The Australian Bite

Indigenous recognition and healthy farming

9 July 2010

Listen and download: MP3

On the Australian Bite this week with Jill Scanlon, we look at what NAIDOC Week means to Australia’s indigenous community. We meet Gerard Neesham, the man who figured out that young indigenous men needed an incentive to stay at school – and footy was it. And we hear how organic flaxseed has become more popular for its use as a health oil rather than for its historic use as a fibre in the production of linen.

NAIDOC Week highlights Australia’s indigenous community.

The first week of July each year is NAIDOC Week with events being held across Australia highlighting the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC celebrates and recognises the contributions of indigenous Australians and their emerging leadership roles. Anne Martin is one of the co-chairs of the Committee and talks about NAIDOC Week.

You can find more information on NAIDOC at the website www.naidoc.org.au

A success story for indigenous youth

The Clontarf Foundation uses sport, specifically Australian Rules football, to encourage young Indigenous people to re-engage with education. Gerard Neesham is the CEO of the Clontarf Foundation and the man who began it when he saw the need among young indigenous men for something that would entice them to stay on at school. The ABC’s Richard Aedy spoke with Gerard Neesham and asked him about the Clontarf Foundation.

Check out the many aspects of the foundation at their website www.clontarf.org.au

The evolution of flax seed

In Australia’s southern state of Victoria, there’s a family that prides itself on growing organic crops – in particular on growing organic flaxseed crops. The Nagorcka family have been growing flaxseed for over 60 years – originally to make linen as is generally the case still across the world – but now this farming family caters to the health food industry. Hamilton grain grower James Nagorcka tells ABC rural reporter Laura Poole that growing organic crops isn’t just for ‘tree huggers.’

Music  (not in podcast)

Jimmy Little is an indigenous success story. One of Australia’s great music artists – he is a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose career has spanned six decades. Jimmy recently received the award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 2010 APRA (Australian Performing Rights Association) Awards.

Artist: Jimmy Little

Track:  Baby, Life’s what you make it.

Album: Life’s What You Make It (2004)

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