National Close The Gap Day - 2 April 2009

National Close the Gap Day is on Thursday 2 April this year. The day gives people the opportunity to show their support for closing the 17-year life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other Australians.

The campaign has made real progress this past year:
The Prime Minister and several state premiers have signed the Statement of Intent committing them to work with Indigenous Australians to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ health and well being.

The Council of Australian Governments also recently announced an additional $1.6 billion over four years towards closing the gap.

This is a substantial step forward and a result of ordinary Australians making their voices heard through the campaign. But we still have work to do. Governments must urgently work with Indigenous health organisations to develop short, medium and long-term plans to Close the Gap. These plans need to be transparent and have clear targets so we can measure our progress.

Your ongoing support to Close the Gap is vital.

Get involved
Organise your own Close the Gap event
Find a Close the Gap Day event near you
Register your Event
Pledge your support to Close the Gap

Indigenous Education Fund

A multi-million dollar fund will increase the availability of education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders. The new queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation will support up to 100 scholarships a year valued up to $20,000.00 per student.

For more information call 13 13 04 or visit www.atsip.com.au and www.reconciliation.qld.gov.au

Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair

The Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair 2009 will be presenting some of the best modern and traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from Queensland, as well as works by artists from the neighbouring Pacific region.

The arts fair provides an opportunity for collectors to buy the work of established and emerging artists who are producing some of the most exciting contemporary art in Australia.

The event will be held 21-23 August 2009 at the Heritage Sheds in Cairns.
More information
Cairns Indigenous Arts Fair

Volunteers needed for the Q150 Shed

Want to be a volunteer when the Q150 Shed comes to your town?

Get into the celebrations by volunteering in the Q150 Shed. We need help for everything from front of house (ticketing, ushers) to car park attendants to promotion.

We're looking for enthusiastic, reliable volunteers who want to be a part of the Q150 celebrations. Experience is not necessary.

Tour 1 of the Q150 Shed (June and July 2009) will visit:
Caboolture
Cairns
Mackay
Maryborough
Mount Isa
Rockhampton
Townsville

Tour 2 of the Q150 Shed (November and December 2009) will visit:
Augathella
Blackall
Brisbane
Cherbourg
Gold Coast
Warwick

More information
To find out how you can be a volunteer for the Q150 shed when it comes to your town, visit the Q150 website.

SBS Indigenous TV Mentorship Award

SBS is offering a mentorship to emerging Indigenous talent in the Australian film and television industry.

Applicants for the Indigenous mentorship must:
have at least one behind the scenes credit on a completed production shown in film festivals or on community or national Australian television, or be in the first two years of their principal role (for example as director or producer).

Applications are now open and close on Friday 27 March 2009.
More information
SBS Indigenous TV Mentorship Award (External website)

Call for entries - 26th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award

Entries for the 26th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) open on Friday 13 February 2009.
The closing date for entries is Friday 27 March 2009.

About the awards
The NATSIAA has 4 prize categories:
the Telstra General Painting Award
the Telstra Bark Painting Award
the Telstra Work on Paper Award
the Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award (sponsored by Telstra)

The awards are a great opportunity for both established and emerging artists to showcase their work. It is one of the most important events in the Australian Indigenous art calendar.

How to enter
For information on how to enter, including guidelines and entry forms, visit the Museum and Art Galleries of the Northern Territory website (External website).

Youth Week 2009

Youth Week 2009 will be held from 28 March to 5 April 09. Make a Move and get involved in Youth Week by going to an event happening near you or organising your own event. You will be taking part in the largest celebration of young people in Australia - it doesn't get bigger or better than this. Make sure you don't miss out!

Queensland will also be hosting an online competition for 12-25 year olds. The Make a Move online competition gives you the change to share in $6000 worth of prizes.
For ideas or information about how to organise your own event and how to register your event check out our facts sheets: tips for seeking sponsorship, promoting your event, to register your event for the events calendar.

What is Youth Week?
Youth Week is the largest annual celebration for young people in Australia. It is supported by Australian, State, Territory and Local Governments to promote a positive profile of young people in their communities. It is a unique opportunity for young people to highlight their issues and concerns and express their ideas and opinions.

What happens during Youth Week?
Youth Week is a special celebration for all young people aged 12-25 in every part of Queensland. It offers lots of opportunities for young people to: showcase their talents, contributions and achievements, exchange their ideas and views, attend live events,
raise issues of concern to them, act on issues that affect their lives, participate in new activities and learn new skills.

If you're after ideas on how you can participate we have 59 of them!

Youth Week also gives the wider community an opportunity to: hear what young people have to say promote and celebrate the positive contributions young people make to their communities address issues that concern young people.