Koorie News
**WARNING: THIS NEWSLETTER CONTAINS NAMES OF ABORIGINAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED**
Nation Wide News
Anew, Marcia Langton, Aboriginal Australian writer and academic, receives a women’s leadership award. Marcia Langton is a distinguished professor and is more commonly known for her activism in the Indigenous rights arena. She stated that she hopes that female future leaders can take some inspiration from her latest recognition.
On Thursday Professor Langton was announced as Victoria’s joint recipient of the public-voted Excellence in Women’s Leadership which is presented by Women and Leadership Australia. Previously, Nova Peris and Ash Barty were First Nations recipients of a national award, won by businesswomen and multi-selector executive and current Chief Executive Women president Sam Mostyn in 2024. For the next generation Professor Langton stated that addressing the key indicator areas outcomes in closing the gap is a priority. She is due to receive her award in August this year.
Lowitja O’Donoghue, a Yankunytjatjara leader and activist has passed away at the age of 91. The Lowitja Institute announced her death. She was a pioneering leader in Aboriginal advancement and recognition campaigns, and she also was a formidable leader who was never afraid to listen, speak, or act. She passed away peacefully on Sunday the fourth of February in Kaurna Country in Adelaide, South Australia, with her family by her side. She was one of the most respected and influential Aboriginal Leaders this country has ever known. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to O’Donoghue as “one of the most remarkable leaders this country has ever known, and as we mourn her passing we give thanks for the better Australia she helped make possible.” Dr. O’donoghue had an abiding faith in the possibility of a more united and reconciled Australia and she embodied this faith through her unceasing efforts to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
She was also a member of the stolen generations, taken from her family and home at a young age and raised in an institution. She was born on Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjattjara lands in South Australia but didn’t even know her birthdate. She was assigned her birthday by a missionary. At 16 she was a servant and then campaigned for her right to study as a nurse. She was the first Aboriginal person to train as a nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. She also campaigned for the recognition of Aboriginal people in the 1967 referendum and went on to work with Prime Minister Paul Keating as a lead negotiator on the Native Title Act after the 1992 Mabo decision. We owe her an unrepayable debt for the sacrifices she made while she lived, her memory will never be forgotten and her legacy will endure.
Sports News
In the world of sports, honours spread across the states in NICC women’s awards. The National Indigenous Cricket women’s championship in New South Wales dominated the women’s team of the tournament, spearheaded by player of the series Dharmini Chauhan. Speaking after the final, Chauhan said the team had competed with a simple ethos; "We came up with the three F's…fearless when we play our cricket, fun on and off the field and then we're all one, we're all family. We love coming together at this time of year," she said, “it felt amazing [and it] means a hell of a lot for my mob”. Player Grace Abdy stated that cricket is "just a bonus" on top of the community and cultural aspect on her return to her second NICC. Each player is in the box seat for a spot in an Indigenous representative side to attend a multi-day camp and match against the MCC XI team at the MCG in Naarm later this year.
Didge ya know?
There are lots of events throughout the year for you to get involved with; community events are a great way to meet new people and deepen your cultural knowledge! Make sure to look around to see what events are on such as NAIDOC Week, local heritage walks, and see what events are being hosted by local organisations.
Here are some important dates coming up soon to look out for:
21 March – National Close the Gap Day
National Close the Gap Day is an annual event that raises awareness and seeks to close the gap with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, educational and employment outcomes between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and non-Indigenous Australians.
26 May – National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day provides an opportunity for people to come together and share the journey towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities.
27 May – 1967 Referendum
The 1967 Referendum was a landmark achievement following decades of activism by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people, where more than 90 percent of Australians voted in favour of amending two sections of the Australian Constitution.
From: https://www.vacca.org/
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Koorie Club Leaders.
Rachel Aden (Koorie Club Leader) – ADE0010@sthelena.vic.edu.au
Jamie Humphries (Koorie Club 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/