Guumali Youth Project

Centacare NENW were invited to sit on the Guumali Youth Project in February this year.

The project was established by NSW Police to create positive spaces and bring the community and local services together, providing activities for young people while building trust and creating connections.

Guumali was originally designed as a way for Police to engage positively with young people, by providing an outdoor cinema for movies under the stars. Identifying a need from young people to connect and understand what is available for them locally across all services.

Since then, the Guumali Youth Project has developed into a collaborative cross-service youth program, which takes a local approach and provides opportunities for creating real and ongoing connections between services, young people, their families and the community.

Over the April school holiday period, Centacare Moree played an essential role delivering popcorn, fairy floss and snow cones to the communities of Boggabilla, Moree and Mungindi as part of the Project’s first series of Cinema Under The Stars events.

Through this initiative, a total of 418 youths and their families were able to engage with the Moree Police, Cancer Council and Centacare NENW.

Tent Embassy: Four Aboriginal representatives travelled to Canberra to protest a government decision regarding land title. They erected a beach umbrella and proclaimed it an ‘Aboriginal Embassy’. In 1995 the Australian Heritage Commission registered the site on the National Estate.

National Apology Day:

PM Kevin Rudd apologised to the Stolen Generations.

International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Also known as Harmony Day - a celebration of cultural diversity.

Bringing Them Home Report:

A 700 page report tabled in parliament concludes that the forcible removal of children was an act of genocide.

Aboriginal Deaths In Custody Report: The findings of the Royal Commission handed down with 330 reccommendations. The commission found that Aboriginal people did not die at a higher rate than nonindigenous people in custody, BUT the rate at which they are taken into custody is very different.

National Sorry Day:

A day to remember the removal of First Nations children from their families.

1967 Referendum:

The most successful referendum in Australia’s history, 97% of voters yes to include First Nations people in the census, and to enable the Commonwealth Government to make laws for First Nations peoples.

Torres Strait Islander Flag: Designed by the late Bernard Namok as a symbol of unity and identity.

Mabo Day:

Celebrates the 1992 High Court decision that rules in favour of Eddie Koiki Mabo, effectively recognising the existence of native title rights and rejecting terra nullius.’

Barunga Statement:

Presented to PM Bob Hawke, this painted document called for the Government to recognise the rights of Aboriginal people.

NAIDOC Week:

Celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal people.

Aboriginal Flag:

Designed by Harold Thomas

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Childrens Day: Authorities recorded the 4th of August as the birthday of many children they removed from their parents. This is now the largest day to celebrate First Nations children.

Gurindji walk-off:

In 1966 200 Aboriginal stockmen walked off wave Hill pastoral station. Led by Vincent Lingiari, they eventually settled at Wattie Creek. While initially about wages and living conditions, it soon included issues around traditional lands. 9 years later, PM Gough Whitlam handed over the title to the land, pouring soil into Vincent’s hands.

Sea of Hands:

The Sea of Hands was created in 1997 as a physical representation of a petition circulated by ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) to mobilise nonAboriginal support for native title and reconciliation.

Pope’s Address:

“Dear Aboriginal people: the hour has come for you to take on new courage and new hope. You are called to remember the past, to be faithful to your worthy traditions, and to adapt your living culture whenever this is required by your own needs and those of your fellowman.”

Land Rights (NT) Act:

The first legislation in Australia that enabled First Nations peoples to claim land rights for Country where traditional ownership could be proven.

Source: https://www.creativespirits. info/aboriginalculture/history/ aboriginal-calendar