Link-Up (Qld) ABORIGINAL CORPORATION ® Still Bringing Them Home Volume 18 January - February 2016 Chairperson - Sam Watson Tragically, Rudd had stated most emphatically that “The observation of the his government would never consider any form of National Apology Day compensation to the Stolen Generations. I have always was the first major argued that those people were victims of a criminal community event that act and therefore they had every right to be fully was held at the newly compensated. Then when the speech was over we all renovated Jagera had to leave the parliament so they could get on with Community Hall in the business of government. Musgrave Park in early February. The day was At that stage there was only one indigenous member a very special day for in the parliament (Ken Wyatt MHR ) and he was a members of the Stolen LNP member. Sam Watson Generations and indeed, There has been a certain degree of progress since it was a moment for the 2008; but we are still fighting for a proper funding entire nation to reflect on the apology that was offered level and proper resources to achieve real and lasting to our people by the incoming Prime Minister - Kevin outcomes for our clients and our community. Rudd. Kevin Rudd has moved on to other things and the I was in Canberra for that day back in 2008 and I was current prime minister has never even mentioned the amazed at the large number of Aboriginal people who word “aboriginal” in any one of his speeches. I hope made their way to the national capital from all points that our old aunty from Western Australia still has of the compass. I had a special pass to get a seat in the strong memories about that day back in 2008 - gallery above the House of Representatives; but as I because that is all there is now. Just a few fading walked across to the access door I saw one old aunty memories and very little else...” standing to one side and looking very distressed. I stopped and asked her if she was alright. Front Cover: She told me that she had come from the top part of Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, Western Australia to witness the ceremony and she NAIDOC Person of the could not get a pass into the gallery. She and a small Year and Dame Quentin group of other elders had pooled their pension money Bryce to hire a mini bus and the trip had taken them almost a week, because most of them were on some sort of medication and they had to take frequent stops. I gave aunty my pass and helped her get to the right door. I then went back to Senator Claire Moore’s office and watched the ceremony on her big TV. It was an amaz- ing moment, the very first time that the federal parlia- ment was opened by a traditional welcome to country and a proper smoking. Rudd got to his feet and deliv- ered the apology and many of the people shed tears as they listened to those words. Link-Up (Qld) ABORIGINAL CORPORATION ® DISCLAIMER: Whilst every effort has been made to respect cultural traditions, Indigenous readers are advised that this publication may contain images of people who are deceased. 2 CEO - Patricia Conlon George Rose, NRL rug- Well we are two months by league player led the into 2016 already and very candle lighting ceremony busy at Link-Up (Qld). with Elders to remember those children who were After a very well deserved taken away and a big thank break over Christmas you to Shane Phillips and staff are well into plan- the Redfern All Blacks ning their work activities Rugby League Team who including reunions and took time out to attend the a healing camp over the Apology Event, acknowl- coming months. edging our Stolen Gener- George Rose and Link-Up (Qld) ations and paying respect Link-Up (Qld) hosted the Director Lynelle Mace Patricia Conlon to our Elders and country. annual Apology Day event at Jagera Community Hall, Musgrave Park with well I would also like to over 200 people including many of our Stolen Genera- acknowledge the support tions and their families in attendance. from the Institute for We would particularly like to acknowledge the sup- Urban Indigenous Health port from the Healing Foundation to Link-Up (Qld) and the Aboriginal and in hosting this event. The Healing Foundation Torres Strait Islander worked closely with our Multi Media Manager Donna Community Health Ives and our team in coordinating the event which Service for their support culminated in a beautiful day at Jagera Community to our clients at the recent Hall honouring the resilience and courage of our Indigenous All Stars game. Stolen Generations and their families. The efforts of Link-Up We appreciate the ongoing support from the Healing Redfern All Blacks Coach (Qld) staff is to be com- Shane Phillips and players Foundation which assists us to support, develop and mended – thank you for strengthen healing programs for our clients. Funding your team effort and for your dedication and hard from the Healing Foundation supports our organisa- work. tion to develop healing projects which assists individ- uals, families and communities to restore wellbeing I also had the privilege with William Conlon – SEWB and build pathways to healing. Counsellor and Wayne Ah-Wong – Caseworker from our Cairns office to attend an Apology Luncheon for Aunty Rosalie Kunoth-Monks was our Key Note Elders at Seisia in Cape York. We appreciated the Speaker at the Apology Event – her wisdom and invitation extended by Kathleen Bobongie from the presence, an inspiration to us all. It was an honour Healing Centre at Injinoo and who works for NPA for us at Link-Up (Qld) to have Aunty Rosalie and her Family and Community Services to attend their grand-daughter Amelia as our guests over a couple of Apology Day event. It was an opportunity to meet days in our beautiful city. with the five communities in the NPA of Seisia, New Other guest speakers Mapoon, Injinoo, Umagico and Bamaga. included Deputy Premier Jacki Trad, Florence Onus, We provided information about Link-Up (Qld) Palm Island Mayor Alf services and were pleased with the interest shown and Lacey and of course our new referrals we obtained. We are looking forward to local Councillor Helen maintaining the close working relationship developed Abrahams, who will be between NPA Family and Community Services and sorely missed as our local the development of an MOU or Partnership Agree- government representa- ment to ensure that our services reach individuals tive – we appreciate and families who have been removed and seeking our Councillor Abrahams on- support to reunite with family or to country. Councillor Helen Abrahams going support to Link-Up (Qld) and the important The hospitality extended to us on our visit was also work we do on behalf of our Stolen Generations. appreciated – big thank you Kathy. 3 Apology Day 2016 - Brisbane Rosalie told the audience that respect of culture and by Al Harris - Healing Foundation an acknowledgement of Australia’s history of brutal treatment of its Indigenous peoples was central to the healing of those stolen away and their families. Rosalie was followed by Deputy Premier of Queens- land and local member, Jackie Trad, who emphasised that the anniversary of the Apology was a “day to remember and reflect, to celebrate and to educate.” More than 200 hundred members of Brisbane’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community came together in the iconic Musgrave Park to commemorate the 8th anniversary of the Apology. Hosted by Link-Up (Qld) and supported by the Healing Foundation the commemoration event was Deputy Premier of Queensland Jackie Trad attended by many members of the local Stolen The audience also heard from Palm Island Mayor Generations and their families. Alfred Lacey, Brisbane City Councillor Helen Abrahams and Florence Onus, chair of the Healing After the Welcome to Country and a heart-warm- Foundation’s Stolen Generations Reference ing dance performance by students from Brisbane’s Committee, who spoke of the importance of Murri School the audience was treated to a key-note collective healing and the release of the Healing speech by 2015 NAIDOC Person of the Year, Rosalie Foundation report, Healing for Our Stolen Kunoth-Monks who spoke of the continued denial of Generations: Sharing Our Stories. respect and rights to the Stolen Generation and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander commu- nity. “The Aboriginal people and culture of this land provide the colour and dynamics to Australia and yet our culture and our people are constantly denigrated,” she said. Healing Foundation’s Stolen Generations Reference Committee Chair Florence Onus A highlight for many people attending was a performance by Murri music legend, Joe Geia, who performed his classic Yil Lull which he dedicated to the Stolen Generations. Other entertainment was provided by Toni Janke and by Stolen Generations members Aunties Bessie Par- sons and Rhonda Collard. The day’s proceedings finished with a candle lighting Rosalie Kunoth-Monks, 2015 NAIDOC Person of the Year ceremony and the cutting of an 8th anniversary cake. 4 CEO of Link-Up (Qld) Pat Conlon, said she was “We commemorate the Apology because it made the proud that her organisation hosted the Apology com- start of healing possible, but we know that we still memoration. “It’s a time when we come together to have a long way to go. There are still people that need honour the lives of the people who were stolen away reuniting and reconnecting to their families, their from their families.