Sunday, January 24, 2010

National NAIDOC Poster Competition 2010

National NAIDOC Poster Competition

The annual National NAIDOC Poster Competition is now open for entries from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The winning artwork must be based on this year's theme 'Unsung Heroes - Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way' and will be reproduced on the 2010 National NAIDOC poster. Artists can enter the competition online, or by mailing the artwork, with a completed application form, to the National NAIDOC Committee. The National NAIDOC Poster Competition carries a first place prize of $5000. Entries close Wednesday 31 March 2010. Free copies of 2010 National NAIDOC poster can be ordered online from May 2010. NAIDOC posters since the 1970s can be viewed in our poster gallery.

National NAIDOC Award Nominations 2010

National NAIDOC Award Nominations

The 2010 National NAIDOC Awards are now open for nominations. Each year the awards provide the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be recognised for the difference they make in the lives of others. Recognition by our people, for our people, contributes to the pride and strength of our culture and our communities. Be inspired by past winners and nominate a special person in your community for the 2010 NAIDOC Awards. Nominations close Friday 30 April 2010.

NAIDOC 2010

2010 National NAIDOC theme announced

The 2010 National NAIDOC theme is 'Unsung Heroes - Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way'. Many unsung Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made huge contributions to Australian society. 'Unsung heroes' recognises the part played by the quiet achievers in the Indigenous community, both now and in the past. These heroes lead by taking their own paths, and in doing so, helping other Indigenous people set their own direction for the future. The theme asserts Indigenous ownership of 'closing the gap'. The gaps that need to be closed include gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and gaps in knowledge and understanding.

NAIDOC week 2010 - 4 - 11 July

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Meriba Gidhal - Torres Strait Island Treasures of the Margaret Lawrie Collection

Meriba Gidhal: Torres Strait Island Treasures of the Margaret Lawrie Collection

Meriba Gidhal: Torres Strait Island Treasures of the Margaret Lawrie Collection takes you on a visual journey to Queensland’s most northern islands in the Torres Strait.

The selected watercolours, drawings, photographs and books from the diverse Margaret Lawrie Collection illustrate traditional Islander stories and children’s games. Most of the art has been created by Torres Strait Islanders who worked closely with Lawrie when she was in the Torres Strait Islands between 1964 and 1973.

Where: Talbot Family Treasures Wall, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, South Brisbane
When: 24 Oct 2009 - 28 Feb 2010, 10am-5pm
Entry is free

Indigenous Music Competition

Indigenous music competition
The National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre Indigenous Music Competition gives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians the opportunity to showcase their creative talent and express their ideas about cannabis and its harmful impact on their communities.

Indigenous Music Competition entries must be in the form of a song. The song can be in any genre or style, but must creatively explore the harmful impact of cannabis on Indigenous communities.

The competition is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians only.

For more information, including entry forms, visit the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre website.

Indigenous Governance Awards 2010

Indigenous Governance Awards 2010

The Indigenous Governance Awards aim to identify, celebrate and promote effective Indigenous governance. The national awards highlight success in Indigenous Australia—strong leadership, good management, effective partnerships and brave, creative thinking.

Applications for the 2010 Indigenous Governance Awards are now open. There are two award categories: organisations established since January 1998 and organisations established before January 1998.

Indigenous organisations across Australia are encouraged to showcase their achievements by entering the awards.

For more information, visit the Reconciliation Australia website.

Invasion Day March

Invasion Day Rally and March (Tues 26 January)

Parliament House, Brisbane CBD

ALL WELCOME Gathering at 9.30am. Speakers at 10.00am.
Enquiries to Sam Watson 0401 227 443.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Chasing the Lollyman

CHASING THE LOLLYMAN
Presented by deBASE Productions


Devised and performed by Mark Sheppard, star of deBASE’s The Clown from Snowy River, Chasing the Lollyman is a brilliant one-man comedy show celebrating urban aboriginal identity.

Mark Sheppard, one of Queensland most dynamic, and funny Indigenous performers, takes audiences on a journey through his life. In this premiere season Sheppard takes audiences on a tour of his culture in such skits as Finding your inner Aboriginality and the Murri Superhero, Muh Man while throwing in a little stand up with his views on footy, neighbours, spirituality and dancing in public.

At the heart of this unique work are one man’s beliefs about contemporary Aboriginal identity. To ensure Chasing the Lollyman leaves a lasting impression for all audiences, Indigenous or otherwise, Sheppard has enlisted a variety of artists to create his world onstage, including dramaturg Nadine McDonald- Dowd, visual artist Bianca Beetson, musician Kimba Fatiaki, director Liz Skitch and the team at deBASE, together with the Kuril Dhagun Centre (State Library of Queensland) and the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts.

Written by Mark Sheppard
Co-devised and directed by Liz Skitch
Set design by Josh McIntosh
Lighting design by Jason Glenwright
Sound design by Ian O’Brien

Thu 28 Jan – Sat 13 Feb at 7.30pm
Previews 26 – 27 Jan
Sue Benner Theatre, Metro Arts
109 Edward Street

TICKETS
$20/$15 concession
Previews and Tight Ass Tuesdays $10

Rage against Racism Musgrave Park

Rage against Racism (26 January 2010)

Musgrave Park Cultural Centre are holding a fundraising event at Musgrave Park on the 26th January 2010.

The event will be promoted as Rage against Racism and MPCC are looking for bands, dancers, performers, stage crew, equipment, providers of food, even security guards to be part of a fundraising event that will help to keep the operational side of the cultural centre alive.

Company sponsorship, donations and expressions of interest are welcome. Please contact Natalie on phone 0434545475.

Survival Day...Invasion Day...Australia Day

Survival Day (26 January annually)

January 26 marks the landing of the First Fleet in Sydney Cove. In 1938, on the 150th anniversary of this landing, a 'Day of Mourning' was organised-principally by William Cooper (who had founded the Australian Aboriginal League in Melbourne and drafted a petition of Aboriginal grievance which the Government refused to pass on to King George V) and William Ferguson (leader of the NSW-based Aborigines Progress Association). For the protest Ferguson and J. P. Patten wrote a manifesto entitled Aborigines Claim Citizenship Rights in which they appealed for a new Aboriginal policy, full citizenship status, equality and land rights. The manifesto opened with: 'This festival of 150 years' so-called "progress" in Australia commemorates also 150 years of misery and degradation imposed on the original native inhabitants by white invaders of this country'. The day is often marked by Aboriginal communities with a Survival Day concert.

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