OUTPUT 2 — Dissemination of research and information

Highlights

• A lead story on AIATSIS in ABC TV’s Stateline () for World Audiovisual Heritage Day 2010. • Aboriginal Studies Press is working on its first audio book. • Stanner Award re-focused to promote Indigenous-authored academic writing. • Aboriginal Studies Press is working on its first phone app. • Twenty years of the Mail newspaper now on the AIATSIS website — a major research resource. • Family History Research course formally accredited by the Canberra Institute of Technology. • Community Access visit to the Purfleet community, Taree.

36 2. INFORMATION

Dissemination deliverables

Deliverable Output 2 Result Developing a strategic Communications Increased Aboriginal Studies Press e-newsletter and Dissemination Plan. delivery to 1500 people. Producing a diverse range of quality Produced six new print/DVD titles and a range publications. of e-publications. Identifying, encouraging, developing and Established the new Stanner Award. publishing works by Indigenous authors. Publishing and promoting research to the Undertook range of marketing activities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and national and international, communities. Promoting Aboriginal Studies Press, the Exhibited at Warsaw International Book Fair and publishing arm of AIATSIS, to communities took part in the Brisbane and Writers’ and organisations as a leading publisher of Festivals. Indigenous works. Being proactive in attracting new material Established the new Stanner Award which for publications. attracted 10 submissions. Exploring opportunities for collaboration and Contracts signed with national and international new initiatives, including joint publications distributors for the reselling of e-publications. and e-publications. Developing appropriate dissemination and Created individual marketing/promotional plan marketing strategies for publications. for each new title. Developing the skills of authors and Participated in panel sessions at two national community members through workshops, Aboriginal writers/educators conferences and conference sessions, or media training. one seminar. Attended sessions on selling international rights at the Sydney Writers’ Festival. Initiating leading-edge discussion of research Native Title Conference 2011 held 1–3 June questions through major public programs such 2011. as conferences, including the AIATSIS Biennial Information Technology and Indigenous Conference and Native Title Conference, Communities Symposium held July 2010. special issue symposia and seminar series. Identity forum held April 2011. AIATSIS 50 years retrospective held June 2011. Two seminar series: Text and Texture; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander in the Public Domain.

37 AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

Deliverable Output 2 Result Developing outreach facilities to increase access The Audiovisual Archive conducted a number to AIATSIS library and audiovisual collections. of community outreach activities, including a visit to the Purfleet community, Taree, and hosted many visits from community members to AIATSIS, including from: Broome, Fitzroy Valley, and Nyikina people, WA, Madi Madi people and Raukkan Murray Bridge, SA, Dalabon women Barunga, Nhulunbuy and Ngukurr, NT, Lake Eyre Basin and Kuku Yalandji, Qld. Contributed more than 300 collection level records to the National Library’s online search facility, Trove. The Library developed an online tutorial to assist other libraries on how to use Indigenous names. The Library’s manuscript finding aids are now searchable through Trove. Developing events to increase the profile of Community Access visit made to the Purfleet AIATSIS personnel, collections, research community, Taree, NSW. capacity, publications, and community links to all users including particularly communities, the research sector, government and membership. Developing collaborative relations and provide The Audiovisual Archive has maintained strategic national leadership, coordination, and facilitation alliances with several organisations, including: of access to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait NLA, NMA, NFSA, ABC, CIT (see Abbreviations Islander collections in other institutions. and Acronyms pp. 142–143). An AIATSIS staff member was seconded to the NLA to coordinate the online delivery of the Bringing them home oral history interviews. The AIATSIS Library directly supports the activities of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information Resource Network. Encouraging visitation of our premises and Some 228 clients visited the Audiovisual Access consider appropriateness of our building for Unit. Staff upgraded technical equipment for these purposes. public events in the Mabo Room. Supporting the activities of community The Audiovisual Archive returned materials to the knowledge centres. value of $111,176 to communities, free of charge.

38 2. INFORMATION

OVERVIEW p. 71) and coverage by NITV of various AIATSIS achievements. Widespread media In 2010–11, AIATSIS again increased the coverage was achieved for the Institute’s amount of information available from acquisition of a rare 1801 German book its program areas. The corporate goal for containing a letter dictated by Bennelong in dissemination is to create, develop and 1796 (see box, p. 69). disseminate a diverse range of publications and services about Australian Indigenous cultures. The Unit promoted Institute-run events and provided positive stories for the Koori Mail AIATSIS disseminates information through: and National Indigenous Times, as well as other • the Executive and Communications Unit publications. It also worked with the New • Aboriginal Studies Press, the Institute’s South Wales Aboriginal Land Council, to jointly publishing arm launch the Aboriginal Studies Press publication, Aboriginal Sydney. • the Research Program and the Native Title Research Unit, which publish peer-reviewed The Unit also reported AIATSIS Chairperson, papers and non peer-reviewed reports, and Professor Mick Dodson’s, comments on the present papers at conferences, seminars and Institute’s inability to gain ongoing funding to workshops continue digitising its collection. • the Library and Audiovisual Archive, which provide access to the Institute’s collections. Visits to the Institute The number and frequency of official visits Some material is produced for sale, for example, to the Institute increased significantly during the Aboriginal Studies Press publication list, the reporting year. Visitors included groups while other material is provided free. Available of Indigenous students from universities and AIATSIS resources, and audience and client schools, delegations of foreign diplomats, demand determine the choice of medium, e.g. staff and executive officers of Indigenous print, CD/DVD or online delivery. organisations, and representatives of state and Australian Government agencies. EXECUTIVE AND They included: COMMUNICATIONS UNIT • a five-member delegation from the Argentine The workload of the small Executive and National Congress Communications Unit reflected the increased • the Board of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait demand felt across all areas of AIATSIS in Islander Healing Foundation 2010–11 in response to growing numbers of community visits, events, media interviews and • the CEO and Deputy CEO of the New requests for information generally. Zealand Film Archive • Dame Meg Taylor, Vice President of the The Unit issued a record fifty media releases Office of the Compliance Ombudsman, during the year gaining coverage not only World Bank Group in specialist Indigenous media such as the Koori Mail, the National Indigenous Times, the • Alexander Nalbandov, Deputy Foreign National Indigenous News Service and National Minister for Foreign Affairs, Georgia Indigenous Television (NITV), but also in the • the Eastern States Aboriginal Group general media. • Annabelle Lebethe, CEO of the National Arts Council in South Africa Highlights include regular interviews on both ABC and commercial radio stations, prompted • Dr Francis Gurry, Director General of the by specific AIATSIS announcements, some World Intellectual Property Organisation mainstream print coverage of events like the • Dr Russell Bishop, Professor of Maori donation of artwork to AIATSIS (see box Education Waikato University, New Zealand

39 AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

• Dr Hans Sondaal, Chair of the Museum Income from requests to use AIATSIS copyright of Contemporary Aboriginal Art, The material, including the Aboriginal Netherlands language map, amounted to $6590, which is 4 • Andrew Leach, CEO of the Aboriginal per cent down on last year. The US distributor's Housing Management Association, Vancouver, income increased by 6 per cent, and the Canada UK/European distributor's by 113 per cent. However, taken together they represent only 3 • Professor Shane Houston, Deputy Vice- per cent of total revenues.Where practical, ASP Chancellor, Indigenous Strategy and Services, uses offshore digital printing to top up overseas . distributors’ orders, rather than shipping hard copies from Australia. Aboriginal Studies Press Through its publishing program, Aboriginal Managing capacity Studies Press (ASP) facilitates and promotes The restructure of Aboriginal Studies Press high-quality research, and an understanding of in 2010 continued to reap benefits. The ASP Australia’s Indigenous cultures. During the year, Director, along with other ASP staff, mentored ASP again published a vital and varied list of the editorial assistant who undertook her first both scholarly and general-interest books. full copyedit of an autobiography, along with a variety of editorial-related work. She also Funding for ASP in 2010–11 totalled $788,056, contributed to two significant Indigenous all of which came from AIATSIS. Of that writers’ conferences (see box p. 41). ASP also budget, 48 per cent was for staffing, with 14 per hosted a communications undergraduate intern cent for consultants and sourcing professional for six weeks who provided research support, advice. This reflects the shift towards using proofreading and manuscript evaluations. contract staff for some tasks following the previous year’s restructure. The balance of 38 ASP continued to use contract staff for tasks per cent covered administrative costs (including related to book editing, design and production. copyeditors, proofreaders, map-makers and Depending on demand, and staff resources, designers), fees to distributors, freight, royalty it used a contract packer to dispatch orders and continued to use contract staff for sales, payments to authors, book and e-book permissions clearances and for writing teacher production, and the costs of marketing and resources (see New Ventures p. 42). publicity. ASP also managed the Research Program’s Revenue in this period was $329,034 which contract to study future online publishing, was 10 per cent below the budgeted figure. As including establishing best practice for digital- well as revenue from the sale of books and maps, rights management, file formats, and print- income came from sales of CDs and DVDs of on-demand. This complements work being music and films, subscriptions to the Australian undertaken by ASP on e-publications. Aboriginal Studies (AAS) journal, income from the Copyright Agency Limited and royalties It also contributed to the Australian from licensed material. ASP received monies Government’s Book Industry Strategy Group’s from the Educational Lending Right scheme inquiry into the future of books in Australia. only, having been advised in December 2010 that it was ineligible to receive further Public Quality improvement Lending Right payments. Turnover was below Sourcing a suitable warehouse and fulfilment budget overall, but despite a difficult bookselling service was slowed by the need to incorporate market and the collapse of the Borders/Angus & several complementary activities. ASP worked Robertson book chain, ASP maintained its sales with Corporate Services to select a new budget with its national distributor. accounting system to replace the BookNet

40 ASP's Editorial Assistant, Lisa Fuller, answering questions at Guwanyi Festival, Sydney. Photograph courtesy Gibson Nolte.

Training-up in publishing

Meeting so many diverse, accomplished Having made connections with a range of and passionate Aboriginal writers was Indigenous writers and other publishers, Lisa an exciting and daunting experience — can now help to improve the material ASP exciting to hear them speak and daunting provides. She said: because I was expected to answer their Talking to participants has really shown me questions. that you can’t take anything for granted, as Lisa Fuller, ASP’s editorial assistant everyone is coming from different places and perspectives. I can see that ASP needs Lisa Fuller joined Aboriginal Studies Press in to be able to respond to both emerging 2010 as part of its long-term strategy to train and established authors and continually Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people work to improve ourselves and what we in publishing. During the year she attended publish. and contributed to two important Indigenous The conferences gave Lisa the chance to talk writers’ festivals, the Guwanyi National about publishing autobiographies. Lisa said: Aboriginal Writers Festival in Sydney and the At Guwanyi I read out the first few pages National Indigenous Writers and Educators of Doreen Kartinyeri’s ASP published Conference (NIWEC) in Wollongong. biography and I was amazed by the Lisa, who is a Murri woman from Eidsvold, response. I’ve always known it is a powerful a small town in rural , was able book and that more people should read to give both a professional and personal it, so it was great to see so many people perspective as she was published for the wanting to buy it. first time this year in the anthology, Etchings Lisa also found that people were interested Indigenous: Treaty, along with renowned in ASP’s work on spoken books, an encouraging authors like Lionel Fogarty, Ali Cobby Eckerman sign that strong literacy is not needed for and Tony Birch. people to hear and enjoy stories that reflect their lives. AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

bookshop management system. The new theses. The prize is now $5000, a glass plaque, system will provide accurate and transparent and up to fifty hours mentoring and editorial information, especially for royalty payments, and support for the author to create a publishable ties into existing financial accounting packages. manuscript. ASP will publish the winning work, It is expected to go live in September 2011. and has the right to publish any other entry. The system will integrate with e-commerce Although the winner of the first new Stanner for publication sales, which was trialled in this Award will be announced in July 2011, most of reporting period. ASP is negotiating with a the set-up work occurred during the reporting digital printer to top up ASP’s print runs in year. This included setting up the entry and response to any online sales demand. judging guidelines, receiving and logging the As in previous years, most manuscripts were manuscripts, checking two referees for each accepted subject to reworking. An emerging submitting author, and providing administration trend, which may reflect the current difficult support to the judges. state of academic publishing in Australia, as well Ten manuscripts were received. Aboriginal as the relationships ASP has developed with Studies Press is pleased with the number of authors, is that more well-known and previously entries and expects that once the first winner published authors are approaching ASP to publish their works. ASP continued to support is announced and publicised, more entries authors, providing information, as well as email will compete for the next award. Entries and phone assistance. were assessed using a rigorous system of blind judging. The award judges were Professors Feedback from assessors was provided to Lester-Irabinna Rigney, Deborah Rose and Jane selected authors to allow them to finalise their Simpson. manuscripts to a publishable standard. ASP continued to ensure that appropriate cultural ASP has started the simultaneous print and protocols were followed in the creation of e-publication of all suitable recent titles. It will manuscripts, as well as in the publications be one of the first Australian publishers offering themselves. books through Apple’s new fixed format in 2011. Aboriginal Sydney was successfully trialled, Endorsements from a range of academics and using Apple’s software for fixed-format (highly readers reflected the high quality of ASP’s illustrated) books. ASP staff are now working publications, and were used to market the to create a phone app for the book that could products. be sold cheaply. While still a relatively new ASP staff broadened their professional skills by undertaking for book publishers, ASP hopes the attending vocational courses on subjects such app will complement sales of the book. as policy writing, copyediting onscreen, social After ongoing discussions about how to media networking and metadata. make the Aboriginal Studies Press list of autobiographies cheap and easy to obtain by New ventures its target audience of Indigenous readers, ASP ASP’s small team of four people plus contractors, facilitated a talking-word book as an MP3 file embarked on several new initiatives during for one title, The little red yellow black book, and 2010–11, reflecting the changing nature of the script for another, Bill Simon’s Back on The publications from print to other formats. Block. It is hoped that the latter, in particular, will mean that any people In keeping with the Institute’s aim to increase struggling with literacy due to their treatment as Indigenous authorship, the conditions of the children, will be able to hear their own stories. Stanner Award were changed this year. From an award made to a previously published academic Having created its first teacher resources in book, open to all authors, the award now focuses the previous year, ASP has now increased its on Indigenous-authored academic writing. output and range. These notes, which include As expected, most entries were MA and PhD detailed class plans, provide teachers with ideas

42 2. INFORMATION

for using particular ASP titles in their teaching. release in August 2011 which is expected to be They are available free from the AIATSIS widely promoted. The six titles included the website. Some sets of notes will address the new scholarly text, One law for all? and five general national curriculum for 2012 (English, maths, interest publications, including a DVD of the science and history), which means incorporating documentary Contact which won the Prime information from up to four titles at a time. Minister’s Prize for History as well as other Backlist or less recent ASP titles, especially awards. The DVD is now for sale from ASP, histories and biographies, are a valuable resource and is also packaged with the ASP title, Cleared for the educational sector. Feedback about out. Work also started on four forthcoming ASP’s work has been very positive. Most of its publications for July, August, September and marketing is usually directed to the trade and October 2011. tertiary sectors, but next year it will market Most of the books published were collaborations these teacher resources to the teacher-educator between Indigenous and non-Indigenous and schools sectors, and by collaborating with authors (see Figure 5). the Australian Curriculum Assessment and Reporting Authority. A total of twenty manuscripts were submitted for publication, with even more proposals. ASP managed a three-month contract to While fewer than some other years, ASP staff investigate using digital formats and delivery to discussed proposals and provided feedback for allow an increase in the number of publications several other projects that are at different stages generated by the Research Program. The work of development. Of the seven manuscripts included researching and suggesting best- recommended for publication with some practice models for: reworking, one was published in March, with • intellectual property rights three others due in August, September and • managing digital rights October 2011, respectively. • a suitable web-delivery platform that would Eight titles were reprinted in 2010–11 to integrate with the sale of other publications keep inventories at manageable levels. ASP and e-commerce from the AIATSIS site made available for sale a backlist of almost one • a marketing model that would provide the hundred titles in print, thirteen music CDs and best ‘discoverability’ of the Institute’s research thirty-one film DVDs. The DVDs in particular publications. are a valuable resource for the educational sector.

New print publications During the reporting period ASP received ASP generally publishes between six and copies of the German translation of one of its eight titles each year. Continuing this trend popular titles, Auntie Rita. in 2010–11, ASP published five titles and one Australia: William Blandowski’s illustrated DVD, and cleared space in its publishing and encyclopaedia of Aboriginal life, which developed promotion schedule for the preparatory work from an AIATSIS research grant, was published on the publication of a sports book due for simultaneously in large-format full-colour

Figure 5: Comparison of ASP authors, 2010–11

43 AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

paperback, as well as a special edition hardback external members Dr Julie Gough, Mr Steve with cloth/leather binding and slipcase, for the Kinnane and Ms Jeanie Bell. bibliophile market. Both editions have been Members of the PAC 2010–11 were: reprinted (see box p. 45). • Mr Russell Taylor — Principal and Chair A second revised edition of the popular book • Dr Luke Taylor — Deputy Principal Aboriginal Sydney: a guide to important places of the • Ms Rhonda Black — Director, Aboriginal past and present was produced, and an historical Studies Press essay was added to I’m the one that know this country! to provide background information Council representatives about the British nuclear tests at Maralinga. The • Professor John Maynard popular Country of the heart was redesigned to • Ms Terri Janke, with Mr Dana Ober from suit a smaller, more economical format. December 2010 External members e-publications • Mr Bruce Pascoe With more than seventy titles available through • Dr Jakelin Troy ebooks.com, Ebook Library, Informit, Amazon • Ms Sue Abbey, with Dr Julie Gough, Mr Steve and other e-book resellers, a large percentage Kinnane and Ms Jeanie Bell from December of ASP publications are now available digitally. 2010. Additional titles will be added as released or digitised. Marketing, publicity and distribution Publishing Advisory Committee ASP continued to produce a marketing and Aboriginal Studies Press’s publishing continued publicity plan for each new title, as well as to benefit from the advice of the Publishing promoting its whole list. It produced its tertiary Advisory Committee (PAC). The PAC catalogue in August 2010 and its new trade recommends to the Principal and ASP which of catalogue in February 2011. the submitted titles ASP should publish. Authors attended writers’ festivals in Brisbane Committee members offer academic, and Melbourne, while ASP worked with local community, language and writing and editorial expertise, which complements the knowledge of partners such as the Palm Island Council, ASP and the AIATSIS executive. the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council and the The committee met twice during the year and Melbourne Museum to hold book launches on recommended four manuscripts for publication, Palm Island, Townsville, the mid-north coast following some reworking. of NSW, Sydney and Melbourne. Following The committee was refreshed in December the launches, ASP established direct selling 2010 with the Council representatives becoming relationships with several Aboriginal groups. As Professor John Maynard and Mr Dana Ober, and part of the Brisbane Writers’ Festival, ASP took

44 Unique encyclopaedia emerges after 148 years

at the A unique early record of Aboriginal life in expeditions, collecting specimens and working colonial Australia has emerged from obscurity with the Yerri Yerri people. He became an onto retail bookshelves after 148 years. It advocate for Aboriginal people and gave talks Australia almost didn’t. on his observations in Melbourne where he Published by Aboriginal Studies Press, encouraged the establishment of a museum of Australia: William Blandowski’s illustrated natural history. He went on to become a council encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia in member of what became the Royal Society 2010, only a short time ago existed as a sole of and was later appointed the first surviving complete copy, written in German, government zoologist in Victoria and the first and tucked away on a shelf in the State Library director of the Melbourne Museum. in Berlin. Its original title was Australien in However, his erratic behaviour and lack of 142 photographischen Abbildungen nach political acumen caused a fall from grace that zehnjährigen Erfahrungen (Australia in 142 prompted him to return home a decade later photographic illustrations from 10 years’ with his reputation in tatters. When he left, experience). Blandowski took with him a significant record of Funded and published in 1862 by talented Australian art, anthropology and natural history.

Bernard Caleo made an appearance and entertained the explorer, natural scientist and artist, William Until now, Blandowski’s contribution to Blandowski, the book contains 142 illustrative Australian natural history, art and anthropology records showing Aboriginal life, its routines, has remained almost unknown in Australia. His audience as William Blandowski at the launch of Melbourne Museum. Photograph courtesy Melbourne Museum. rituals and conflicts observed over ten years in encyclopaedia was rediscovered by Australian the mid-1800s. anthropologist Professor Harry Allen. Since Originally a miner, Wilhelm (William) von being released in English in September 2010 Blandowski arrived in Australia from Poland in his work has been described as a ‘sort of visual 1849 to seek his fortune. He explored south anthropology of Aboriginal life’. It is now in its eastern Australia, where he made several second printing. AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

part in a ‘pitching book ideas’ session with three forums, in-house publications, information documentary filmmakers. services and via the Internet (see Chapter 1 and Appendixes 1 and 2 for more information). ASP contacted the Indigenous centres of most Australian universities to offer information Conferences, workshops about its list and suitability for use in courses, and to inquire about how courses and seminars were taught. ASP increased the reach of its Native Title Conference quarterly e-newsletter to 1500 people and sold The 12th National Native Title Conference: Our publications at several conferences, including the Country, Our Future was held at the Brisbane National Native Title Conference in Brisbane. Exhibition and Convention Centre from 1–3 ASP successfully negotiated the sale of 2900 June 2011. The Turrbal, Jagera, Yuggera and books to the Scholastic Books in Home scheme. Ugarapul peoples, traditional owners of the It also approached the Haddon Museum in wider Brisbane area, hosted the conference. Cambridge to sell copies of the new Australia It was co-convened with Queensland South publication and displayed a range of ASP titles Native Title Services with Makeeta Ratulevu at the Warsaw International Book Fair in Poland coordinating the conference and Dr Jessica Weir in May. The little red yellow black book continued convening the program. to gain use as a cross-cultural training tool, being used by corrective services in Queensland Almost 600 delegates including 100 speakers and , the NSW Department attended the conference. The annual Mabo of Community Services and General Practice Lecture was given by the Chief Executive of Education and Training, among others. the Lowitija Institute, Dr Kerry Arabena (see box p. 47). Other keynote speakers included: the ASP signed a distribution agreement with Chief Executive Officer of Queensland South Ronin Films to promote and sell their DVDs Native Title Services, Kevin Smith; Aboriginal into the educational sector. and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice ASP continued to enter books into a range of Commissioner, Mick Gooda; Chief Justice of awards. Unfortunately, the most prestigious- the Federal Court of Australia, the Hon. Patrick looking production for the year, Australia, was Keane; and the Chief Executive Officer of the ineligible for many major awards because it is Aboriginal Housing Management Association, an encyclopaedia and because it was originally and member of the St’at’imc Nation, Canada, published in German, under the authorship of Andrew Leach. William Blandowski. ASP also helped to fund an Conference sessions covered a broad range ACT Writers’ Centre masterclass for Indigenous of topics. This year’s program included a new authors wanting to produce publishable feature — a series of dialogue forums focusing Captions:?? manuscripts. on issues such as negotiating native title claims, Again, ASP donated to the Indigenous Literacy managing disputes, economic development, Foundation (formerly project). Funds raised native title proof, case management, native title by the foundation help purchase and supply benefits and constitutional reform. Indigenous culturally appropriate books and literacy talking circles were held throughout the resources for more than two hundred remote conference and this year the first men’s talking communities around Australia. circle was held on the topic of social and emotional wellbeing. Research program The conference logo was based on artwork by The Research Program disseminates the Ugarapul artist, Cecil Anderson. The conference outcomes of research through external peer- cultural program included a welcome to country reviewed publications, conference and seminar by Maroochy Barambah and performances by presentations, professional workshops and the Wagga Torres Strait Island Dance Company,

46 Top (left): Conference Keynote Speaker The Hon. Justice Patrick A Keane, (Chief Justice, Federal Court of Australia); Top (middle) Meriam woman, Dr Kerry Arabena who delivered the 2011 Mabo Lecture; Top (right) Mick Gooda (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner), Andrew Leach (CEO of Canada’s Aboriginal Housing Management Association and member of the St’at’imc Nation) and Professor Mick Dodson AM (AIATSIS Chairperson).

Bottom (left): CEO of Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) Kevin Smith speaks at the Conference’s opening reception; Bottom (right): a member of the Wakka Wakka Dancers during the Welcome to Country opening ceremony. Photographs by Carbon Media.

Taking Mabo spirit into the future

What might the native title agenda look like in ‘This is the natural trajectory for native title, fifty years? a fluid movement between reconciling people, Chief Executive Officer of the Lowitja to reconciling people and the planet. Institute and Meriam woman, Dr Kerry Arabena, ‘Change we must, and change we can. In suggested a greatly expanded agenda when fact every time a culture has been transformed giving the Mabo Lecture at the 2011 Native from what it was before — for better or worse Title Conference in Brisbane in June. — it has been because of an idea, an insight, a It was the 10th annual Mabo Lecture. Past new understanding of how things are, and what is possible. speakers have included Noel Pearson, Aden ‘Eddie Koiki Mabo’s simple idea that the Ridgeway, Galarrwuy Yunipingu, Professor Mick Queensland government didn’t 'own' his Dodson and Professor Marcia Langton. and his people’s Mer Island led to the most Dr Arabena said that Eddie Koiki Mabo fundamental shift in the relationship between had a vision that his Torres Strait island home, coloniser and colonised in Australian history.’ Mer, would be there for all its descendents. Dr Arabena said that beyond current native She suggested that in fifty years native title title work there was an expanded native title practitioners could be helping the planet to agenda. ‘We all have a role and responsibility move from a period of human devastation to to protect the health of ecosystems and those one of harmony between people and the earth. who reside in them,’ she said. ‘I could suggest that a future vision might be The 2011 National Native Title Conference that the world, in all its magnificence, simply was co-convened by AIATSIS and the remains here for future generations,’ she said. Queensland South Native Title Services. AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

the Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers and museum outreach; IT and education; language the Wakka Wakka Dancers. revitalisation; voice and representation; ICT and creative solutions; the social impact of digital Sponsorship of $190,000 supported the media; placing culture online: opportunities and participation of Indigenous delegates. FaHCSIA challenges; safeguarding the virtual world; and was the principal conference sponsor, Newmont media associations and remote communities. Asia Pacific was a major sponsor with other This forum brought together 228 delegates, sponsors including the Australian Government’s including 150 visitors to Canberra, eight from Attorney-General’s Department, Department overseas. Some eighty-nine organisations were of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, represented at the conference, with sixty- the Queensland Government’s Department nine presentations from Indigenous and non- of Environment and Resource Management, Indigenous Business Australia, Indigenous Land Indigenous researchers, community workers Corporation, and the Minerals Council of and IT specialists. The final plenary session Australia. The National Native Title Tribunal, led to the development of a statement on key Reconciliation Australia and the Koori Mail were issues. For further information about the ITIC conference supporters. symposium, including the key issues statement, and video and audio recordings of many of the Presentations from the conference will be made presentations, see www.aiatsis.gov.au/research/ available on the AIATSIS website. symposia/Digi10.html.

Information Technology and Indigenous Changing the conversation Communities In April 2011, AIATSIS held a second meeting In July 2010, AIATSIS convened the to discuss perceptions of identity, ‘authenticity’ Information Technologies and Indigenous and the prevalence of deficit discourse within Communities (ITIC) symposium. The Australian Indigenous communities. The meeting built National University (ANU) and the National on key issues identified in an initial workshop Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) co-hosted in December 2009, and published as an the event, which was held in conjunction AIATSIS Discussion Paper no. 28, ‘“Will the with the National Recording Project’s ninth real Aborigine please stand up”: strategies for symposium on Indigenous music and dance. breaking the stereotypes and changing the The ITIC symposium showcased the variety of conversation’. Co-hosted and co-funded by the ways Indigenous communities use information Lowitja Institute, the April 2011 meeting was technology with sessions including mapping attended by more than 50 Aboriginal and Torres and management; digital media and cultural Strait Islander people from across Australia. transmission; community collecting and

Christine Eccles, Lyndon Ormond-Parker, Daryl Main session at ITIC, held in the Australian MacIntyre, Russell Taylor and Aaron Corn at the Academy of Science adjacent to the ANU. ITIC film screening and reception on the evening Photograph by Gerald Preiss. of 13 July 2010. Photograph by Gerald Preiss. 48 2. INFORMATION

50 years: a retrospective Other workshops On 8 June 2011, Dr Geoffrey Gray and Dr AIATSIS researchers Sarah Cutfield and Salome Jakelin Troy convened a symposium, ‘50 Harris hosted a workshop at the Institute on Years: a retrospective’, held in the Great Hall the Dalabon online corpus in July 2010. The at University House, in the ANU, Canberra. workshop established a work program and set of The symposium both celebrated, and reflected protocols for the remainder of 2010–11. on, the significance of the 1961 Research Dr Jakelin Troy and Dr Doug Marmion Conference on Australian Aboriginal Studies continue their work as co-convenors of the held at University House in May that year. language and Indigenous issues strand of the It was a momentous conference that helped upcoming Langfest conferences, to be held at establish the Australian Institute of Aboriginal the ANU in November 2011. Studies, and was convened by WEH Stanner, then Reader in Comparative Institutions at the AIATSIS Seminar Series ANU. Ruth Latukefu (Fink), who appeared in the 1961 conference photo, attended the The second series for 2010, ‘Text and Texture’, symposium. was convened by Dr Jeanine Leane and examined the role of Aboriginal and Torres The symposium was opened by the Chairperson Strait Islander writers and researchers as a of the Institute, Professor Mick Dodson, with counter to mainstream Australian literature. the keynote address, ‘A fight against time: the Some sixteen Indigenous authors and poets 1961 conference’, being given by Emeritus explored the various layers of the writing Professor DJ Mulvaney. The results of the process, such as the misrepresentation of symposium will appear in an edited volume, Indigenous people by non-Indigenous writers, and a podcast will soon be available on the the fabrication of Australia’s past, and the AIATSIS website. layers of ‘convenient truth’ that have silenced Indigenous experience and need to be excavated AIATSIS National Indigenous Studies through Indigenous writing. Conference Planning is well underway for the biennial The first seminar series of 2011, convened by National Indigenous Studies conference, to Sarah Cutfield, examined the perceptions of be held in September 2011. With the theme Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages of ‘Young and old: connecting generations’, in the public domain. Linguists, historians, AIATSIS has received more than one hundred language workers and anthropologists gave abstract submissions and a further ten proposals presentations. They explored the underlying to convene sessions. A preliminary program is assumptions and causes of misconceptions about planned for the end of July, with registrations Indigenous languages as well as the resulting opening in mid-July 2011. The social program challenges and creative solutions they generate. will include Indigenous film screenings and Seminars are webcast live with moving image a reception at the National Film and Sound and audio staff providing digital files to make Archive, as well as a conference dinner and presentations available on the AIATSIS website tour of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander soon after the event: see http://www.aiatsis. galleries at the National Gallery of Australia. As gov.au/research/seminars.html. The venue for at June 2011, sponsorship was already double the series, the Mabo Room, was refurbished that of the previous conference in 2009. to improve the video and audio quality of Audio and video recordings from the 2009 presentations. This included upgrading the video conference, as well as most seminars, are now projection and conferencing systems to provide available online: see http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/ more engaging web broadcasts and installing an research/communication.html. amplifier which broadcasts the seminar’s audio

49 AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

directly to the hearing aids of hearing impaired • Dr Lorraine Gibson, staff and visitors. • Dr Barbara Glowczewski, National Center for Scientific Research, Paris Public programs on the web • Dr Geoff Gray, AIATSIS To increase accessibility to its public programs, • Professor Francoise Dussart, University of AIATSIS has been live webcasting from Connecticut, US seminars and conference sessions, and placing • Professor Robert Layton, University of footage on the web for subsequent viewing Durham, UK since February 2009; see http://www.aiatsis. gov.au/research/seminars.html. Archived videos • Professor Colleen Hayward, Edith Cowan are also available via http://vimeo.com/aiatsis/ University videos. In 2010–11, some 1202 web visitors • Dr Melinda Hinkson, ANU accessed the footage on the Institute’s website • Professor Howard Morphy, ANU from as far as the United States, Great Britain, • Professor Fred Myers, New York University, Canada, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Germany, US Belgium, Italy and Denmark. The most popular • Professor Martin Nakata, University of New items during the year were from the July 2010 South Wales Information Technologies and Indigenous • Professor John Maynard, University of Communities symposium. Newcastle Research publications • Dr Yin Paradies, University of Melbourne • Professor Lester Irabinna Rigney, Flinders The Research Program communicates its research findings through external peer- University reviewed publications, conference and seminar • Professor Tim Rowse, University of Western presentations, professional workshops and Sydney forums, in-house publications, information • Professor Lynette Russell, Monash University services and web resources (see Chapter 1 and • Dr Gaye Sculthorpe, National Native Title Appendixes 1 and 2 for more information). Tribunal Development of research publications continued • Dr Patrick Sullivan, AIATSIS throughout 2010–11. This included working on • Dr Anthea-Jo Taylor, Edith Cowan University strategies to increase Indigenous authorship and • Professor John Taylor, ANU developing Australian Aboriginal Studies (AAS) in • Dr Graeme Ward, AIATSIS. line with recommendations from the Institute’s A number of edited volumes are being Research Advisory Committee. As part of this development the research publication developed from public programs including the committees were re-organised to include a high 2009­–10 Seminar Series, and the AIATSIS 2009 level strategic Research Publications Committee, National Indigenous Studies Conference. These an internal Research Publications Operations are expected to be published in the first half of Committee and a new Editorial Advisory 2011–12. Board for AAS. Members of the new Editorial Research grant reports from 2000 onwards are Advisory Board are: being digitised ready for future publication on • Ms Toni Bauman, AIATSIS the AIATSIS website. It is now a requirement • Ms Jeanie Bell, Batchelor Institute of of grant contracts that an abstract of results be Indigenous Tertiary Education provided for web publication. • Professor Mick Dodson, ANU Substantial progress has been made to set up • Associate Professor Pat Dudgeon, University a web delivery platform to enable research of publications to be printed on demand. This is

50 2. INFORMATION

expected to become available in the first half of Native title publications the 2011–12 financial year. The Native Title Research Unit (NTRU) produces a range of publications, including peer- Australian Aboriginal Studies reviewed discussion and issues papers designed The first issue for the year of the Institute’s to target emerging themes, extend debate and twice-yearly inter-disciplinary research journal disseminate native title research. The NTRU Australian Aboriginal Studies (AAS 2010/2) was employed a publications officer, Lydia Glick, guest edited by Dr Sarah Holcombe and Dr to manage the Unit’s publications. Ms Glick Michael Davis. It considered ‘Contemporary worked with both internal and external authors ethical issues in Australian Indigenous research’. to finalise the publication of three issues papers Of its nine major articles, four have Indigenous and two discussion papers. She also oversaw the authorship or co-authorship. The first journal establishment of a new editorial committee and for 2011 (AAS 2011/1) is non-thematic, updated the NTRU style guide. containing papers on a range of subjects including young people and information Current news and information is compiled technology, language maps, housing, Aboriginal by NTRU research assistant, Matthew literature in Australian audiobooks, and an O’Rourke, and published monthly in What’s analysis of Aboriginal-settler relations in the New and Native Title in the News. Both of these Eurobodalla region of New South Wales. publications are distributed electronically to 568 subscribers (up from 353 for 2009–10) The University of Sydney is developing a and published on the AIATSIS website. Mr volume of papers, to be delivered in early 2012, O’Rourke also edits the Native Title Newsletter, for possible publication as a thematic edition of which is published six times a year. Each AAS. The volume will focus on policy, with all edition includes feature articles and a listing authors being Indigenous postgraduate students of recent Library acquisitions of native title- mentored through the publication process by related materials, as well as incorporating Native their PhD supervisors and experienced editors. Title in the News and elements of What’s New. At the start of 2011, AAS editor, Dr Cressida The newsletter is delivered electronically and Fforde, made a submission to the ranked outlets in hard copy to 879 subscribers (up from 644 public consultation of the ARC’s Excellence subscribers for 2009–10), and is available free in Research for Australia (ERA) 2012. The from the AIATSIS website. submission supported: The NTRU publishes a number of native title • changing the journal’s current field of research resources on the AIATSIS website, including: codes to an overall ‘multidisciplinary’ category • national summaries of Indigenous land • re-ranking AAS from ‘B’ to ‘A’. use agreements, native title determinations and registered native title bodies corporate Following public consultation, the ARC has (RNTBCs) stopped ranking journals. The future of the field • the Native Title Resource Guide which provides of research code is not yet known. A change an overview of the native title system to the multidisciplinary category would mean that articles published in AAS from any of the • research resources relating to native title case disciplines within the Indigenous studies sector, law and specific NTRU research projects could be assessed as part of the ERA process. • national, state and territory toolkits for RNTBCs and RNTBC profiles Other publications • native title research and access service. The revised Guidelines for ethical research in The NTRU’s native title research and access Australian Indigenous studies were published on officer, Grace Koch, provides expert advice, the AIATSIS website in June 2011 following a research and access assistance to native title lengthy review. clients on the holdings of the AIATSIS Library

51 AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

and Audiovisual Archives. See Table 1 for 228 clients visited Audiovisual Access to review a summary of the transactions for different materials held in the collection. categories of requests, the percentage of Most clients are remote users and are helped via transactions for each category, the number of email, mail and telephone. During 2010–11 staff requests and the number of client visits. received 616 requests (see Figure 6), an increase of 48 from the previous financial year. About Library and audiovisual 64 per cent of these were from Aboriginal and archive Torres Strait Islander peoples, compared with 54 per cent during the previous year and 33 per The Library is open to the general public cent in 2008–09. for study and reference. Mura®, the Institute’s online catalogue, includes detailed Of the 616 client requests received, 403 requests documentation on all catalogued AIATSIS were completed during the reporting period collections materials. The AIATSIS thesauri can (see Figure 7). be used to browse the collections in depth. The Audiovisual Archive is open to anyone Library services who wishes to access and research audiovisual Library reference staff provide information materials, although appointments are necessary. services and access to the collections both On-site access and copying of materials depends to visitors and to remote clients. For clients on copyright provisions and the conditions in remote areas, content is accessible on the determined by depositors and donors in AIATSIS website, including the catalogue, consultation with collection management staff. online collections, fact sheets and bibliographies. Remote clients can also access information Services provided by both the Library and services by telephone, mail, fax and email. Audiovisual Archive will be reduced in 2011–12 as a result of budgetary constraints. Demand for the Library’s reference and information services continued previous trends, Audiovisual Archive services rising steadily throughout 2010–11 and placing increasing pressure on staff. Table 2 shows use of The Audiovisual Archive (AVA) serves a wide the Library over the past three years (see p. 54). range of clients, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, During 2010–11, reference staff produced 67 academic researchers, publishers, broadcasters, new or updated bibliographies of the Library’s government agencies, other collecting holdings on individual Indigenous languages. organisations and the general public. This year, The bibliographies are well used, with more

Table 1: Requests for native title research and access services, 2007–11 Request source 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 No. % No. % No. % No. % Indigenous individuals 107 8 93 5 176 10 210 12 Indigenous organisations 404 29 458 27 531 29 443 24 Government 364 26 472 26 432 24 459 25 Consultants/private companies 229 16 372 21 326 18 230 13 Other 289 21 381 21 346 19 485 26 Total number of transactions 1,393 100 1,776 100 1,811 100 1,827 100 Total number of requests 289 301 331 344 Number of visits 54 63 57 60

52 2. INFORMATION

Figure 6: Total percentage of AVA client requests; 616, 2010–11 than 300 available on the AIATSIS website. They focus has consequently been realigned to complement other AIATSIS language resources support only the national Link-Up network. such as the language thesaurus, AUSTLANG The Unit will now provide the program with and the Collectors of words online exhibition. additional research support activities. Although specialised family history services to the public Family History Unit ended in March 2011, temporary staff have been The Institute’s Library is responsible for the employed to answer the remaining backlog of Family History Unit, which is funded by the enquiries. Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health as part of the national Link-Up program. Adjusting to the termination of public services It works to fulfill the recommendations of meant that considerable time was spent on the Bringing them home report. The Unit assists changing procedures and training the Library’s Link-Up caseworkers around Australia to trace reference desk staff. The Library is providing family and reunite Indigenous people who were reference services for general family history removed from their families. It provides research inquiries from the collections, but not for support through workshops on tracing families, extended inquiries. an enquiry service and case reviews for the The Unit has focused on moving from Link-Up organisations. providing services to the general public to The Family History Unit underwent a strategic a Link-Up only service model. Activities review during 2010–11. The Unit’s role and supporting this transition included:

Figure 7: Comparison of AVA client requests, 2009–11 53 AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

Table 2: Requests for library services, 2008–11 Increases in key areas 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 Increase over 3 years Advanced queries 524 652 687 31% Document supply requests 281 462 609 117%

• developing handouts, training and other review all personal name headings in the ABI. resources to help the Library’s reference desk This will help clients searching for people in the staff answer family history queries that are no index. longer referred to the Family History Unit • liaising with reference and other staff about Visits the changes, and training reference desk staff The Audiovisual Archive visited communities to deal with common family history inquiries and also hosted visits from many Indigenous • updating web fact sheets in the family individuals and groups. It provided access history information kit to support a self-help and copies of material from the collections approach throughout the year. Archival material, including • identifying appropriate team-building photos, audio recordings and films, are sought opportunities to support family history staff for various reasons, including for deposit in during a period of significant change. community archives, to revitalise language, or for ceremony, art, native title and family history One of the Unit’s major achievements was the research. accreditation of the family history research course delivered to Link-Up caseworkers. The Purfleet community, Taree Unit’s staff worked with the Canberra Institute The Audiovisual Archive visited the Purfleet of Technology (CIT) and its Yurauna Centre community in Taree, New South Wales. Around throughout most of 2010–11 to redevelop 400 people from as far away as Kempsey course and accreditation materials. All successful visited AIATSIS staff over three days from 28 participants will now receive a formal CIT March to 1 April 2011. This community access qualification. visit generated requests for copies of 1548 audiovisual items and further requests are still The Unit delivered three family history research being received since staff returned from Taree workshops at AIATSIS to Link-Up caseworkers (see box p. 58). in July and October 2010, and June 2011. It has now trained more than 215 caseworkers since Gooniyandi and Walmajarri visitors 1999 when it joined the Link-Up program. Gooniyandi and Walmajarri people from The Unit maintains an extensive Indigenous Western Australia’s Kimberley communities, family history website. Special features include a accompanied by anthropologist Professor Sandy family history research kit and links to valuable Toussaint, visited the AVA from 6–8 April. web resources such as record indexes and guides The aim of the visit was to educate younger to records. The Unit’s website was redeveloped community members about the wealth of information that exists in the Phyllis Kaberry as part of its new role with a strong focus on and other AIATSIS collections. Library staff self-help in research. The site is well used by helped the visitors to access genealogies relating Link-Up caseworkers, libraries, archives and to their families (see box p. 55). the public, with more than a million visits since 2003. Nyigina language search Indexing for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait The Research Program assisted two commu- Islander Biographical Index (ABI) continued nity members, Patricia and Jeannie Warbi in 2010–11 with 13,007 records created or from Broome in Western Australia, to visit the modified. Library staff completed a project to Audiovisual Archive. AIATSIS visiting researcher,

54 Long way for a close look

Four members of a remote Kimberley collection of her mother as a young woman, community travelled a long way in April to while her son Russell found information about learn more about families and issues close his family history. They took this home to to their hearts. Lillian’s mother, Topsy Chestnut, who was Three Gooniyandi people and one unable to travel with the group, due to ill Walmajarri person journeyed from the Fitzroy health. Valley in WA to AIATSIS in Canberra to She said the visit showed how important it research the field notes, genealogies, maps was for Aboriginal people themselves to be and photographs recorded in their country able to directly access documented material more than eighty years ago by anthropologist, from the past. Phyllis Kaberry. ‘It is wonderful that Kaberry’s field notes, Jimmy Shandley, Marminjiya Joy Nuggett, genealogies, maps and photographs, are Lillian Chestnut and Russell Topliss came to preserved as part of the substantial collection Canberra with the Australian trustee of the Dr of archival and contemporary material held at Phyllis Kaberry Collection, Adjunct Professor AIATSIS,’ Professor Toussaint said. Sandy Toussaint, from the University of Western ‘For descendants to be able to look at field Australia. notes and see photographs helps enormously Professor Toussaint described the visit as a with family histories, continuing family ties, and ‘significant moment for everyone’. associated concerns such as native title issues. ‘Family members were able to draw on ‘We have all worked very hard interpreting their knowledge of ancestors, as well as known the material, and it was a long trip here — and places and events, and combine this with it’s a long trip back — but everyone has made information recorded eighty years ago by plain that the trip has been very worthwhile’. Kaberry,’ she said. Collection of her mother as a young woman. Photographs by John Paul Janke. Professor Toussaint said that Lillian had found photographs in the larger AIATSIS and Lillian Chestnut. Right: Lillian Chestnut found photographs in the larger AIATSIS Left (standing): Marminjiya Joy Nuggett and Jimmy Shandley; (sitting) Russell Topliss AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

Magali McDuffie, helped the two visitors to • Sound recordings relating to Mithaka, Pita access Nyigina language audio material, which Pita, Wangkangurru and Wangkamana were they were surprised to discover existed and was provided to Traditional Owners of the Lake being kept safely at AIATSIS. Eyre Basin area of Queensland. These will help develop vocabulary lists that can then Return of Materials to Indigenous be used to produce language dictionaries. Communities The Traditional Owners will also use the recordings as an aide-memoire for elders to The Return of Materials to Indigenous Clients record more language material. Draft pictorial (ROMTIC) program provides Indigenous dictionaries will be developed in consultation clients with greater access to the audiovisual with elders. The final publication will be collections. Through ROMTIC up to twenty supplied to Traditional Owners, libraries, collection items are returned to clients at no archives and schools. cost. During the reporting period 2087 items • The Dharriwaa Elders Group from Walgett, valued at $111,176 were copied and returned to NSW received audio materials of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients (see language to deposit in the Elders Figure 8). Centre Library. The Dharriwaa elders will Audiovisual Archive staff worked with the manage appropriate access to the language free advertising postcard company, Avant recordings and intend to create educational Card, to produce a postcard promoting the materials for schools in the Gamilaraay region. AIATSIS Community Access and Return of AVA staff compiled all Gamilaraay language Materials to Indigenous Communities services. materials held in the Archive on five CDs. Around 63,300 cards were distributed to Fifty copies of the five-CD set have been cafes, universities, arts venues, museums and made for the elders and provided under the other institutions around Australia. Avant Card ROMTIC program. reported that it was the quickest and most • Dhanggal Gurruwiwi, from Nhulunbuy in popular uptake they had experienced. the Northern Territory, requested, on behalf of her family, copies of recordings of her The largest request fulfilled under the father Monyu, who was a respected elder ROMTIC program this financial year was for and medicine man in the community. This the South Australian Inhaadi Adnyamathanha request is another example of Indigenous Ngawarla Language Program. Through this people accessing rare and unique materials program elders are involved in weekly classes from the AVA to help the younger generation to encourage Indigenous children and youth learn about their family history. Dhanggal also to better understand culture as they develop located a restricted film featuring her brother language proficiency. Other requests include: Djalu and their father Monyu performing • the Yolngu Multimedia Archive and secret healing rituals. Production Centre (Muka) in Yirrkala, • The Dawita Cultural Centre has requested all Northern Territory, last year requested more materials relating to Yam and Yorke Islands in than 1000 items from the audio, moving the Torres Strait. The requested material will and still image collections for return to be deposited in the Dawita Cultural Centre the community archive. The Archive is Museum’s library for all community members receiving many requests like this one, where to access. a group requests everything relating to their • The Milingimbi community in the Northern community that is held by AIATSIS. Where Territory has requested 100 photographs those materials have not yet been transferred and audio material that they intend to use to the digital format, the waiting period to to develop a community website. The staff receive the requested items can be long. In responded to this urgent request in just two this case the materials will be returned to weeks, putting it ahead of more than 200 Yirrkala in batches over two years. outstanding requests. This enabled

56 2. INFORMATION

Dr Louise Hamby from the ANU to take updated and anyone interested in contributing the items with her when she visited the new information, or correcting existing material, community. is invited to email their comments to • The Doomadgee State School and Waanyi [email protected]. community in Queensland received audio materials to be used in Digitisation outreach compiling a Waayni dictionary for community Digitisation of print collections members and children. The Library Digitisation Unit scanned and On-site exhibitions preserved 45,384 digital files for preservation As part of the launch of the complete backset and access in 2010–11. of the Koori Mail newspaper on the AIATSIS The AIATSIS Digitisation Program funded a website, a collection of front pages spanning staff member to catalogue digital material into twenty years was exhibited in the AIATSIS Mura®. The material includes books that are out Library and foyer in May–June 2011. of copyright, archived websites and publications from Australia’s web archive, PANDORA, which Online collections is managed by the National Library of Australia Through the AIATSIS Digitisation Program, the and partner organisations. This has increased the Library created a major new online collection number of records on Mura® that are linked on the AIATSIS website featuring twenty years to electronic format material, and makes these of the Koori Mail (1991–2011). The online records accessible to remote users. collection is a valuable resource recording two decades of Indigenous history and life. The The Library continued its commitment to board of the Koori Mail generously made this PANDORA, which started in 2006. Staff are copyrighted material available to the community archiving a limited range of Indigenous websites (see box p. 60). and individual publications on PANDORA. All archived PANDORA websites are individually Online collections continue to be very catalogued and are accessible on Mura®. successful, with a total of 507,414 hits on all digitisation web pages during 2010–11. The Library staff have been digitally preserving out- most popular of these was Dawn magazine of-copyright books and making them accessible with its thousands of photographs. It received through Mura®. To date, more than 400 titles 157,076 hits. The Dawn online collection have been added. This has enabled clients to was redesigned along with most of the other remotely access some of the Institute’s rare book collections. Online collections are regularly collection through its catalogue and website.

Figure 8: Value of materials returned to Indigenous clients, 2010–11

57 Archival treat for Taree’s Purfleet community

When you live on the mid-north coast of New Community members were pleasantly South Wales, a visit to Canberra to look up surprised to discover how many photographs, local history records may seem like a great idea, video and audio materials AIATSIS holds about but a remote option. their community and language. Many found So a three-day visit by AIATSIS Audiovisual photographs of themselves and their families Archive staff in March 2011 to Taree’s Purfleet that they did not know existed. community not only brought the collection The photographs from the 1988 AIATSIS up close, but was an eye-opener for the local publication After 200 years: photographic community. essays of Aboriginal and Islander Australia Around 400 people came from as far as today, also created much interest. Kempsey to talk to AIATSIS staff and to learn At the venue, staff showed footage of the more about the material held by the Institute. first Taree Aboriginal Debutante Ball held in the The visit was part of the Institute’s Return late 1980s. The DVD played continuously and of Materials to Indigenous Communities was a huge crowd pleaser, drawing a constant (ROMTIC) program and was organised with laughing audience of community members, the support of community representative Ms who recognised themselves in their youth and Katrina Russell, as well as the Biripi Aboriginal finery. Medical Service, the Ghinni Ghinni Youth and Many copies of this DVD have been Culture Aboriginal Corporation and the Greater requested along with requests for some 1548 Taree City Council. audiovisual items. Pictorial Access Unit staff brought with them Sadly, for 2011–12 the Institute will relatively recent photographs of community reluctantly curtail some of its planned regional members, but were also able to provide activities including ROMTIC to divert available access to the Institute’s much wider database internal resources towards its digitisation of photographs from the surrounding region, program which expired on 30 June 2011. including some that dated back more than forty The Audiovisual Archive will not be able to years. undertake any community access activities. Opposite page: Senior Access Officer Kylie Simpson helping a client from Foster; Top (this page): Warner (left) and Harold Saunders looking at old Taree/Purfleet newspapers; Middle left: Norma Callaghan (left) and Rosalind Clarke looking through photographs; Bottom left: Archive Officer Jeannene Curtis with Purfleet resident Rex Morris; Above: Kyanne Jakal (left) and Leonie Delaney. All photographs by Daniel Walding. Koori Mail goes online at AIATSIS

A 35,000-page goldmine of recent social and The newspaper’s chairman, Russell Kapeen, political Aboriginal history can now be tapped said its Bundjalung board of directors had been into online. pleased to support the digitisation project. Twenty years worth of stories, photos and ‘The Koori Mail began in 1991 and was cartoons published in the Koori Mail have Australia’s first wholly Indigenous-owned been digitised and uploaded onto the AIATSIS fortnightly newspaper,’ Mr Kapeen said. website at www.aiatsis.gov.au/koorimail. ‘Initially we circulated only in New South It is the first time in Australia’s history that Wales, Queensland and Victoria but we are a complete run of an in-copyright national now a truly national newspaper, read by an newspaper has been made available free estimated 100,000-plus people each fortnight. online. ‘To have all of our editions available online The AIATSIS library digitisation team is groundbreaking. We believe the wealth of digitised some 35,000 pages dating back to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander opinions newspaper’s first edition in 1991. Staff worked and viewpoints expressed in the Koori Mail with partners CAVAL, an Australian not-for- makes an important contribution to the national profit company that provides library services landscape. to libraries in Australia, New Zealand and Asia, ‘The collection will be an important and also with the State Library of New South research tool for Indigenous people, students Wales, which provided the metadata from years and anyone interested in a truly rounded of indexing the newspaper. perspective on national debate. We thank and Issues, including photo captions, can be commend AIATSIS staff for their efforts in this searched by keywords, name, subject, date important initiative.’ and issue number. The Koori Mail retains full copyright of its material, so formal permission The Library's Digitisation Team with twenty years of is still required to reproduce the collection’s the Koori Mail now online. From left: James Cahir, Daryl Ciubal, Kylie Martin, Rod Stroud, Jake Smith, content. Jeana Bajic and Gerald Preiss. Photograph by Kerstin Styche. 2. INFORMATION

Promotion and conferences Strategic alliances Several Library and Family History Unit staff During 2010–11, the Library and the attended the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Audiovisual Archive fostered close working Islander Library and Information Resource relationships with many important institutional Network Conference in Adelaide during partners. This section provides an indicative November 2010. but not exhaustive description of the major collaborations undertaken during the year. At the conference AIATSIS staff members Judith Cannon and Jenny Wood co-presented National Library of Australia a paper, ‘Talkin’ names’, based on a tutorial that The National Library of Australia (NLA) they developed to guide libraries on the best provides many valuable support services and methods of establishing headings for Aboriginal resources to clients. For AIATSIS, this includes and Torres Strait Islander personal names. The Libraries Australia and Trove. tutorial is available on the AIATSIS website at http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/collections/ Libraries Australia and Trove talkinnames.html. It includes self-paced modules Libraries Australia is an online resource that and practice sessions for hands-on experience. provides access to the national database of Another tutorial, ‘Connecting to country, material held in Australian libraries. Users can Australian place names’, is nearly completed and search for any item and locate which library in will complement the ‘Talkin’ names’ tutorial, Australia holds the item. adding a further resource for indexers and Trove is a web-based discovery system cataloguers of material with Indigenous content. that includes images, newspapers, archived Staffer Alana Garwood-Houng presented a paper websites, maps, print materials and audio and ‘Pathways to Indigenous art’, on the AIATSIS photographic materials. Trove also provides Thesaurus and the arts, at the Arts Libraries access to Libraries Australia. Society Australia and New Zealand Conference In 2010–11 the AIATSIS Library increased in Darwin in September 2010. Library and significantly the amount of its holdings on Audiovisual Archive staff attended a number Libraries Australia. This helps raise awareness of other conferences in 2010–11 including of the Institute’s collections. In particular this Information Online in Sydney, during included 7240 original cataloguing records. February 2011. More Australian libraries are adding their Moving image staff filmed vox pop interviews holdings to records using terms from the at a meeting of chief executive officers of native AIATSIS thesaurus, ensuring more appropriate title representative bodies for the AIATSIS access to Indigenous collections. Native Title Conference, held in June. Staff edited these interviews and gave 100 copies The AIATSIS Library is an active participant in Libraries Australia Document Delivery, an to the Native Title Research Unit to use for Internet-based system for interlibrary lending promotion and to attract potential sponsors. and document delivery, managed by the Website National Library. The Institute’s Library borrows, lends and copies materials to and from other The AIATSIS website is the prime means Australian libraries. of promoting the Institute and its work. The website offers webcasts, collections catalogue Audiovisual Archive and National Library and guides, and online content to expand of Australia (NLA) staff worked together public awareness of the Institute’s work and to include catalogue records of AIATSIS achievements. audiovisual materials on Trove. Trove is now able to search text from linked caption lists and The Library provides much of the technical finding aids as well as from catalogue records. expertise for the website’s design and layout as well as the online collections. 61 AIATSIS ANNUAL REPORT 10–11

This greatly increases opportunities for users to National Film and Sound Archive locate relevant materials. Moving image staff worked with the National Audiovisual Archive staff member Marisa Film and Sound Archive (NFSA) to compare Harris was seconded to the NLA for fifteen the quality of data created from the AIATSIS months to assist with the online delivery of telecine equipment and their own newly- the Bringing them home oral history interviews. acquired film scanner. The project was a huge success with around The NFSA’s industry liaison officer with 200 interviewees giving approval for their australianscreen online, Maddy Kortegast, recordings to be made available via the NLA’s worked with Audiovisual Archive staff to website. Thirty follow-up interviews were also provide moving image content for the commissioned. australianscreen website.

PANDORA Australian Broadcasting Commission The AIATSIS Library is a formal partner in Following the discovery at AIATSIS the PANDORA, Australia’s Web Archive, which is previous year of a filmed interview with supported and hosted by the NLA. Ben Murray, who attended the Killalpaninna mission in northern South Australia, senior ATSIROM moving image curator Tom Eccles worked with The AIATSIS Library regularly adds collections ABC staff on a Stateline segment highlighting records to the ATSIROM database maintained UNESCO’s World Audiovisual Heritage Day, by the commercial service Informit, part of Ben Murray’s life and the AIATSIS collections. the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. Canberra Institute of Technology ATSIROM brings together an extensive collection of significant Australian databases Audio staff worked with the Canberra Institute containing selected bibliographic records from of Technology (CIT) Music Industry Centre, the country’s leading sources and which relate to orient their students in the technological processes used by the Audio Archiving Unit. to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Family History Unit collaborated with the National Museum of Australia Yurauna Centre at the CIT to formally accredit Moving image staff helped the National the Unit’s family history research workshop. Museum of Australia (NMA) to prepare and telecine transfer actuality footage of the Other alliances Australian explorer, Sir Douglas Mawson. During 2010–11, the Library and Audiovisual Archive were involved with a number of leading The Audiovisual Archive regularly provides institutional and professional bodies, including: high resolution digitisation services for NMA exhibitions, including Yiwarra Kuju: The • Australian UNESCO Memory of the World Committee Canning Stock Route, which ran from July 2010 to January 2011. This was a contemporary • National Archives of Australia Canberra art project that looked at the lives and stories Consultative Forum of Western Desert peoples. The Archive also • ACT CANHUG Users Group (Catalogue provided high resolution images for the Systems) museum’s new permanent exhibition Landmarks, • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data which broadly traces Australia’s history since Archive with the University of Technology, European colonisation in the late eighteenth Sydney century. The Library maintained institutional memberships of:

62 2. INFORMATION

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library Audiovisual Archive staff maintained professional and Information Research Network memberships of: • Australian Library and Information • Australian Society of Archivists Association • SIG Indigenous Archives, a special interest • Australian Society of Archivists (ASA) group of the ASA (separately convened) • Australian Government Library and • International Federation of Libraries Information Network Associations and Institutions • Australian and New Zealand Society of • Association of Computer Machinery (US) Indexers. • Australian Institute of Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) • SIG Graphic, a special interest group of the AICCM (separately convened).

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