GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University

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GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
GUMURRII
News
Issue 12
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
Acknowledgement of Country
Griffith University acknowledges the people
who are the traditional custodians of the land,
pays respect to the Elders, past and present,
and extends that respect to other Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
Contents
3	Welcome

4   Welcome messages

5	GUMURRII SSU office news

6	Griffith | Aboriginal and Torres Strait
   Islander Units

7	Indigenous Research Unit

8	Recognising all who served their
   Country: Naming the forgotten soldiers

9   Student profiles — Kim Ah Sam

10	Student profiles — Amanda Wrigley |
    Callum Robinson

11	Student profiles — Violet Singh |
    Chantay Link

12	Valedictory dinner 2017

14	Graduating students

15	Queensland College of Art
    — Honour students

16	Walk and Talk provides path
    to reconciliation

17	NAIDOC Week 2018

18	Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games

19	Griffith News | Community

20	Griffith News | Alumni

21	Useful information

                                             1
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
2
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
Welcome
The GUMURRII Student Support Unit is
the heart of Griffith University’s Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander community and is
located on each of Griffith’s five campuses.

2018 marks 30 years for GUMURRII SSU—the
dedicated student support unit for Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students at Griffith University.

New GUMURRII logo
The new logo for GUMURRII Student Support Unit
symbolises the five campuses with the five traditional
owners of the land and depict the career pathways
to learning and development, joined by the red to
symbolise their journey at Griffith University.

                                                          3
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
Welcome messages

 essage from
M                                                          Message from
the Deputy                                                 the Director
Vice Chancellor
(Engagement)

Each year I look forward to our GUMURRII                   For over thirty years the GUMURRII
Valedictory dinner, and last year’s event                  Student Support Unit has been fundamental
was extra special.                                         in supporting increased educational options
                                                           for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
2017 saw a remarkable 140 Aboriginal and Torres Strait
                                                           students attending Griffith University.
Islander students complete their degrees across all four
Academic Groups. This is the highest number of First       Through our programs for outreach, admission,
Peoples graduates we have had in a single year, and        orientation and study support, the GUMURRII Student
with more than 1000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait           Support Units on all five campuses foster a sense
Islander students currently enrolled, we hope to           of community and provides access to learning resources
continue breaking records in 2018 and beyond.              and personal support for our students.
There is still lots of work to do to Close the Gap, of     On behalf of the GUMURRII Student Support staff,
course. At this year’s Senior Leadership Conference,       it is a pleasure to welcome you to Griffith University.
we focused on the targets in our Reconciliation Action     Whether you are a current student or considering
Plan, and how to best achieve them. Professor Roianne      studying, alumni, employer, community partner,
West, Professor Boni Robertson, and Dr Kerry Bodle         I invite you to explore the many opportunities that
and colleagues led discussions on our staffing,            exist through our units or visit our website.
research, and teaching and learning, respectively.
                                                           GUMURRII Student Support Unit works with our
The timing was particularly significant—it was ten         community partners to create educational pathways
years to the day that former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd     that build lifelong learning.
made a National Apology to the Stolen Generations at
Parliament House in Canberra.                              Our primary mission is to provide a cultural learning
                                                           environment that will assist our students and future
At the Senior Leadership Conference, there was spirited    students to follow their aspirations through education.
discussion about how to better recruit, support, and
retain both First Peoples staff, and students, and we
have a clear plan of work to complete in the year ahead.

                                                           Shane Barnes
                                                           Director, GUMURRII Student Support Unit

Professor Martin Betts
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement)

4    GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
GUMURRII SSU office news

GUMURRII Student Support Unit              For information about GUMURRII SSU,
has a new website—new system,              and to make contact with a Learning
                                           Assistance Officer (LAO), you can find all
greater access, clear and precise
                                           of our information and contact details at
information and answers for                griffith.edu.au/gumurrii
your every question.

GUMURRII staff photo

Community partners
Murri Sisters is a non-profit Indigenous   CareerTrackers supports pre-professional      AIME is a mentoring program based at
community organisation that has been       Indigenous university students and links      universities where they build a bridge back
operating in the Brisbane area for the     them with private sector employers to         to local high schools and mentor the most
past 10 years. A leading Agency in the     participate in paid multi-year internships.   disadvantaged kids out of inequality.
provision of quality services for our      Students perform their internship with        They have successfully done this in
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander      a sponsoring company with the aim of          Australia for the last 12 years and are
women and children who are experiencing    converting from intern into full-time         about to share the model to the world.
Domestic and Family Violence and           employee upon completion of their
                                                                                         aimementoring.com
associated factors that are linked to      university degree. In addition to making
homelessness. Murri Sisters works in       long-lasting placements they provide a
collaboration with key stakeholders        wide spectrum of support to help prepare
and affiliated services that respond       students for leadership in the workplace
to domestic and family violence.           and the community.
Contact                                    Contact
07 3208 5844                               07 3012 8926
admin@murrisisters.org.au                  info@careertrackers.org.au
murrisisters.org.au                        careertrackers.org.au

                                                                                            GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12               5
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
Griffith | Aboriginal and
                       Torres Strait Islander Units

Griffithi University
DRAFT-01 FINAL

                       The Indigenous Research Unit (IRU)              Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art (CAIA)
                       supports the development of Aboriginal          You will learn from Indigenous lecturers       contemporary art environment with a folio
                       and Torres Strait Islander academics            and focus on traditional Aboriginal and        of work demonstrating your competence
                       and higher degree researchers and their         Torres Strait Islander art, media, style,      in Indigenous and non-Indigenous
                       projects. Reporting directly to the Office of   principles and philosophies. With a Griffith   knowledge, technical skills, media
                       the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement),        CAIA degree, you’ll enter the professional     and contemporary technologies.
                       the IRU coordinates the Indigenous
                       Research Network (IRN), develops the            griffith.edu.au/study/visual-creative-arts/
                       research capacity of academics and              contemporary-australian-indigenous-art
                       research higher degree students, and
                       administers research projects and grants.
                       griffith.edu.au/
                       indigenous-research-unit

                                                                                                                      Indigenous Community
                                                                                                                      Engagement, Policy
                                                                                                                      and Partnerships
                                                                                                                      ICEPP provides the University advice on
                                                                                                                      Indigenous higher education and works
                                                                                                                      on initiatives that contribute to the
                                                                                                                      spiritual, social, emotional, economic
                       The First Peoples Health Unit (FPHU) is                                                        and educational wellbeing of Aboriginal
                       committed to increasing Aboriginal and                                                         and Torres Strait Islander Australians,
                       Torres Strait Islander student success                                                         and to the wellbeing of Indigenous
                       towards a more highly skilled, highly                                                          people from other parts of the world.
                       educated Aboriginal and Torres Strait
                                                                                                                      griffith.edu.au/first-peoples
                       Islander health workforce.
                       griffith.edu.au/health/
                       first-peoples-health-unit

                       6    GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
Indigenous Research Unit

Since its conception a decade ago, and its formal establishment
in January 2009, the Indigenous Research Unit (IRU) has been
committed to creating an environment that fosters the sharing of
Indigenous Research and Knowledges, organisational engagement
with and between Indigenous and non-Indigenous researchers,
research capacity building, and educational advancement.

Working closely with GUMURRII SSU,             Further information on the seminar and         Knowledges and Research Seminar Series
the IRU supports quality research that         an RSVP link will be forwarded to all          aimed at both enriching your research
is driven by the needs of the Aboriginal       undergraduate students by GUMURRII SSU’s       knowledge base, and providing you with
and Torres Strait Islander community,          Learning Assistance Officers in early July.    an opportunity to meet academic staff
and assists researchers to develop and                                                        and other HDR students interested in
                                               During 2018, the IRU will be working
undertake projects in collaboration with                                                      Indigenous Research. The Seminars
                                               in collaboration with John Graham
communities, research colleagues and                                                          are hosted across the campuses with
                                               (GUMURRII SSU’s Senior Learning
national and international organisations.                                                     morning tea or lunch supplied to attendees.
                                               Assistance Officer) to identify research
The Unit is also committed to establishing                                                    Please contact the Researcher Education
                                               activities and create opportunities for
initiatives to attract Aboriginal and Torres                                                  and Development Unit to receive seminar
                                               the University’s Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander post-doctoral researchers                                                     flyers—red@griffith.edu.au
                                               Strait Islander HDR cohort to gather and
and implement strategies (with GUMURRII
                                               yarn while extending their research skills.    Finally, the IRU also has a Facebook page
SSU’s Senior Learning Assistance Officer)
                                               We hope that you will join us on either        (facebook.com/IndigenousResearch)
to support and develop higher degree by
                                               the Nathan, Southbank or Gold Coast            where we post information about the
research students and, in collaboration
                                               Campuses during the year.                      Seminars, Conferences, IRU member
with the Kungullanji Coordinator, research-
                                                                                              achievements and other information
interested undergraduate students.             Another mechanism that the IRU uses to
                                                                                              aimed at extending your connections
                                               support both academics and students is
Currently held from November to                                                               and knowledge! Or visit our website
                                               knowledge-sharing. Throughout the year,
February each year, the Kungullanji                                                           griffith.edu.au/indigenous-research-unit
                                               the IRU in collaboration with the Office
Undergraduate Research Program
                                               of Research’s Researcher Education and         We wish everyone a successful year of
strives to create a learning environment
                                               Development Unit hosts an Indigenous           study and research!
that builds the research capacity of
undergraduate students. Ultimately the                                                        Indigenous Research Unit
program aims to extend student’s interest
in the practice of research. If you are
an undergraduate student interested
in learning more about research the
Kungullanji Program might be a great
place to start your research journey!
More information on the program will
be available prior to the next intake
round at an IRU Indigenous Knowledges
and Research Seminar on the Gold Coast
campus on Wednesday 1 August from
10 am to 12 noon.
Entitled ‘The Kungullanji Program: Creating
Pathways and Raising Aspirations for
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Researchers’—the Seminar will
overview the program, what it entails
and importantly where it can take you!         Kungullanji Coordinator — Jennifer Campbell and Senior LAO — John Graham

                                                                                                  GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12              7
GUMURRII News Issue 12 - Griffith University
Recognising all who served their
Country: Naming the forgotten soldiers
With support from Griffith University, the Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Dedicated Memorial Queensland Incorporated
(ATSIDMQI) aims to have a memorial erected in Brisbane to
remember specifically the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander serving men and women of the Australian Defence Force
and have their stories etched in a more inclusive history of Australia.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander             Online donation                                 Please insert ‘ATSI Dedicated Memorial
Service men and women have served                 app.secure.griffith.edu.au/donations            Queensland’ in the reference field and
in the Australian armed services, many            Please choose ‘ATSI Dedicated Memorial          email giving@griffith.edu.au to
with distinction as trackers/scouts,              Queensland’ from the drop down menu.            confirm a payment has been made.
light horsemen, pilots, sailors and nurses        All data is encrypted to ensure your privacy.
                                                                                                  Bank: ANZ Bank
since the inception of the Federal Armed
                                                  Phone—You can use your credit                   Account name: Griffith University
Service. War Memorial records indicate
                                                  card to make a donation over the                Branch: Sunnybank, Queensland
that more than 800 Aboriginal and Torres
                                                  phone. Please ring Griffith University,         BSB: 014-269
Strait Islander Service men and women
                                                  Development and Alumni Office on                Account number: 837069034
served in the First World War alone.
                                                  07 5552 7218 during business hours.
To support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait                                                       All gifts of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Islander Dedicated Memorial Queensland            Direct deposit—A direct deposit can             For more information you can visit their
Project, gifts or donations can be made by:       be made into the Griffith University’s          website: atsidmcq.com
                                                  bank account. 100% of the funds are             Lorraine Hatton
                                                  then transferred to the project.                Co-Chair ATSIDMQI

Winning design marquette concept (design to be finalised)

8     GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
Student profiles

Kim Ah Sam
Graduating student —
Valedictory spokesperson
A proud Kuku Yalanji (Cooktown) and
Kalkadoon (Cloncurry/Mt Isa) woman,
born and raised in Brisbane and one of
12 siblings. She grew up in a large family
and being the youngest, was always
looked after. She is a proud mother of
three sons and a grandmother of six.
In her teenage years, she did a lot of
traditional dot and line painting. It
was always a dream of hers to attend
University but life took her on a different
journey. Kim had her children and her
soul commitment was to raise her sons.
When she felt her sons were independent,
Kim decided to follow her heart and take
that step toward her dream.
In 2015, she enrolled in the CAIA program
(Bachelor of Contemporary Australian
Indigenous Art) at the Queensland College
                                              Kim’s greatest achievement whilst studying
of Art, Southbank Campus, as a mature
                                              has been becoming one of 30 finalists in
age student.
                                              the prestigious Churchie Emerging Art
‘I am 47 years old and when I graduate        Award, selected from over 900 art entries
I’ll be 50’.                                  from the whole of Australia.
Kim thought she was going to university       Kim acknowledged the CAIA Teaching
to do dot and line paintings, but the         Staff, who are extremely committed to
reality of what she was to experience         their jobs as educators and who have
soon changed her direction. Being             assisted in the success of all the students
introduced to a whole new world of            in their Studios.
art practices and theory based subjects,
                                              She especially thanked Carmen Perez,
with the theory, research and writing
                                              the Learning Assistance Officer at
were all new to her. Kim had to navigate
                                              South Bank for her support at QCA.
lots of challenges and obstacles
throughout her three years of study.          Kim thanked the GUMURRII Student
                                              Support Unit which provides student
In her first semester, she learnt technical
                                              support through tutorial assistance,
skills in jewellery making. The second
                                              financial support, and avenues for
semester delved into print making.
                                              connection through morning teas and
Print making interested her and she
                                              lunches at the different campuses.
learnt so many technical skills in the
western tradition.                            To her fellow graduates, she stated always
                                              remember this quote by David Frost:
Kim decided to follow the path to become
                                              ‘Don’t aim for success if you want it;
a Print maker and she is very happy that
                                              just do what you love and believe in it
she developed a way to tell her stories
                                              and it will come naturally.’
through different mediums.
                                              GUMURRII SSU

                                                                                            GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12   9
Student profiles
 Griffith student success

                                Callum Robinson                              Callum completed a Certificate III in
                                                                             Media and the PTS course with Batchelor
                                Tertiary Success in Action                   Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education
                                — PTS and Beyond                             before enrolling in the Bachelor of Nursing
                                                                             at Griffith University. 2018 is his last year
                                In 2017 Callum Robinson was recognised
                                                                             of studies and he keeps dreaming big!
                                by Griffith University for the voluntary
                                work he does mentoring students in the
                                School of Nursing and Midwifery Peer
                                Mentoring Program. Callum is a Bachelor
                                of Nursing student and has shown true
                                resilience this year as he faced family
                                tragedy. Callum says ‘some days are really
                                hard but as Dory says ‘just keep swimming
                                just keep swimming’. I surround myself
                                with great company and keep myself busy.’

                                Amanda Wrigley                               • Aunty Pamela Mam Indigenous
                                                                               Nursing Scholarship recipient
                                Tribe: Gamillaroi Nation                     • Griffith Honours College Winter
                                Studying: Bachelor of Nursing                  Research Bursary recipient.
                                ‘Step out of your comfort zone,              Once a shy student, Amanda had quickly
                                life begins there.’ Amanda Wrigley           realised the benefits of asking for support
                                is one of our students who has set           when she needed, and seeking every
                                the bar high for success.                    opportunity at Griffith that would help
                                                                             set herself up for when she graduates.
                                Juggling roles as a single mother of two,
                                                                             Being a recipient of the Graduate Certificate
                                and life as a student has not been easy
                                                                             Paediatric program, she is now confirmed
                                for her seeing Amanda drop out of her
                                                                             to transition from study straight into
                                degree when she was 19 years old to
                                                                             employment. ‘You are accountable
                                focus on being a first-time mother.
                                                                             to yourself. If you believe in yourself,
                                She recommenced her degree 13 years
                                                                             stay focussed and commit yourself as
                                later, and has now come a long way
                                                                             a student, many opportunities come’.
                                since then. This is no easy feat—to defer
                                study and then come back the way she has.    Putting her studies aside, Amanda is your
                                Amanda’s achievements since coming           everyday person. Pearl Jam is a favourite
                                back to university include:                  when it comes to music, ‘Anne of Green
                                                                             Gables’ is her favourite book, and spending
                                • Graduate Certificate in Paediatric
                                                                             time with family and friends keeps her
                                  Nursing Program recipient
                                                                             grounded and strong. Amanda hasn’t been
                                • PASS Leader — Human Anatomy and            alone in her journey and has benefited
                                  Physiology 1 and 2                         strongly from the support of the GUMURRII
                                • Griffith Honours College member            Student Support team, as well as the many
                                • Golden Key International Honours           opportunities Griffith University has to offer.
                                  Society recipient                          griffith.edu.au/scholarships

10   GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
Violet Singh                                of the need to submit her assessments
                                            on time, keeping up with her reading
Violet was born in Townsville, but raised   and attending online lectures. Within her
in Gladstone. Her Mum is Aboriginal/        current role as HR Indigenous Programs
South Sea Islander and her Father is from   Specialist with St Vincent’s Health
Murray (Mer) Island in the Torres Strait.   Australia, she is also constantly travelling
She is the second one in her family to      for work. Violet definitely enjoys
go to University, where she successfully    working with a tight schedule because
completed a Graduate Certificate in         it challenges her time management skills
Forensic Mental Health, in November 2017.   as well as keeps her within her deadlines.
This is the foundation for her next arena
                                            Violet said ‘Studying at Griffith
in doing her Masters in Forensic Mental
                                            University and connecting with
Health. She would eventually want to
                                            GUMURRII SSU was an opportunity to
work in the Criminal Justice System with
                                            gain and acquire knowledge to learn and
our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
                                            skills in study, learning and experiencing
first time and reoffenders.
                                            as well as being taught at a tertiary
Working full time whilst studying part      level; so that we then can be challenged
time and completing her postgraduate        towards our future goals and aspirations’.
studies was always challenging because

Chantay Link                                ‘It can be very difficult operating within
                                            the constraints of this Western learning
Chantay is a Gooreng Gooreng woman and      environment but it’s also creates
comes from the area around Gladstone.       opportunities that may not be afforded
Her mother graduated from the University    if I wasn’t engaged.’ Chantay said.
of Technology in Sydney (UTS) as a mature
                                            Her highlight thus far is definitely the
aged student and she has several siblings
                                            relationships she has made with students
who have attended University.
                                            and staff. As a matured aged student
She is currently studying Psychology as     and being educated alongside with
Chantay is interested in Post-Trauma        other brilliant young people is an honour
Growth. She would like to document          and gives her hope for a future, where
Aboriginal resilience and find a pathway    Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are
between Western healing and our             able to practice culture and work in big
traditional healing processes. Chantay      jobs at the same time.
believes they both can coexist and
                                            Chantay found the GUMURRII Student
benefit from each other.
                                            Support Unit (SSU) and staff at
The biggest challenge she has experienced   Mt Gravatt to be invaluable, kind and
has been the amount of Sorry Business       caring. Her fellow students who use
and cultural obligations. Chantay has       GUMURRII SSU become like family and
found it difficult to maintain grades and   there is always someone there to yarn
stay engaged when so much is happening      with. ‘At times studying can be lonely
outside of university. Some days are        when you’re trying to explain things
overwhelming and she has to remind          to family but at GUMURRII the other
herself why she is doing her course         students can understand the stress of
and to think about the bigger picture.      getting assignments done on time and
                                            also don’t think your unstable when
                                            you get teary over your results.’
                                            GUMURRII SSU

                                               GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12                  11
Valedictory dinner 2017

 Griffith University Elders with Maroochy Barambah

 Director of GUMURRII – Shane Barnes                 Master of Ceremonies – Steven Oliver

 Aboriginal Dancers – Nunukul Yuggera

12    GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
Torres Strait Islander Dancers – Wagga Dance Company

                                                       Ballroom at Royal on the Park, Brisbane

Graduates Cake                                         Student Address – Kim Ah Sam with LAO – Carmen Perez

                                                                                  GUMURRII NEWS – Issue 12    13
John Graham, Professor Martin Betts, Jessie Elvin and Becki Cook

Graduating students
 GUMURRII Student Support                          • Professor Martin Betts the Deputy              GUMURRII’s Learning Assistance Officer,
 Unit 2017 Valedictory Dinner                        Vice Chancellor of Engagement                  Jessie Elvin from the Gold Coast campus,
                                                                                                    graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce with
 was hosted at Royal on the                        • Professor Roianne West, Director of
                                                     the First Peoples Health Unit                  a double major in Finance and Economics.
 Park in Brisbane on Saturday                                                                       She starts her Honours specialising in
 9 December 2017.                                  • Professor Boni Robertson Acting                Economics in Trimester 1, 2018.
                                                     Director, Indigenous Research Unit,
 Our Master of Ceremonies was                        Professor of Indigenous Policy and             Jessie’s proposed thesis topic will focus
 Steven Oliver with the Traditional                  Director of Indigenous Community               on Economics of Aboriginal and Torres
 Owner Song-woman Maroochy Barambah                  Engagement, Policy and Partnerships.           Strait Islander Population in Australia.
 doing the Welcome to Country for all                                                               This will include income, health, education
                                                   Griffith has a national reputation for its       and employment inequalities in different
 the graduating students and staff.
                                                   continued high-quality equity programs           States of Australia. She will also look at the
 Director Shane Barnes acknowledged                and this is reflected in the number of           implications of various policy and program
 a number of key people who play an                graduates this year, notably the largest         responses that have tried to ‘close the gap’.
 important role in the continued success           cohort of graduating students thus far.
 of GUMURRII:                                                                                       GUMURRII SSU

 Graduating students with Traditional Owner Song-woman                    GUMURRII had 138 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
 Maroochy Barambah                                                        graduating in 2017

14    GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
Queensland College of Art
— Honour students
                                                                                  Mandy Quadrio
                                                                                  Mandy completed her Bachelor
                                                                                  of Contemporary Indigenous Arts
                                                                                  (Honours in Fine Arts) in 2017 majoring
                                                                                  in Sculpture. Mandy was the recipient
                                                                                  of the St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital
                                                                                  Award, 2017 and is a foot on the pathway
                                                                                  to a of Doctor of Philosophy.

Andrew Gall                           Venessa Williams Starzynski
Andrew completed his Bachelor         Venessa completed her Bachelor of Contemporary Indigenous Arts (Honours in Fine Arts)
of Contemporary Indigenous Arts       in 2017 majoring in Painting and is commencing studies of a Doctor of Philosophy.
(Honours) in 2017 majoring in
Jewellery and is commencing
studies in a Doctor of Visual Arts.   Carmen Perez — Learning Assistance Officer, South Bank

                                                                                     GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12             15
Walk and Talk provides path
to reconciliation

Record numbers participated in             ‘This important event, now in its             It is also the 10th anniversary of the
Griffith University’s Walk and             seventh year, has developed into a platform   launch of Griffith’s Statement on
                                           where the University community, can           Reconciliation—a public declaration of
Talk event to mark National
                                           enthusiastically celebrate the achievements   the university’s commitment to promoting
Reconciliation Week 2017.                  of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander      an environment valuing the traditions,
                                           peoples. ‘Through walking and talking,        protocols and contribution of Aboriginal
A palpable spirit of togetherness
                                           we continue to foster new understandings,     and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
energised the inter-campus bushwalk to
                                           new relationships that bring Aboriginal
mark National Reconciliation Week 2017.                                                  ‘It gives you a sense of solidarity with
                                           and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the
                                                                                         people from diverse backgrounds where
The first of two Walk and Talk events of   broader Australian community together,’
                                                                                         we can recognise things that have
that week, each hosted by GUMURRII         Professor Betts said.
                                                                                         happened in our past and acknowledge
Student Support Unit, took a record
                                           National Reconciliation Week is an            the progress we’ve made collectively,’
number of participants from Griffith’s
                                           Australia-wide observance held each           Leah Henderson, Kungullanji Program
Mt Gravatt campus to the Nathan
                                           year, giving people the chance to come        coordinator, said.
campus under the soft autumn sunshine.
                                           together and share in steps towards           Stephen O’Grady
Amidst the mix of students, staff and      healing for the Stolen Generations,
a 20-strong group from the Murri           their families and communities.
School was Professor Martin Betts,
                                           Last year’s events have added significance      Walk and Talk 2017
Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement),
                                           nationwide as 2017 marks 25 years since         Mt Gravatt campus — Tuesday 30 May
Griffith University.
                                           the historic Mabo decision and the 50th         Gold Coast campus — Thursday 1 June
                                           anniversary of the 1967 referendum
                                           where Australians voted overwhelmingly
                                           to amend the constitution to include
                                           Aboriginal people in the census and
                                           allow the Commonwealth to create
                                           laws for them.

16   GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
NAIDOC Week 2018

NAIDOC Week 2018 will                              They are our mothers, our elders, our           They often did so while caring for our
celebrate the invaluable                           grandmothers, our aunties, our sisters          families, maintaining our homes and
                                                   and our daughters.                              breaking down cultural and institutionalised
contributions that Aboriginal
                                                                                                   barriers and gender stereotypes.
and Torres Strait Islander                         Sadly, Indigenous women’s role in our
women have made—and                                cultural, social and political survival has     Our women did so because they
                                                   often been invisible, unsung or diminished.     demanded a better life, greater
continue to make—to our
                                                                                                   opportunities and—in many cases
communities, our families, our                     For at least 65,000 years, Aboriginal
                                                                                                   equal rights—for our children,
rich history and to our nation.                    and Torres Strait Islander women have
                                                                                                   our families and our people.
                                                   carried our dreaming stories, song lines,
Under the theme—Because of her,                    languages and knowledge that have kept          They were pioneering women like
we can!—NAIDOC Week 2018 will be                   our culture strong and enriched us as the       Barangaroo, Truganini, Gladys Elphick,
held nationally from Sunday 8 July and             oldest continuing culture on the planet.        Fannie Cochrane-Smith, Evelyn Scott,
continue through to Sunday 15 July.                                                                Pearl Gibbs, Oodgeroo Noonuccal,
                                                   Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
                                                                                                   Celuia Mapo Salee, Thancoupie, Justine
As pillars of our society, Aboriginal              women were there at first contact.
                                                                                                   Saunders, Gladys Nicholls, Flo Kennedy,
and Torres Strait Islander women have              They were there at the Torres Strait Pearlers   Essie Coffey, Isabel Coe, Emily Kame
played—and continue to play—active                 strike in 1936, the Day of Mourning in          Kngwarreye, Eleanor Harding, Mum Shirl,
and significant roles at the community,            1938, the 1939 Cummeragunja Walk-Off,           Ellie Gaffney and Gladys Tybingoompa.
local, state and national levels.                  at the 1946 Pilbara pastoral workers’ strike,
                                                                                                   Today, they are trailblazers like Joyce
As leaders, trailblazers, politicians, activists   the 1965 Freedom Rides, the Wave Hill
                                                                                                   Clague, Yalmay Yunupingu, Evonne
and social change advocates, Aboriginal            walk off in 1966, on the front line of the
                                                                                                   Goolagong Cawley, Nova Peris, Carol
and Torres Strait Islander women fought            Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972 and at the
                                                                                                   Martin, Elizabeth Morgan, Barbara Shaw,
and continue to fight, for justice, equal          drafting of the Uluru Statement.
                                                                                                   Rose Richards, Vonda Malone, Margaret
rights, our rights to country, for law and         They have marched, protested and spoken         Valadian, Lowitja O’Donoghue, June Oscar,
justice, access to education, employment           at demonstrations and national gatherings       Pat O’Shane, Pat Anderson Jill Milroy,
and to maintain and celebrate our culture,         for the proper recognition of our rights        Banduk Marika, Linda Burney and Rosalie
language, music and art.                           and calling for national reform and justice.    Kunoth-Monks—to name but a few.
They continue to influence as doctors,             Our women were heavily involved in the          Their achievements, their voice, their
lawyers, teachers, electricians, chefs,            campaign for the 1967 Referendum and            unwavering passion give us strength and
nurses, architects, rangers, Emergency             also put up their hands to represent their      have empowered past generations and
and Defence personnel, writers, volunteers,        people at the establishment of national         paved the way for generations to come.
chief executive officers, actors, singer           advocacy and representative bodies
songwriters, journalists, entrepreneurs,           from the National Aboriginal Congress           Because of her, we can!
media personalities, board members,                (NAC) to ATSIC to Land Councils
accountants, academics, sporting icons             and onto the National Congress for              naidoc.org.au/2018-national-
and Olympians, the list goes on.                   Australia’s First Peoples.                      naidoc-theme

                                                                                                      GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12                17
Delvene Cockatoo-Collins

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games
(GC2018)
The Commonwealth Games                         Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games           ‘The Medal design represents the soft sand
is one month away, but Griffith                Corporation Chairman Peter Beattie AC said   lines which shift with every tide and wave
                                               the medals were symbolic of every Games      and is symbolic of athletic achievement.
University alumnus Delvene
                                               and the ‘ultimate goal’ of every athlete.
Cockatoo-Collins already feels                                                              ‘The continual change of tide represents
like she has won gold.                         ‘The reveal of these striking gold, silver   the evolution in Athletes who are making
                                               and bronze medals for the Gold Coast         their mark. Although the moment in time
The North Stradbroke artist was selected       2018 Commonwealth Games is a special         may be fleeting, it is forever marked
to design the artwork for the Gold Coast       and significant moment for the athletes      within the shells that are brought upon
2018 Commonwealth Games medals which           as they can now visualise what they are      its tidelines.’
were unveiled in early November 2017.          training and competing for,’ he said.
                                                                                            Delvene graduated from the Bachelor of
Griffith University Games champion             A descendent of the Nunukul, Ngugi and       Leisure Management in 1996, and was
Cameron McEvoy and alumnus Domonic             Goenpul people, Delvene lives and works      already working as a practicing artist
Bedggood were among the athletes at            on Minjerribah, North Stradbroke Island—     while she studied.
the GC2018 Charity Gala who got a              her mother and grandmothers’ birthplace.
                                                                                            ‘I was studying full-time and working as
sneak peek at the medals.                      She said Queensland’s beaches and            a practicing artist—it was a busy time,’
‘It was overwhelming,’ Delvene said.           coastline had inspired her designs.          she said.
‘My mother was with me and she was                                                          ‘I look back on those days fondly—I was
in tears.                                      ‘I hope the athletes and                     lucky enough to be mentored by inspiring
                                               visitors who come here for the               teachers like Ray Hibbens, and supported
‘It’s nice to finally be able to speak about
it and see everyone’s reaction.                Games take away memories                     by the GUMURRII Student Support Unit.’
                                               of our beautiful beaches and                 Louise Crossen
‘It was so special to hear the athletes
                                               the sunlight and come to
say they loved them, because they are
who I had in mind when I did the drawings      understand the history and
and designs.’                                  culture of our First Nation
                                               peoples,’ she said.

18    GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
Griffith News | Community

Griffith helps uncover archaeological       ‘This partnership is going to open up        It was formed as an entity in September
past in Mithaka Country.                    a lot more opportunity for in-depth          2015 in order to finalise the Native Title
                                            investigation and is a part of a long-term   claim over Mithaka Country—an area west
Unravelling the past for the First People   strategy,’ he said.                          of Windorah in South West Queensland.
is key to a new partnership between         Mr Riddiford said the aim was to             Mithaka People’s non-exclusive native
Griffith University and the Mithaka         participate in and develop research as a     title determination over 33,752km2 of
People of South West Queensland.            practice that collaborated with Mithaka      country was recognised after a 13 year
Mithaka People are the Native Title         Traditional Owners to manage traditional     legal process in October 2015. Mediation
owners of 33,800 square kilometres          knowledge so that it benefited Mithaka       with the different interests, primarily
in the Channel Country of southwest         Country, Culture and People.                 pastoral leases, in the determination area
Queensland, as well as the last claimants                                                ceased in September 2015, and a consent
to a further 22,000 square kilometres       ARCHE Director Professor Rainer Grün
                                                                                         determination was reached.
west of Cooper’s Creek.                     said there was a wealth of archaeological
                                            remains and features in Mithaka Country      The Australian Research Centre for
Today (July 24) the Mithaka People          that would help First People gain insights   Human Evolution, which sits within
launched their Research Framework.          into their archaeological past.              based in Griffith’s Environmental
This research framework will support                                                     Futures Research Institute, is the first
Mithaka Traditional Owners and their        ‘I think the partnership is                  academic centre specifically focused
research partners to:
                                            the essence of what we do                    on gaining a deeper understanding of
                                                                                         the scale of ancient human migrations
• establish trust between researchers       at ARCHE and part of our
  and create a neutral platform for                                                      and the full story of the origins of the
                                            mission to help unravel the                  people in our region. An initiative of
  effective research
                                            past for Australia’s First                   Queensland’s Griffith University, ARCHE’s
• implement best practice research          Peoples,’ he said.                           mission is to foster research excellence
  using culturally sensitive guidelines
                                                                                         through multidisciplinary projects that
  and principles                            Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation’s             bring together leading Australian and
• promote innovative research that          Research Framework ensures that all          international scholars and institutions
  traverses and benefits western and        stages of research are transparent and       in the field of human evolution, with
  traditional knowledge                     accountable, and supported by sound          a particular focus on two key regions:
                                            Mithaka governance and continuous            Australia and neighbouring Southeast Asia.
• create opportunities to develop,
                                            communication between Traditional
  promote and engage with                                                                Stephanie Bedo
                                            Owners and their research partners.
  Aboriginal research.
                                            Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC
The collaboration will allow leading
                                            holds in trust the native title rights
scientists from Griffith’s Australian
                                            and interests of Mithaka People of
Research Centre for Human Evolution
                                            South-Western Queensland.
(ARCHE) to further their work with the
Mithaka people in the Channel Country.
By integrating non-Indigenous scientific
approaches with Indigenous approaches
and knowledge, researchers hope to build
a thorough understanding of how Mithaka
Country received her people and how she
carried them through the next 50,000 or
so years. Mithaka Aboriginal Corporation
chief executive Barry Riddiford said the
Mithaka people were really trying to
understand what went on across their
land for many years.

                                                                                            GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12              19
Griffith News | Alumni

Award-winning artist Gordon
Hookey has been recognised as
the 2017 Arts, Education and
Law Alumnus of the Year.

Born in Cloncurry and a descendent of
the Waanyi people, Gordon is one of the
leading Australian artists of his generation
and is known for politically charged work
that explores the intersections between
Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures.
An acclaimed painter and sculptor,
Gordon has exhibited extensively both
internationally and throughout Australia.
Since graduating from a Master of Visual
Arts at the Queensland College of Art in
2012, his works have been acquired for
public and private collections around the
world, including the National Gallery of       AEL PVC Professor Paul Mazerolle, Gordon Hookey, Professor Derrick Cherrie
Australia, Queensland’s Gallery of Modern
Art and the Osaka Museum of Ethnology
                                               ‘This award is important to me, although it
in Japan.
                                               came completely out of the blue,’ he said.          Outstanding School
Gordon has used his work to address                                                                Alumnus Award winners:
                                               ‘My time at the QCA really helped me
a variety of historical and contemporary
                                               refine my thinking and it was wonderful             Petr Tichy
political issues, from the injustices
                                               to be immersed in an environment                    Griffith Film School
suffered by Indigenous Australians,
                                               where everything is about art.’                     Dr Brian Bumbarger
to Australia’s intervention in the
Middle East and immigration.                   His advice for current students is simple.          Griffith School of Criminology
                                                                                                   and Criminal Justice
Gordon continues to exhibit his work
on the international art stage.                ‘Don’t see yourself as a                            Suzie Brady
                                               student, start looking at                           Griffith School of Humanities,
His art has hung in The National New                                                               Languages and Social Sciences
Australian Art 2017, the Museum of
                                               yourself as a practicing artist,’
                                                                                                   Gordon Hookey
Contemporary Art in Sydney and earlier         he said.
                                                                                                   Queensland College of Art
this year he was one of just three
                                               Held at Cloudland Brisbane, the seventh             Dr Brett Mason
Australian artists invited to show their
                                               annual AEL Alumni Awards recognise the              Griffith Law School
work at Documenta, dubbed the ‘Olympics
of the art world’. The blockbuster             achievements and successes of Arts,                 Ryan Walsh
exhibition is held every five years and        Education and Law graduates.                        Queensland Conservatorium
features the best contemporary artists         Louise Crossen                                      Tony Kennedy
from around the world. It attracted more                                                           Griffith School of Education
than a million visitors over 100 days,                                                             and Professional Studies
including collectors, curators and media.
                                                                                                   Outstanding Young
Gordon, who received the award at
                                                                                                   Alumnus of the
a gala ceremony in Brisbane on October
                                                                                                   Year Winner:
13 2017, says he was surprised
and honoured by the accolade.                                                                      Chris Eigeland

20   GUMURRII NEWS — Issue 12
Useful information

Direct Entry                                 Aboriginal and Torres Strait                   General enquiries
The GUMURRII SSU conducts the Direct         Islander Tutorial Assistance                   Phone 07 3735 7676
Entry program designed for Aboriginal        Program (ATSITAP)                              Email gumurrii-admin@griffith.edu.au
and Torres Strait Islanders seeking to       We facilitate the Aboriginal and Torres
undertake tertiary studies at Griffith                                                      griffith.edu.au/gumurrii
                                             Strait Islander Tutorial Assistance
University. Through the Direct Entry         Program, which aims to improve
program, potential students speak            educational outcomes for Aboriginal            Learning Assistance Officers
directly with GUMURRII SSU staff             and Torres Strait Islander students.           Gold Coast campus
regarding the courses offered at
                                             Through the program, eligible students         Phone 07 5552 9631 or
Griffith University.
                                             are matched with tutors to help them           07 5552 8991
The Direct Entry program enables             achieve the best possible outcomes             Nathan campus
applicants to be assessed on any formal      in their courses. If you are an eligible       Phone 07 3735 7678 or
qualifications, life experiences and other   student, or tutor, we encourage you            07 3735 7653
transferable skills that support your        to register.
enrolment application.                                                                      Logan campus
                                             app.secure.griffith.edu.au/                    Phone 07 3382 1101 or
                                             gumurrii
How to apply online                                                                         07 3382 1223
All applicants applying through the                                                         South Bank campus
Direct Entry Program (link below)            Blue Card Application                          Phone 07 3735 3197
need to provide the following                Blue Card Services                             Mt Gravatt campus
documents, prior to or at their interview.
                                             bluecard.qld.gov.au/applications/              Phone 07 3735 5814
• Confirmation of Aboriginality or           applications.html
  signed Statutory Declaration
• CV (Curriculum Vitae)/Resume
• School/TAFE Results and/or
  relevant certificates                         Important dates for 2018
• Year 12 Exit Statement or school
  records statements                            26 January              Survival Day

                                                13 February             Anniversary of the Australian Government Apology
                                                                        to the Stolen Generation

                                                15 March                National Closing the Gap Day

                                                26 May                  National Sorry Day Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum

                                                27 May – 3 June         National Reconciliation Week

                                                3 June                  Mabo Day

                                                1 July                  Coming of the Light Festival

                                                8–15 July               National Aboriginal and Islander Day of Observance
                                                                        Committee (NAIDOC) Week

                                                4 August                National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
                                                                        (NAICD)

                                                9 August                International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

                                                5 September             Indigenous Literacy Day

                                                                                             GUMURRII NEWS – Issue 12                   21
CRICOS No. 00233E J001626
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