NEWS 11
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 23 MARCH 2023
Australia’s first podcast for Mob with disabilities out now In an Australian first a podcast dedicated to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people living with disabilities was launched last week on Closing the Gap Day. Created by the First Peoples Disability Network (FPDN), Yarning Disability was hosted by Advocate and experienced radio host Bernard Namok, a proud St Paul, Badu, and Erub Torres Strait Islander man with his own lived experiences with disability. Every episode of Yarning Disability, to be released every second Monday from next week, showcases the story and experiences of an
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person living with disability or caring for someone with disability, and features disability industry professionals. FPDN National Training and Engagement Manager Carly Wallace said Yarning Disability was a unique podcast in Australia, and perhaps globally. “Before now there was no specific podcast dedicated to the stories and voices of First Peoples living with a disability in Australia, so we created Yarning Disability,” Ms Wallace said. “FPDN’S work is to ensure the voices of First Peoples living with a
Yarning Disability host Bernard Namok. Pic supplied. disability are heard. “We hope the stories that come from Yarning Disability will be a catalyst for change, not only in our community
but systematically. “We’re proud to create this platform for our Mob with disabilities to tell their own powerful stories.
“Getting to the launch of Yarning Disability has taken six months of work with all the planning and sourcing of stories. “We’ve recorded ten or so stories so far and we have plenty more to come. “I’m especially excited for people to hear Mat Fink’s story. “Mat is a veteran of the Australian defence forces who developed a lot of his disabilities, both physically and mentally, from his time in the Navy. “He was also recently been diagnosed with adult ADHD and Autism, so it’s a really interesting story he has to tell.
“These stories from Yarning Disability are raw and honest and will hopefully educate Mob and the disability sector around the experiences of First Peoples living with a disability, their carers and families, and the broader community as a whole.” The first episode of Yarning Disability was available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Audacity and other podcast streaming services on Thursday 16 March and every second Monday from 27 March. First Peoples Disability Network – www.fpdn.org.au
Truth and Treaty under discussion on Waiben
The first of many public forums have been held this week specifically for regional centres, including Waiben and Palm Island, to seek community ideas and expectations on two major commitments to fulfil Truth and Treaty in Queensland. Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby said he was pleased to be there. “It was great to hear first hand from other members of the public about their views expressed what and how treaty making should be done with clans of First Nations people,” he said.
“I was pleased to raise the topic of Regional Governance at the Public Hearing that there needs to be treaty/agreement between State Government and our region in terms of our long standing aspirations for better are better form of governance model.” The Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB) hosted the meetings to provide background and updates on the establishment of a First Nations Treaty Institute and a Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry – the two fundamental commitments that have been made to progress the Treaty process for Queensland.
ITTB co-chairs Cheryl Buchanan, a proud Guwamu woman from southwest Queensland, and Sallyanne Atkinson AO, said it was important to get the next steps right to set a firm foundation to progress this significant program of work. “We hope Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people come to these sessions to make sure communities are informed and all Queenslanders have a say in how we move forward,” Ms Buchanan said. “Treaty, through truth-telling,
is not about guilt, but more about honesty. “Truth-telling will not be easy for any of us. “We will need to confront the positive and negative stories honestly and openly from both sides – First Nations communities and Government. “That’s how we will get to treaty-negotiations.” The ITTB was tasked with seeking public advice to land on preferred models for the Institute and Inquiry – outlining how they are governed and what the Inquiry should achieve and how it is run.
“The Institute and Inquiry need to be strong from the start and reflect clear expectations of being co-designed but community-led,” Ms Atkinson said. “We know there is an openness to be informed about Truth and Treaty. “Although this is not the only chance communities will have to participate, I hope people can make this small commitment and get involved now.” For more information see www. truthandtreatyqld.org.au
Pics thanks to TSIRC.
2023 Queensland Murri Carnival ‘more than rugby league’ The ABF Queensland Murri Carnival is so much more than just a rugby league tournament. It’s a celebration of culture and connection, where our far northern communities from the Torres Strait Islands, south to the Tweed Coast, right through the heart of central Queensland towards the Northern Territory border, plus the far reaches of western Queensland, the Darling Downs and Granite Belt, all come together for week-long festivities, to be held in Moreton Bay from 22 – 30 September – Brad Beetson, ABF Director. Statewide team registrations for the Queensland Murri Carnival (QMC) are open following a launch last week by the Arthur Beetson Foundation, Deadly Choices and the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health. Coaches and managers were encouraged to ensure all their players were up-to-date with their 715 Health Checks, that all their adults were currently enrolled to vote, and their youngsters maintained a 90 per cent school
attendance rate to qualify. QMC said they planned on delivering a smorgasboard of aspiring talent to their hosts, the newly-established Dophins NRL team. At the launch it was revealed a rejuvenated QMC format would be played out at Redcliffe’s Kayo Stadium on 22–30 September. The ABF said they would be seeking to place even greater emphasis on the development of young Aboriginal & Torres Strait
Islander sporting talent. In planning is a renewed focus on youth, running across an expanded eight-day format (including lay-day on Monday), starting with Open Men’s and Women’s competition, before an extensive underage program for boys and girls up to 18 years vying for Queensland representative honours, plus young children aged 6–12 years competing in the Junior Murri Carnival to close off proceedings.
Attending the official launch and opening of registrations for this year’s Arthur Beetson Foundation (ABF) Queensland Murri Carnival were Dolphins player Edrick Lee, ABF Director Brad Beetson, Deadly Choices Program Officer, Jovyn Johnston & Ambassador Willie Tonga. Pic supplied.
