers four non-recurrent grant programs for not-for-profit organisations.
For up-to-date information on the:

• Gambling Community Benefit Fund,
• Jupiters Casino Community Benefit Fund,
• Breakwater Island Community Benefit Fund and
• Reef Casino Community Benefit Fund

Please visit Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.

Who to contact: Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation
Email: cbf@treasury.qld.gov.au
Phone: (07) 3247 4284
Fax: (07) 3872 0998
Free Phone: 1800 633 619 (outside Brisbane)
Address: Locked Bag 180 CITY EAST QLD 4002

Community Heritage Grants

The Community Heritage Grants (CHG) Program aims to preserve and provide access to locally held, nationally significant cultural heritage collections across Australia. The program provides grant funding of up to $15 000 for preservation projects, and preservation and collection management training through community based workshops.

Organisation
National Library of Australia (NLA)

Contact Details
Postal: Parkes Place; Parkes; ACT 2600

Phone Details
Phone: (02) 6262 1111

Website
Community Heritage Grants

Expressions

Find out about changes and updates in government policy's and programs that may affect you as well as other FAHCISA activities for Stolen Generations'.

Express yourself!

We would love for you to submit your work or the work of your members so we can share it with others around the country.

To submit a piece, simply email or post the work (or a photo of your work), and don’t forget to include your name and city or town. We also need approval from the artist agreeing for their work to be shown in the newsletter.

Written works should not exceed 500 words. If you are emailing us a picture, please send it in jpeg format.

Contact Us

If you have any feedback or ideas for the newsletter? Contact us, we look forward to hearing what you think.

If you no longer wish to receive messages from us simply email us at stolengenerations@fahcsia.gov.au , with the word "unsubscribe" in the subject heading.