RMIT UNIVERSITY NGARARA WILLIM NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 9 FEBRUARY 2021 Remembering Uncle Colin Bourke On behalf of the Ngarara Willim team it is Colin did not fail with great sadness that we share the passing to live up to those of Emeritus Professor Colin Bourke, MBE expectations. on the 10 February, aged 84. Colin was a Alongside an life member of the National Aboriginal and unwavering Torres Strait Islander Higher Education commitment Consortium (NATSIHEC) due to the significant to employing contributions he made to Aboriginal and Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander higher Education and to people or what Education more broadly. Colin called ‘Aboriginalisation’ Colin’s leadership and scholarship paved the he also continued way for the educational opportunities we have a Black Studies access to today. His advocacy and leadership as program which an inaugural member of the National Aboriginal gave voice and a Education Committee (NAEC) laid the foundations platform to a number of prominent Indigenous for NATSIHEC. It’s his shoes and the shoes of community members. Realising limitations Colin the many other pioneers that we need to try to began working closely with another titan of our fill in our role as advocates for our communities. space and his future wife Eleanor Bourke who was working at the University of . Colin built a ladder that he left for all of us to Through an important collaboration they follow and he did this with community and inside provided a platform for Indigenous speakers. the Education system. He represented many For Colin and Eleanor, this work provided a firsts for Aboriginal people, starting his career crucial platform for Aboriginal perspectives and as a primary school teacher he went on to firsthand information about our communities. become principal. After completing his Master’s This challenged the stranglehold that existed to degree in Education, he was employed as the this point of non-Indigenous people writing and general manager of the Aboriginal Development talking about our communities. Commission before moving into the role of Assistant Secretary for the Department of In 1981 Colin returned to the University of Aboriginal Affairs. Later roles included Deputy South to lead the School of Aboriginal Principal of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Islander Administration and later the and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) and Faculty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander the head of the Aboriginal Taskforce at South Studies. At the time of Colin’s retirement Australia Institute of Technology (SAIT). from the University of South Australia in 1998 he was acting Deputy Vice Chancellor In 1977 Colin became the Director of the Centre (Academic). Colin was also one of the for Research into Aboriginal Affairs at Monash founders of the Victorian Aboriginal Educative University. One of his referees described Colin Consultative Group (AECG) and the first Chair. as part of a “new group of emergent Aboriginal professional whose effect on the course of Continues on page 3... Aboriginal destiny is likely to be a significant event in Australian history”. 1 On the Cover...continued from page 1 Colin was held in high esteem by all that had the us all to climb. Our world has lost a man that privilege of engaging with him. In a recent book gave so much of his life to achieving better published by Professor Leanne Holt, Professor educational outcomes for our people and Bob Morgan highlights the contributions communities. Our thoughts are with Eleanor that Colin made to the NAEC and the wider and family at this difficult time. Eleanor who Significant and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education has equally contributed so much to our agendas. Uncle Bob said “Colin was quiet, community and continues to do so. unassuming, a really deep thinker. . . he’s one of important dates those unsung heroes and doesn’t get enough of We are sure our ancestors have welcomed the recognition that I believe he deserves for his Uncle/Professor Colin Bourke with more than 8 March – Public Holiday role in Aboriginal education, and he’s a gun of a open arms into the spirit world. Professor 18 March – National Close the Gap Day man” (Holt, 2021). Colin Bourke never ever forgot the mob and 31 March - Census Date he pursued opportunities for all of us in a Even after his retirement Colin continued to humble way. We have really lost a true Elder. contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Future dates Higher Education and continued to show that 26 May – National Sorry Day that he was a ‘gun of a man’ as the Chair of the Monash University Indigenous Advisory Council. 27 May – 1967 Referendum 27 May - 3 June – National Reconciliation Week Colin once said that there are two kinds of black fellas, there were those he said that built and climbed ladders and then left them in place for others to climb. Unfortunately, he also acknowledged that there were those that We encourage you to read Uncle Colins books, climbed the ladder and then kicked it away to titled Before the Invasion: Aboriginal Life to 1788 stop anyone from following them up. We can and Aboriginal Australia: An Introductory Reader all learn something profound from that simple in Australian Aboriginal Studies. Contents observation. He built a ladder and he left it for We acknowledge success and congratulate Womin Djeka! two of our students, Kiara Davis and 2 Significant and important dates Caley Manzey, on their recent awards and 3 On the Cover Welcome to the 9th edition outstanding achievements in the Career Trackers program. Message from Ngarara Willim 3 Womin Djeka (Welcome)! It’s biderap (Dry) We congratulate Kamilaroi woman and 4 Invasion Day 2021 season and female common brown butterflies Bachelor of Fashion (Design) student Louisa are flying. Bowat (tussock-grass) is long and dry 5 Invasion Day continued Bloomer on winning the 2021 RMIT Indigenous and the Southern Cross is high in the south at design competition. 6 Student Success @ CareerTrackers sunrise. We put the spotlight on current student 6 Leaves of Change We hope you all had a safe, restful and happy Thomas Watson and we chat with our Deadly holiday and have started the year off refreshed 7 Students back on Campus Alumni, Takysha Brennan who tells us about after such a challenging year. 8 Gama-dji Orientation Online her study at RMIT and what she is up to now. In our first newsletter for 2021 we pay our respects 9 Student Spotlight: Thomas Watson We share our chat with our friend and former to Elder Uncle Colin Bourke. We pay tribute to colleague Simon Rose and find out what he 10 Deadly Alumni: Takysha Brennan his life and acknowledge his achievemnets in has been working on in the production and Indigenous Higher Education. 11 The Great Aboriginal People film industry through his company ‘The Great 12 New Staff - Shannon Woodcock The Ngarara Willim team reflect on Invasion Day Aboriginal People’. We share some photos and share photos taken by staff and students. taken with our students and alumni across the We welcome all students back and meet and City and Bundoora campuses recently. welcome our new students at our Gama-dji The Ngarara Willim Centres are now open programs. We also welcome new staff member with minimal staffing. Our team look forward Shannon Woodcock who will be supporting to seeing you all in the near future. Take care 2 Ngarara Willim’s Academic tutoring program. of yourselves and each other. 3 Invasion Day 2021

Another January 26 has passed…

The Ngarara Willim staff and students often attend the Invasion Day March in solidarity with our community who advocate to ‘Change the Date’. This year’s 26 January event still drew a huge crowd of supporters, but it was much quieter than usual, possibly due to the strange twelve months we’ve just experienced and peoples uncertainty about being in a large crowd. As always, it was amazing to see so many students and members of the community there, sharing an important moment in time with friends and family.

The staff at Ngarara Willim often discuss Indigenous topics in our office, whether they are contemporary issues, anniversaries of important dates, or achievements of our community. Each of us bring different perspectives and enjoy listening to and sharing thoughts with the team.

Some examples of the 26 January event include:

• Wanting to celebrate Australia, but finding the current date entirely inappropriate. • The importance of acknowledging the impact on the Eora people in particular. • Reflecting and mourning the beginning of the immense loss of culture and knowledge, while still celebrating our existence and pride for our people and community. • Dealing with internal conflict of pride, exclusion, sadness and festivity through our own personal cultural lens. • Missing your family, remembering your people and land, and feeling a deep need to connect with culture.

Once a year on January 26, we all get to feel a bit strange together while we gather our thoughts, share and reflect. One thing we all know is that the strength of our community is ever-lasting! Always was, Always will be!

Photography and Photographs provided by: Darcy McConnell, Jasper Riley, Winyinnar Mendez Williams & Cathy Doe. 4 5 Student Success @ CareerTrackers Students back on Campus Career Trackers held its Annual Gala event Ngarara Willim would like to congratulate all of Ngarara Willim staff, students and alumni spent We also spent a day with students and staff on online this month starting the night with a the students, alumni and partners who were the day at our Bundoora campus recently working the city campus engaging in a student photo premiere viewing of a documentary titled ‘ recipients of outstanding achievements and with RMIT Sport on filming of an upcoming shoot. The Ngarara Willim Centre has opened In Their Tracks’, that follows the lives of four awards on the night, including two of Ngarara podcast on Indigenous Pride, Participation & its doors again for students and community in a alumni of the program. The evening concluded Willim’s students, Kiara Davis and Caley Manzie. Recognition in Sport. COVID Safe environment. with an awards ceremony acknowledging the achievements of their interns, alumni and partners. Caley Manzie Caley Manzie won Kiara Davis the Community Spirit Award at the Gala Kiara is a Bachelor event. The Award is of Health Science/ presented to an intern Bachelor of Applied who demonstrates Science (Chiro) an outstanding student at RMIT commitment to their and was a recipient community. of one of the top 8 Academic Caley is a role model for future generations achievement awards and is an active and positive influence within at the Gala event. the CareerTrackers, Ngarara Willim and RMIT community. Kiara was awarded for her participation in her Gama-dji: An online experience third year Summer Internship and presentation Caley has been mentoring Indigenous with the Health Strong team at Medibank. Kiara secondary students in STEM and shares and In February Ngarara Willim hosted our said, ‘this internship was the most meaningful celebrates her culture with her local hockey commencing VE and HE students in another internship’. During her time, Kiara helped to club and team at Jacobs Group. Caley's ethos online Gama-dji Orientation Program. We had send out a graduate newsletter, created a is built on knowledge and resource sharing so hoped that 2021 would mean a swift return to welcome pack for Medibank graduates and her community can experience greater health, campus but unfortunately this was unable to travelled to to help set up Medibanks education and cultural outcomes. happen with another outbreak dampening any Wellness Centre. ideas.

Students were welcomed and asked to join staff for a bite to eat and to engage in some social Leaves of Change conversations with staff, student leaders and one another. It was great to hear about what We were very lucky to have current student Congratulations Ngarara Willim student students were going to be studying and why. Clint Hansen join the program sharing some of Louisa Bloomer who has won the 2021 RMIT Louisa Bloomer his experiences and opportunities that he has Indigenous design competition. Louisa, a Student The main presentation then started with been involved in like attending Indigenous Uni Kamilaroi woman, introductions from staff who represent the Games, Global opportunities and being a part of Indigenous Art I created this piece in recognition services and supports utilised by students. the Ngarara Willim Community. Clint also spoke Designer and a of our abilities to change to a One of the important aspects of the Gama-dji about how accessing support and surrounding current student in new way of life after Covid. Program is the fact that the staff who come and yourself with a team of support people was the Bachelor of introduce themselves and their services are the a key to success. Clint started with RMIT in staff who students will liaise with both working Fashion (Design) at The winning piece titled ‘Leaves of Change’: Vocational Education and is now studying his remotely and on campus. It really provided a RMIT has won the The bright swirling colours within each leaf Pre-Doctorate. connection and made students feel that they branding design represent the changing tides in all aspects of our competition and were able to meet and understand how services Gama-dji was also an opportunity to introduce lives, and the positivity of what may come next. can benefit each of them individually. will have her This design is inspired from spotting flickering red the Ngarara Willim Dhumbali Program. A series artwork featured of cultural activities that students can participate leaves amongst the green of a gum tree in my The program further touched on how students on RMIT’s digital in throughout the year. backyard. With this design I wanted to depict the could access academic support with an channels. vibrant and fresh start we all face on this planet interactive session with Shannon Woodcock, in 2021. who helps coordinate the Ngarara Willim 6 Tutoring Program. 7 Student Deadly Alumni: Takysha Brennan

Who are you? Who’s your mob? What are you up to Spotlight: Takysha Brennan, Palawa now? Work and life? I am an Indigenous Tell me about your RMIT experience. Development Officer What did you study? at Ventia. In my role I I studied a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Science. get to work in change Thomas management in the How did your course influence your career? Indigenous space, My course helped me find my passion for public in community health and health policy. My degree taught me a engagement and lot of transferable skills that can be used in any in the Gender Watson job like stakeholder engagement and different diversity space. I am methods of research. also a part of their graduate program that I can’t recommend highly What are the top three things you have learned enough to anyone who is graduating or has just in your career? graduated. Whose your Mob? What was it like transitioning to university? I am sorry for these answers, but they truly are Gangulu, Yiman, Garingbal The transition was pretty easy. I made a lot of the best advice anyone can give you! Can you tell us about your journey into University? friends in my earlier year at uni through Ngarara 1. Network – your network is your most valuable I graduated High School in Albury NSW and What are you Studying? Willim which helped with the transition a lot. It is asset. got accepted into a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Bachelor of Health Science/Applied Science much different from high school because the onus 2. Ask questions - Everyone is always willing to Science. With the help of Ngarara Willim I got (Osteopathy) is on you to put in the work to learn. It isn't the help you or explain things in a different way. At a room at the then brand new Wollert House teachers responsibility to keep you on track. uni and in the workplace, people want you to (Unilodge) in Bundoora which was one of the Tell us about yourself (Your background/your succeed, let them help you. best experiences I have had. journey)? What do you enjoy most about engaging with 3. Be yourself – be proud of you! Only you can As a child I grew up mainly in the northern territory Ngarara Willim? do what you do. What did you enjoy most about engaging with in a small town called Katherine not far from Ngarara Willim has been the place I have been Ngarara Willim? Darwin which is where I completed pre school most comfortable my entire uni career. The staff What are your plans for 2021 and beyond? The amazing people I got to meet! I also had and primary school. In Katherine I played Aussie and students are all so supportive and you create My dream is to one day travel overseas if that some really cool experiences such as Indigenous rules football and competed in athletics (triple a bond with all of them very quickly and easily. It’s is ever possible again. I’d love to go to South university games (3 times), Deadly science day jump was my favourite event). Once I finished a really good place to feel at home when at uni. American and see the Mayan and Aztec temples mentoring and National Indigenous Students primary school my family move to Townsville and experience the rich cultures. Conference. where I finished year 8 and 9 at Kirwan state high What does Ngarara Willim "Gathering Place" mean school where I played rugby league. to you? Realistically I am working to give back to What would your message be to our mob who My family and I moved back to Melbourne where Exactly what the name infers. Its a place all the community and provide as many opportunities may be considering studying at RMIT? I was born which is where I have been since. I mob from RMIT can gather, talk, study, learn and to our younger mob. DO IT! started playing basketball, finished my high school be comfortable around and with other mob. and have since been studying at RMIT for 6 years Ngarara Willim has excellent facilities, this year. I have done so many cool things, met What's your proudest moment/achievement while unparalleled support and services for students, so many amazing people and made a lot of great studying at RMIT? Takysha Brennan they have endless opportunities, and everyone memories at university that I will cherish forever. I think winning the 2017 Men's basketball MVP at is kind and welcoming. Indigenous Nationals was my proudest moment Deadly Alumni What/Who inspired you to study at RMIT? so far. How are you still connected to RMIT and the Originally I didn't want to go to University, I was My biggest take away from Ngarara Willim community? going to become a tradesman. I later decided What is your message to community members RMIT are the relationships I am still working at the RMIT Sports Centre. that I would give it a go which is a decision I am considering studying at RMIT? I developed with Ngarara Also, I still see Ngarara Mob for social events very glad I made. I didn't really have an inspiration Give it a go like I did, you won’t regret it! The mob Willim staff, students, and when COVID permits it. to go other than my own internal decision to give at Ngarara Willim are the best support system Alumni. it a go. I had a great support system around me you could ask for the staff and students make with my family who were happy with what ever you feel right at home. You'll be very comfortable Join our Deadly Alumni decision I made. surrounded by mob who're in the same position as you. facebook page 8 9 The Great Aboriginal People New Staff: Shannon Woodcock

Simon Rose is a Birriah/Gurreng Gurreng man Hi Everybody ! My name is Shannon and I’m I wrote my PhD about how racism works in based in Melbourne. Most of our readers will the new Academic programs tutor co-ordinator Romania, and I learnt a lot from Romani know Simon who has worked and studied at at Ngarara Willim. I love working with students people about how to fight white supremacy. the Ngarara Willim Centre and RMIT for over because writing an essay is really just like telling I was always thinking about how to apply the ten years and had recently left to pursue his a story about a great weekend to friends, and things I learnt as a white person there to life passion of producing and developing films helping to make learning interesting and fun is in ‘Australia’. I did my post-doc at the US and documentaries. Simon has a background Simon recalls his parents taking him to see films my thing. Holocaust Memorial Museum and worked in film and writing but also follows his creative like Star Wars, Jaws and Alien at the cinema closely with a few First Nations representatives endeavors of photography and visual arts which totally influenced him to be interested I’m white and I was born in Meanjin. After school in Washington DC, then I came back to so- from an Indigenous lens and perspective. in film. The first film Simon ever made was I studied languages and history at QUT, then called Australia and lectured in genocide in high school. He describes it as a “terribly left Australia and ended up in Romania. There studies at La Trobe University. Simon has been in Melbourne for a long time, terrible chase film!” Simon is captivated by film is a lot of racist violence in Romania from the although he is a Murri from North Queensland. because of the possibilities of what you can do white Romanians against Romani people, who Now I am finally doing what I have been He has family who have lived here in the with it, it stems an endlessly creative process Romanians kept as slaves since the 1600s. preparing for: I am working with you amazing Kulin Nations for years, from both his mum’s for him. Now there isn’t slavery, but all the stereotypes students, and writing history under the (Fishers) and dad’s (Johnsons) sides. that white people made to steal labour from direction of the Gunai Kurnai Community Although COVID has brought about disruption Roma are still used to treating Romani people here. I am currently co-writing a book with Simon has been developing his film production in the film industry Simon feels that it has a as inferior. Kurnai Monero Ngarigo man, Rob Hudson, skills across documentary, corporate video, strong, well thought-out process that has kept which is called First Nations Museum Spaces dramas and commissioned content for productions going well during this crisis. It has and Colonial Contestation: The Keeping several years. Simon has worked with some also allowed Simon to look forward to the new Place (Routledge, 2022). It is all about the well-known and respected people. possibilities and projects that 2021 will bring work Rob does at the Krowathunkooloong – he has a few local productions to make as Keeping Place in Bairnsdale, and it shares Some of his credits include: well as producing, co-producing and directing some stories of how strong people have been • Maree Clarke Cultural Warrior, some of his own narrative ideas. throughout colonial occupation. • Let’s Talk Treaty, • The Story of Tunnerminnerwait & We look forward to seeing these productions In non-racist-fighting news, I live with three Maulboyheenner, and at The Capitol Theatre when the restraints ease cockatiels, and I love swimming and watching • Sorry: a video response to the National and we can walk to the red carpet with Simon. Catfish. Apology to the Indigenous Australian L-R: Pasha, Shannon, Guxim Stolen Generation. If you are looking to have an Indigenous lens on screen production, reach out Simon was also the Indigenous Directors to Simon and his team via his LinkedIn attachment to ABC TVs Miss Fishers Murder or email [email protected]. Mysteries and worked as a factual research Do you need a Tutor? intern with Rachael Perkins’ Blackfella Films in Melbourne. When you work with a tutor, not only do they help you understand your assignments Click on the link Simon’s influences, which you can see and help motivate you, you also have reflected in his work, are mainly from our someone who can cheer you on and listen to sign up for mob. He says he has always admired the to what you think about the course. The ones who were brave enough to keep going tutors we have as part of the Ngarara Willim in the face of adversity and ridicule, it showed Tutoring program have already done the Tutoring today! the strength, courage and resistance that course you are currently in. our mob have inside. He admires the works of Ivan Sen (Goldstone), Warrick Thornton (Sweet Country), Tracy Moffat (BeDevil) and even Danish Director, Lars Von Trier (Dogville). Simon Rose and Deb Mailman

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E: [email protected] Join our mailing list Nicole Jason T: (03) 9925 4885 Arabana Tharawal Click here to join our mailing list and to view Manager Senior Manager our past newsletters! Indigenous Student Education Indigenous Education

Our Artists City Campus Leaves of Change — Louisa Bloomer Cathy Lewis Building 5, Level 1, Room 5 Leaves (watermark) — Alanna Sandy Bowen Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3001 Irukandji Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta, Ngarara Willim Centre logo — Mandy Nicholson Dja Dja Wurrung Senior Advisor Bundoora Campus Indigenous Access and Coordinator Building 202, Level 3, Room 21 Engagement Indigenous Outreach 225- 245 Plenty Road, Bundoora, VIC, 3083

Brunswick Campus Cathy Building 514, Level 1, Room 3 Carlie 25 Dawson Street, Brunswick, VIC, 3056 Coordinator Arrernte, Luritja Indigenous Student Education Officer Post: GPO Box 2476, Melbourne, VIC 3001 Indigenous Student Education

Shannon Officer Academic Programs

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