Koorie Club News

**WARNING: THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS SENSITIVE INFORMATION AND NAMES OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED**

Nation Wide News:

Western Australia’s Pilbara is on high alert as Tropical Cyclone Zelia, a Category 5 storm, barrels toward the region. With wind gusts reaching 290km/h, authorities warn of devastating impacts, including flash flooding and destruction of homes. Schools, roads, and major ports have shut down as residents prepare for the worst. “It’s the most powerful cyclone you can get,” said meteorologists, urging immediate precautions. As the storm approaches, all eyes remain on its unpredictable path and potential aftermath.

The trial for the accused murderers of 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy Cassius Turvey has revealed shocking details. A witness testified that the group was "a little bit drunk" and armed before the ambush. Cassius was chased down and attacked with a metal pole in October 2022. Four individuals now face trial, with inconsistencies in witness testimonies adding tension to the case. As the court unravels the tragic events, Australia continues to mourn and demand justice.

Tasmanian Aboriginal leader Michael Mansell has criticised the approach to Indigenous disadvantage, arguing that despite billions spent, little progress has been made. With only five out of 19 targets on track, Mansell believes the root causes to be domination, dispossession, and high incarceration rates which are being ignored. He calls for structural change, including land returns and Indigenous-led initiatives, rather than just financial investment. As the government pledges new programs, many wonder if real progress is finally on the horizon.

Survivors of the Stolen Generations gathered in Canberra to mark 17 years since Kevin Rudd’s historic apology. While the apology remains a defining moment, many lament the lack of real action. Reports reveal that only five of 83 recommendations from the 1997 Bringing Them Home inquiry have been fully implemented. Elder Michael 'Widdy' Welsh, taken to Kinchela Boys Home at just eight years old, urged for continued healing and justice: “Help us hold this pain in a place where it can no longer harm.” The call for accountability is growing louder as Indigenous communities are fighting for lasting change.

Sports News:

Alice Springs faces challenges like youth unemployment and social isolation, but hope is rising through Hoops 4 Health. Founded by former NBL player Timmy Duggan, this program uses basketball to build confidence, resilience, and cultural pride in young people.Duggan and former participant Aaron Hyde are mentoring youth, teaching life skills that extend beyond the court, emotional regulation, leadership, and job readiness. With a strong focus on First Nations culture and identity, Hoops 4 Health is proving that sport can be more than a game, it can be a path to a brighter future.

The AFL continues its commitment to Indigenous leadership with the appointment of Denise Bowden to the AFL Commission, replacing Helen Milroy. As CEO of the Yothu Yindi Foundation and director of the Garma Festival, Bowden is passionate about strengthening grassroots football, particularly in regional and remote communities. She follows in the footsteps of Dr. Milroy, a respected advocate for mental health and education, who has helped shape AFL’s Indigenous programs since 2019. Bowden’s leadership will ensure the game continues to grow and inspire the next generation of Indigenous players.

Didge ya know?

On the 8th of February was the anniversary of The Woodward Royal Commission (1973-1974), a pivotal inquiry led by Justice Edward Woodward, shaping the future of Aboriginal land rights in Australia. The commission examined how land rights should be legally recognised for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory, which ultimately led to the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. This landmark legislation granted Aboriginal communities’ legal ownership of their traditional lands and contributed to the creation of Aboriginal Land Rights Commission and the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The anniversary serves as a poignant reminder of the progress made and the ongoing fight for land justice for First Nations people.

The 13th of February marks the anniversary of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s historic apology in 2008 to the Stolen Generations—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly ‘[removed from] their families, their communities and their country’ under ‘the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians’. This formal apology was a crucial step towards reconciliation and ‘[turning] a new page in Australia’s history by righting the wrongs of the past and so moving forward with confidence to the future.’

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Koorie Group Leader.

Rachel Aden (Koorie Group Leader) – ADE0010@sthelena.vic.edu.au

For any other support needed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples please visit: https://headspace.org.au/yarn-safe/