20 May 2011 MABO ORATION 2011 – FOLLOW THE STARS: INDIGENOUS CULTURE, KNOWLEDGE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS The fourth biennial Mabo Oration, presented by Anti Discrimination Commission Queensland (ADCQ) with support from Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) will feature distinguished lawyer and North Queenslander, Terri Janke as orator. The Mabo Oration 2011 entitled Follow the stars: Indigenous culture, knowledge and intellectual property rights will be held in QPAC’s Playhouse on Sunday 3 July commencing at 5.00pm. The Mabo Oration 2011 is part of The Torres Strait Islands: A Celebration, an extensive celebration of Torres Strait Islander arts and culture across the South Bank cultural precinct, featuring art collections, performances, lectures and activities for all ages from 1 July to 23 October. The stars are navigational tools for Torres Strait Islanders and other Indigenous peoples. Within the stars are stories, culture, law and the link from the past to the future. In her oration, Terri will pay tribute to the work of Eddie Mabo exploring the subject of cultural heritage and the rights of Indigenous people in protecting their knowledge, arts and cultural heritage. Born in North Queensland, Terri has family connections to Cairns, the Torres Strait Islands (Meriam) and Cape York Peninsula (Wuthathi). She has had extensive experience as a lawyer specialising in Indigenous intellectual property, cultural heritage, media and business law and has worked in both the community and commercial law sectors. The Mabo Oration 2011 will also include commentary by Bryan Keon-Cohen QC and performances by didgeridoo artist David Williams and award-winning duo, Busby Marou. Anti Discrimination Commission Queensland has hosted the Mabo Oration in partnership with the Mabo family and QPAC on a biennial basis since 2005 to celebrate the High Court of Australia’s landmark decision on native title rights and the overturning of the proposition of Terra Nullius. Koiki ('Eddie') Mabo was a crusader for Indigenous land rights: fighting and winning a ten-year legal battle with the Queensland Government in the High Court of Australia in 1992. As a result of this court ruling, the proposition known as Terra Nullius was struck down and Koiki became an icon for the struggle for recognition and land rights by the Indigenous peoples of Australia and the Torres Strait. He died shortly before the High Court brought down its verdict. Cont… …2 Presented by Anti Discrimination Commission Queensland with support from QPAC The Mabo Oration 2011 When: Sunday 3 July 5.00pm (light refreshments from 4.30pm) Where: Playhouse, QPAC, Cultural Centre, South Bank Tickets: $20 Bookings: www.qpac.com.au or 136 246 *a $4.95 fee applies per transaction. Ticket price includes GST and Booking Fee. The Mabo Oration 2011 will be signed by Auslan interpreters: to reserve seats contact [email protected] The Queensland Bar Association will accredit The Mabo Oration 2011 for 1.5 CPD points in the non-allocated strand. Additional note: June the 3rd marks the anniversary of Mabo Day - ENDS- Media Enquiries: Cindy Ullrich, Publicity Manager, QPAC ~ 07 3840 7589 ~ 0434 366-038 ~ [email protected] or Inga Tracey Publicity Coordinator, QPAC ~ 07 3840- 7984 ~ [email protected] Biographies of Terri Janke, Bryan Keon-Cohen QC, David Williams and Busby Marou follow: Biography - Terri Janke Terri was born in north Queensland and has family connections to Cairns, the Torres Strait Islands (Meriam) and Cape York Peninsula (Wuthathi). Terri graduated from the University of New South Wales in 1995 with two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Law. She commenced practice the same year and in 2000 established her own law firm, Terri Janke and Company. Terri has had extensive experience as a lawyer specialising in Indigenous intellectual property, cultural heritage, media and business law. She has worked in both the community and commercial law sector. Her client base includes individuals, corporations, government (local, state and federal), community organisations and international agencies. Terri's areas of practice include; Indigenous intellectual property, trade marks, domain names, IP management plans, copyright, artists rights and licensing rights, Indigenous cultural protocols, research ethics and business law. Her expertise and skills extend to report writing, facilitation of meetings, workshops and discussions, trainer and presenter on legal and cultural issues. …3 Terri Janke bio continued… Terri is a natural mediator, accredited by the LEADR Association of Dispute Resolvers. She is a prominent and energetic public speaker who brings a unique perspective to the resolution of legal issues and negotiations. Terri has spoken to diverse and enthusiastic audiences and in 2009 delivered addresses at the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, the IED Forum in Alice Springs, and presented the keynote address for the Toyota Public Lecture Series at the Australian National University. She is also a graduate of the Company Directors Course which she completed in 2009, from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Terri is currently enrolled in a PhD at the National Centre for Indigenous Studies, Australian National University (supervisors Professor Mick Dodson, Professor Peter Veth and Dr Matthew Rimmer). Terri has also completed the LEADR Mediation Certificate Course. Terri is widely regarded as a leader in her field and is highly distinguished. Terri was awarded the Highly Commended, Aboriginal Justice Award from the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW in 2007. In 2005 Terri was listed on the NSW Women's Honour Roll and in 2001 Terri was named Evolving Business Winner in the NSW Aboriginal Employment and Business Awards. In 1995 Terri received the John Koowarta Reconciliation Law Scholarship. Biography - Bryan Keon-Cohen QC Bryan Keon-Cohen QC taught at the Monash Law School 1974 -78 where, as founding editor, he began the Fitzroy Legal Service Bulletin, still publishing as Alternative Law Journal. He worked with the Australian Law Reform Commission until 1981 focusing on the recognition of Aboriginal Customary Law. He has been in practice at the Victorian Bar since 1982. He took silk in 1996. Bryan has acted for and advised many indigenous communities throughout Australia, and numerous individuals and groups alleging breaches of human rights and civil liberties. He has appeared in the Federal and High Courts in major constitutional and other cases including Mabo, the Dams Case, Levy (implied right of free speech), Chan (refugee status) Yorta Yorta, the so-called Stolen Generation claim, and Wik. He has spoken at many conferences, published numerous articles and edited two books of essays on indigenous rights, especially native title. During the 1980s -- 90s he was a committee member and Secretary of Liberty Victoria. He has conducted research tours into indigenous rights, as a consultant to World Vision, in North America, South Africa and Brazil. Between 1998 -- 2000 he took leave from the Bar to become the senior lawyer at Mirimbiak, the Victorian native title representative body. In 1999 he was appointed adjunct professor at the Monash Law School. Recently, he taught an undergraduate subject at the Clayton and Prato (Italy) campuses entitled "Indigenous Rights: a Comparative Analysis." He is currently a PhD candidate at Monash, and has written a book/thesis: The Mabo litigation: a Memoir expected to be published later this year. He has received two awards for Pro Bono services. …4 David Williams Bio A descendant of the Wakka Wakka people from central southwest Queensland, David Williams was brought up with his culture in suburban Rockhampton, Queensland. Learning traditional songs from his grandmother, David experienced first-hand the language and music of his people from an early age. Growing up in a musical family, he began learning the trombone from an early age. During his trombone studies, he would often cross over and play the didgeridoo as his skills as a brass player enabled him to develop his own style of blending traditional and contemporary didgeridoo. David’s skills as a didgeridoo player have taken him around Australia and also internationally to Beijing, Shanghai, New Zealand and San Francisco. He has performed with James Morrison and Jane Rutter and in concert for John Travolta. He has also collaborated with a number of ensembles and orchestras, performing Philip Bracanin’s Dance Gundah for didgeridoo and orchestra in 2006. Also an accomplished artist, David has spent much time developing an indigenous style that was traditional though unique and modern. His motivation to develop as a visual artist saw his collection of works increase, resulting in his first collaborative exhibition in 2003. David presented his first solo Australian exhibition in 2004 with his first overseas exhibition to follow in Sweden later that year. David’s works now feature in private collections in Australia, Italy, Spain, England, Sweden and Germany. Through David’s didgeridoo performances and traditional style paintings, he aims to further educate and encourage a wider understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal culture. Busby Marou Bio From humble beginnings, on the banks of the Fitzroy River in Rockhampton, folk inspired pop outfit, Busby Marou is making a serious impact on the Australian stage! Since recording their debut EP (The Blue Road) with Australian singer/song writing icon, Pete Murray and acclaimed producer Anthony Lycenko, at Pete’s home studio in late 2007, Thomas Busby, Jeremy Marou and their band have come a long way! After recording, co-producing (with Lycenko) and releasing to rave reviews in August 2010, the duo’s debut self titled album attained number #4 on the Australian Independent Music Charts and reached the top 20 in the song writing category on the iTunes charts, where it still remains. Last year Busby Marou won the Deadly Award for ‘Most Promising New Talent in Music’ and a Q Song award for their song “Paint My Cup.” …5 Busby Marou Bio continued.