Koorie Club News

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

Nation Wide News:

A recent clash at a pastoral station in Pilbara, owned by Gina Rinehart's Roy Hill, reveals deep-rooted tensions between mining interests and Indigenous cultural rights. Wunna Nyiyaparli woman Ailsa Roy, representing her community, challenged police after being told to vacate the land they’ve called sacred for generations.

Roy Hill's station, entangled in a decades-long legal battle, sits on Wunna Nyiyaparli land where mining has disrupted burial grounds and cultural sites. In 2012, the group’s native title claim was denied, and they later found that Australia breached the group’s cultural rights. The UN urged Australia to compensate the Wunna Nyiyaparli and re-evaluate mining concessions on their ancestral lands.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has raised the idea of a new public holiday celebrating Indigenous culture and marking the state's ground-breaking treaty discussions.

In a move that could set a national precedent, the state government and Aboriginal leaders are engaging in conversations that aim to recognise and honour Indigenous history and ongoing contributions.

The push for a public holiday reflects broader efforts to elevate Indigenous voices in policymaking. Supporters see this as a pivotal opportunity to acknowledge Indigenous resilience and foster unity, but the proposal has stirred diverse opinions across Victoria. Stay tuned as these talks progress an Indigenous public holiday might soon become a reality, giving Australians another day to celebrate the country’s rich cultural heritage.

King Charles’ recent visit to Sydney was anything but uneventful, as vocal protests erupted alongside cheering fans. Upon his arrival at the Opera House, a handful of protesters voiced opposition, shouting for the King to “go home” while supporters drowned them out with applause, creating a lively scene on the waterfront.

Amid the mix of voices, Charles waved in acknowledgment, adding a light-hearted twist to the day’s events.

Later, tensions flared at the National Centre for Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, where some Indigenous protesters clashed with royalists over the monarchy’s presence. One local Indigenous woman, Glenda Weldon, called Charles’ visit to the centre “a bloody joke,” while other attendees were thrilled, marking a split in sentiments even among Indigenous communities.

Senator Lidia Thorpe’s passionate outcry during King Charles’ Australian visit has ignited both admiration and condemnation. Interrupting a reception in Canberra, Thorpe shouted, “You are not our king” and “This is not your land,” challenging the monarchy’s role in Australia. While some, like journalist Susie O'Brien, argue Thorpe’s actions were "disgraceful," others applaud her as a fierce advocate for Indigenous sovereignty.

The protest adds fuel to the ongoing debate on the monarchy’s place in modern Australia. As voices grow louder for Indigenous rights and representation, Thorpe’s controversial display has sparked new discussions on the country's cultural and political identity.

In an innovative initiative to improve healthcare access in remote communities, 30 Aboriginal Health Practitioners in the Northern Territory completed intensive trauma and resuscitation training this week. Run by CareFlight and the Batchelor Institute, the two-day program focused on critical adult and infant emergency care, equipping practitioners with essential skills to respond swiftly in crises.

Sports News:

The AFLW Indigenous Rounds always carry a special energy, but for Mattea Breed, the proud Tiwi and Hawthorn midfielder, this season is more profound than ever.

In her second year with the Hawks, Mattea sees these rounds as a time to celebrate her heritage and honour her mother, Rosanna De Santis, a pioneer for women’s football in the Top End.

Rosanna not only helped shape the path for female players in the Northern Territory but has been Mattea's unwavering supporter, inspiring her both on the field and in life. "Having someone so dedicated in your corner is incredibly moving," Mattea shared, expressing gratitude for her mother's strength and tenacity. For Mattea, her mum represents resilience, especially in reconnecting with their Tiwi roots after her grandmother, part of the Stolen Generation, lost cultural ties early on.

Recently, she donned the Hawks’ specially designed Indigenous guernsey, symbolising her journey alongside two other Indigenous teammates. It is a powerful testament to her pride, her family, and her heritage, and a reminder of how her mother’s influence brought her to this incredible place in her life.

After more than a decade, over 200 matches, and three Olympics, Hockeyroos star Brooke Peris is stepping off the international stage. The Darwin-born forward, a proud Ngarrawanji woman and the most-capped Indigenous Australian in hockey, made an indelible mark on her sport and inspired countless young athletes along the way. Her career highlights include a Commonwealth Games gold, double Champions Trophy victories, and co-captaining the team at her final Olympics.

Brooke reflects on her legacy with pride, particularly the launch of the Hockeyroos’ Indigenous uniform, which showed girls from Darwin to distant communities that big dreams are achievable. "Our uniform was more than just a jersey. It represented our history and our future," Brooke shared, noting that the uniform helped her feel a deeper connection to her culture and empowered her to stand proudly on the world stage.

With her retirement, Brooke hopes to make way for the next generation, confident that her journey can inspire others. She looks forward to seeing who will carry on her legacy and wear her number with pride.

Didge ya know?

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape is located in Gunditjmara country in South-Western Victoria. The name comes from the Gunditjmara language and means ‘High Head’. It is a dormant volcano and is home to one of the oldest aquaculture systems in the world.

Aquaculture is the farming and breeding of water creatures such as eels and fish, as well as plants for food and resources. The fish traps supplied enough food to sustain the Gundijtmara people for the whole year while also trading food with other mobs.

Budj Bim is also the home of several stone houses built by the Gunditjmara people, these houses allowed them to live permanently on the land.

The Budj Bim Cultural Landscape was included on the National Heritage List on the 20th of July 2004 and is almost 15 years later Budj Bim was granted a place on the World Heritage List after it was recognised as having ‘outstanding universal value’. It is one of nineteen locations in Australia to make a list.

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

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

Jamie Humphries (Koorie Group Leader) – HUM0004@sthelena.vic.edu.au

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