Birra News Number 3, 2 June 2003

Number 3, 2 June 2003

A Note from the Editor

Howdy! It's time for issue 3 of Birra News! Hopefully you are getting used to this fortnightly dose of information about what's happening in the Unit and the various events on and off campus that are of interest to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. I am beginning to get advertising requests from students which is excellent! The Birra News website has already received 1975 'hits' for issue 1 and 1452 for issue 2. This demonstrates that Birra News is establishing itself as an effective means of getting the message out. So use it!! Contribute by contacting us at birranews@uq.edu.au.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to meet a few more of you at the various Sorry Day events on campus. I'm sure you'll all agree that they were a huge success! Congratulations to Rob, Goorie Berrimpa and the Sorry Day Organising Committee! Excellent work!

Quote of Note

"Knowledge leads no more to openings than to closures. The idealized quest for knowledge and power makes it often difficult to admit that enlightenment (as exemplified by the West) often brings about endarkenment. More light, less darkness. More darkness, less light. It is a question of degrees, and these are two degrees of one phenomenon" (Trinh T. Min-Ha, 1999).

Student News

Enrolments
Did you know that the enrolment statistics every year since 2001 show that at least half of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled at UQ are over 25 years of age?

ABSTUDY Payments
Income support for students, in the form of ABSTUDY payments, is generally paid for the duration of the course. Centrelink has recently decided to regard Orientation Week as being an integral part of courses and payments will now be made for this week.

Special Exams
Students who require modified arrangements for end-of-semester examinations on the basis of special needs (disability), non-English speaking background or religious observance, need to advise the Examinations Section (examinations@admin.uq.edu.au) by Friday June 6.

Mid-Year Graduations
If you are planning to graduate mid-year, make sure you have met with an academic advisor to ensure you have fulfilled the course requirements and that you have specified Semester 1, 2003 as your graduating semester on mySI-net. To find out the date and time of your ceremony, go to the UQ events page.

Australian Indigenous Scientists, Engineers and Architects Network Ltd. (AISEAN)
AISEAN is a national network that provides a professional and social support network to Indigenous people studying or working in the following areas: engineering, architecture, surveying, town planning, landscape architecture, environmental science, built environment and science. AISEAN has links with government organisations, non-government organisations, private sector and industry and tertiary institutions. To find out more or to become a member of AISEAN contact the Queensland representative, Kevin O'Brien on 3846 0732 or at kjsobrien@yahoo.com. The Queensland chapter will meet on the first Wednesday of the month. The first meeting is scheduled for 4pm, Wednesday 4 June in the Red Room at UQ.

Changing Programs in Semester 2, 2003
UQ students who wish to change their programs for Semester 2, 2003 can do so without applying through QTAC. You can do this by going to mySI-net and clicking on the option to "Change Program". You will then receive a response through mySI-net within a week or two. Places are available in some, but not all UQ programs mid-year.

Changing Programs for 2004
A meeting will be held for all those UQ students wanting to change their program for 2004 on Thursday 24 July, 11am-12pm, in the Physiology Lecture Theatre Room 360 (Building 63). Advisors representing all faculties will be available to answer questions.

Final Exam Timetable Now Available
The final exam timetable for Semester 1, 2003 is now available on mySI-net.

Computer Courses
Do you want to improve your computer skills? UQ's Information Technology Services have started their May/June computer courses. They offer FREE training to UQ students in a variety of programs including WORD, PowerPoint and even in building your own web page. For further info go to http://www.trainit.uq.edu.au/schedule.html or call ITS on 3365 6000.

Goorie Berrimpa Business by Rob Markham, Indigenous Student Officer

Goorie Berrimpa (gathering place) is the Indigenous Student Association of the University of Queensland. Our main aim is to be a conduit between Indigenous students, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit and the University generally. Over the last two years Goorie Berrimpa has endeavoured to highlight the Indigenous perspective here at UQ. Goorie Berrimpa holds events such as Sorry Day week and the Prayer for Reconciliation (with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit). For further details contact the Goorie Berrimpa office: goorieberrimpa.union@uq.edu.au.

Sorry Day Photo Gallery 25-30 May 2003

Scholarships, Prizes & Cadetships

R.N. Hammon Scholarship
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students who have completed one year of a post-secondary course at one of the following institutions: University of Queensland, Queensland University of Technology, University of Southern Queensland, Central Queensland University, TAFE. Preference is given for study in the fields of science, engineering, medicine, dentistry, architecture, agriculture and veterinary science. Scholarship is paid for remainder of program subject to satisfactory progress. Apply to: UQ Prizes Officer (email: prizes@admin.uq.edu.au). Application forms are available for collection from all UQ Student Centres from February.

CPA Program Scholarship 2003
CPA Australia is the largest professional body in Australia representing the accounting, finance and business profession. Associate membership of CPA is available to people who have completed the necessary subjects in an accredited accounting/business degree offered by an Australian University. CPA offers 10 scholarships to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to assist them in completing the educational requirements for CPA status. Applications close: 30 June 2003. For more information phone Julie Peters on (03) 9606 9811.

Henry Mayer Media Prize
The annual Henry Mayer Media Prize is an award of $1,000 to the most promising Indigenous person of the year working creatively in the field of communications (e.g. print, audio, video, online). It is open to any Indigenous person whose work has been published by a media organisation before 30 June 2003. Closing date: 1 July 2003. For further info email peterbw@bigpond.com.au

Other Scholarships
Other scholarships offered to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Queensland can be found at http://www.uq.edu.au/study/index.html?id=1137

Employment Opportunities

Position: Casual Food and Beverage Attendants and Casual Room Attendants, Accor Indigenous Employment Program, Novotel Brisbane and Mercure Hotel Brisbane
Description: The Accor Indigenous Employment Program (IEP) is an initiative to increase the number of Indigenous people working within Accor. As a part of the program, Accor has entered into a STEP (Structured Training and Employment Project) contract with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR)
Closing Date: 13 June 2003
More Information: Nicola Palavi, Indigenous Employment Coordinator, Accor (07) 3237 2441 or email iep@mercurebrisbane.com.au

Position: Experienced counsellor, Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health
Description: Yulu-Burri-Ba is seeking a full time counsellor who would be responsible for providing appropriate and on-going counselling and support within the Indigenous community of North Stradbroke Island
Closing Date: 20 June 2003
More Information: The Manager on (07) 3409 9596

Position: Full Time Administrative Assistant, Kambu Medical Centre Ipswich Inc.
Closing Date: 9 June 2003
More Information: Kambu Medical Centre (07) 3812 3843

Position: Senior Field Officer, Cairns Regional Office, ATSIC
Description: A sound knowledge of CDEP procedures, and CDEP experience are essential
Closing Date: Friday 13 June, 2003
More Information: Chris Dunlop (07) 4048 8600 or email chris.dunlop@atsic.gov.au

Position: Youth Worker, Mt Theo Program, Northern Territory
Description: A unique opportunity for an enthusiastic person to join our team working with young people in a remote Northern Territory Aboriginal community. Lifestyle includes being part of a strong Aboriginal community and assisting a team of young people determined to make brighter futures for themselves and their community. Paid or unpaid youth work experience essential.
More Information: Mt Theo Program (08) 8956 4188 or email mttheo@bigpond.com

Unit News

Jackie Huggins was awarded a Centenary Medal in recognition of her distinguished service to the community through the promotion of reconciliation. The Centenary Medals, announced by Prime Minister John Howard last month, were designed to mark 100 years of nationhood and recognise the extraordinary contributions made by a diverse range of Australians to the development of the country. Congratulations Jackie!

Elizabeth Mackinlay has just been awarded a second doctorate. Liz's thesis is entitled Disturbances and Dislocations: Understanding Teaching and Learning Experiences in Indigenous Australian Women's Music and Dance. Congratulations Dr Dr Liz!

Nathan Woolford has left his position as Student Support Officer in the Unit to spend more time on both his Honours thesis in anthropology at UQ and his Master's degree at Deakin. Farewell Nathan and best of luck!

The Unit has just released its 2002 Annual Report to coincide with the UQ Union/Goorie Berrimpa Sorry Dinner. The report presents a brief summary of Unit performance and activities during 2002 including student enrolment and graduation rates, Unit staff, research grants and publications. A copy of the Annual Report is available for viewing or download on the Unit's web site at http://www.atsis.uq.edu.au/downloads/index.html#annualreport

Gina helping out prospective UQ students at the Indigenous Careers Expo

Gina, Mary, Sam, Polly, Michael and Sue were all at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit stall at the Indigenous Careers Expo on the 22-23 May. The expo was a great success and the stall ran out of materials to hand out on both days.

What's On

Mabo Day Tuesday 3 June
Mabo Day commemorates the anniversary of the High Court decision in 1992 which recognised the existence of Native Title rights in Australia. Many events will be held around Brisbane to celebrate the day, including a Mabo Day Forum organised by the QUT Student Guild which will be held in Room E215 at the QUT Caseldine campus 11:30am-1:00pm. The forum will explore where and how Australia is progressing in regards to Treaty and Native Title. Everyone is welcome to attend this forum which will include academic staff from the Oodgeroo Unit and experts currently working in Native Title and Treaty issues. A light lunch will be served RSVP to Gabrielle O'Brien on 3864 3653 or email g.obrien@qut.edu.au

NAIDOC Week 6-13 July
The national theme for this year's NAIDOC week is Our Children Our Future. The final date for nominations for the National NAIDOC Awards 2003 and the National NAIDOC Art Award 2003 is Friday 13 June 2003. To find out about the history of NAIDOC week, click here. A number of events for NAIDOC 2003 are being organized by First Contact and are as follows:

SEQ NAIDOC Gala Ball
Saturday, 28 June 2003, Brisbane Convention Centre
Including: SEQ Debutante presentation & SEQ NAIDOC Regional Awards for Indigenous Australians.

Highlights:
Sunday 6 July - NAIDOC Church Service & Gathering
Monday 7 July - Official NAIDOC launch, King George Square
Tuesday 8 July - Logan City NAIDOC Day Celebrations
Wednesday 9 July - Inala NAIDOC Day celebrations
Thursday 10 July - Northside, Ipswich NAIDOC Celebrations
Friday 11 July - Musgrave Park Family Fun Day

The Unit will have an information stall on both the Monday and Friday events.

For further info on these events and to book Gala Ball tickets phone the First Contact NAIDOC Hotline on (07) 3420 4291.

Turrbul Awareness Forum
The Turrbal Association will be running a Turrbul Awareness Forum from 4-6pm on 3 June at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, South Bank, Room 121. For further info contact the Turrbul Association on 3846 7722 or the GUSRC on 3875 3927.

8th National Indigenous Tertiary Education Student Games (NITESG), UNSW, 2003
To all Indigenous Sportspeople at UQ - You have been invited to attend the 8th NITESG to be held in Sydney from 18-20 September. Mixed Netball, Volleyball, Touch Football and Basketball will be contested as well as Traditional Games. There will also be a tour of Sydney and an after-party for participating teams. For further information, email eloise_schnierer@hotmail.com.

Tertiary Studies Expo, Exhibition Building, RNA Showgrounds 19-20 July 2003
Meet with advisers and find out the latest information on tertiary studies from representatives of all Queensland universities, some interstate and overseas universities, TAFE, Defence Forces, private providers, student support services and government agencies.

Cool Web Sites

	"We want Aboriginal people to change the way they see themselves. When you get put down enough, you get used to it and start to believe that being Aboriginal means being on the bottom. We need them to realise that being Aboriginal is great and they can be successful". These are the words of the Cherbourg State Primary School principal, Chris Sarra, appearing in an article on the school in The Australian (19 February 2003). Over the past five years, literacy levels have risen, truancy has decreased by 94% cent and the kids are chanting "strong and smart". Find out more about Cherbourg State Primary School by checking out their website: http://www.cherbourss.qld.edu.au/
	The Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) is an organisation central to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research. Founded in 1964 it aims to promote Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. It is the largest research centre of its kind for information about the cultures and lifestyles - traditional and contemporary - of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The AIATSIS website presents information on their diverse resources: library, publications, Native Title research unit, and other research. Click on: http://www.aiatsis.gov.au/
	The Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy (DATSIP) is the Queensland Government's lead agency for Indigenous affairs. DATSIP aims to improve the cultural, economic, physical and social well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders by creating effective alliances and partnerships with other Government agencies and community groups. Check out their website at: http://www.indigenous.qld.gov.au

New Books

Cover of "Trauma Trails" (image from http://www.spinifexpress.com.au/non-fict/tt.htm)

Trauma Trails: Recreating Song Lines: The Transgenerational Effects of Trauma in Indigenous Australia by Judy Atkinson provides a new framework for our understanding of the problems faced by Indigenous communities by seeing them as the transgenerational effects of trauma - beginning with colonial dispossession.

Cover of "Broken Song" (image from http://bulletin.ninemsn.com.au/bulletin/eddesk.nsf/0/85201974A7C5D8B6CA256C52000957D9?open)

Broken Song: T.G.H. Strehlow and Aboriginal Possession is the biography of T.G.H. Strehlow (1908-1978) written by Barry Hill. The book follows Strehlow's controversial life from his birth at the Lutheran mission settlement at Alice Springs to his role as the first Patrol Officer of Central Australia and "collector" of Aboriginal songs and artefacts. At 818 pages this mammoth account contains an extensive collection of photos, maps and excerpts from Strehlow's diaries.

TV Guide

SBS	Living Black For the last five years, a group of Aboriginal elders representing language groups in the region have been protesting against a proposed nuclear waste dump in Woomera, South Australia, which they say is harmful to the environment and their health. Living Black also talks to Dr Lowitja O'Donoghue NOVA PERIS and THE STIFF GINS.	3 June	3:30pm
ABC	Message Stick Indigenous magazine series. Inside the lives and characters of Indigeneous Australians across the country with stories presented from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders in their own voices.	8 June	1:30pm

Published by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia

ISSN 1448-2568

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© 2003 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, The University of Queensland
ABN 63 942 912 684
Authorised by: Senior Unit Researcher, A&TSIS
Maintained by: s.ulm@uq.edu.au
Last Updated June 14, 2003