The Australian Bite
National Reconciliation Week
28 May 2009
Listen and download: MP3
This thought-provoking ad campaign is appearing right now in newspapers, on televisions and on billboards around Australia. It’s all about encouraging discussion and reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians, and we’ll find out more about it on this week’s Bite. We’ll also meet Kath Daley, a member of the stolen generations who was taken away from her family at the age of 10 to work as a servant. And Australian singing legend, and former Seekers member Judith Durham tells us about the alternative words she’s written for Australia’s national anthem.
Memories of a stolen childhood
When Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said sorry to Australia’s “stolen generations” on behalf of the nation last year, the apology was historic and began a new step toward healing for indigenous people who had been removed from their families as children. It was also a step forward for reconciliation, and united Australians throughout the nation. But what did it really mean? Last Tuesday, the 26th May, was National Sorry Day – a day when Australians are asked to reflect upon the history of forcible removals and its effects. Ginger Gorman spoke with Kath Daley, who was taken from her family at the age of ten and sent to work as a servant.
You can read some general information about the stolen generations here: http://www.cultureandrecreation.gov.au/articles/indigenous/sorry/
“Bringing them Home” – the report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families, was presented to the Australian Federal parliament on 26 May 1997. National Sorry Day commemorates this event. You can read the text of the “Bringing them Home” report on line here: http://www.hreoc.gov.au/social_Justice/bth_report/report/index.html
Ad campaign challenges stereotypes
The theme for this year’s reconciliation week is “see the person, not the stereotype”, and there’s been a very thought-provoking advertising campaign happening around the country. The ads feature the faces of two people side by side – one white, and one black, and they ask various questions like, “which of these men is in a gang?” Or “who would you trust to look after your kids?” Even, “which one of these men is aboriginal?” At the bottom of the ads are the words, “We’re hoping you couldn’t answer that.” Craig Greene works as a community development officer, as well as a conference and event manager. He’s one of the indigenous faces appearing on the ads, and I spoke to him about the campaign.
See the ads on the Reconciliation Australia website: http://www.reconciliation.org.au/home/reconciliation-resources/advertising-campaign-portraits
An updated Aussie anthem?
National anthems are meant to inspire, be instantly recognisable, and even bring a tear to the eye. But many in this country find Australia’s national anthem, ‘Advance Australia Fair’ somehow lacking. One such person is former member of the Seekers, and Australian singing legend, Judith Durham. Many of the lines in our national anthem troubled her, so she’s written and recorded some new ones with the help of some friends. Judith Durham speaks with Fran Kelly.
You can read Judith Durham’s alternative lyrics on her website: http://www.judithdurham.com/lyrics/advance_aust_fair_lyric.pdf
Music (not in podcast)
Kutcha Edwards is an indigenous singer and songwriter . . . a Mutti Mutti man born in Balranald, New South Wales in 1965. A member of the stolen generations, Kutcha is one of twelve children, and was taken by the authorities at the age of 18 months, along with five other siblings. This track “Walk in My Shoes” is from his 2002 album Cooinda, an album which reflect his life journey with songs covering a range of issues – from his forceful removal from his family as a child, to songs dedicated to both his mother and late father.
Artist: Kutcha Edwards
Track: Walk in my shoes
Album: Cooinda (2002)
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