Koori Mail

A PALM Island woman has lost her High Court bid to have Queensland’s alcohol management laws ruled unlawful The High Court today ruled that alcohol management plans in 19 Indigenous Queensland communities do not breach Federal racial discrimination laws because the plans constituted ‘special measures’ designed to protect vulnerable communities. Palm Island resident Joan Monica Maloney was behind the High Court appeal against an alcohol related conviction in 2010.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women from around the country have gathered in Canberra for the 4th Oxfam Straight Talk Summit. Participants will be spending the week gaining knowledge on the political system and engaging in workshops to gain practical tools and confidence to implement changes in their Communities. A key focus will be on relationship building between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and Parliamentarians with a visit to Parliament House and meetings with Ministerial Advisors.

A STATE funeral for Mr Yunupingu will be held at Gulkula, near Nhulunbuy in North East Arnhem Land on Sunday, 30 June. Individuals, schools or other organisations wishing to attend or be represented in an official capacity at the funeral should contact the Northern Territory Protocol Office on 08 8999 6238 or email protocol.dcm@nt.gov.au before Wednesday, 26 June. The former lead singer of Yothu Yindi has been remembered as an outstanding Australian, musician and educator.

FORMER West Coast Eagles defender David Wirrpanda is standing for the Senate on a WA Nationals ticket. He made the announcement this morning at Perth’s Kings Park, along with WA Nationals leader Brendon Grylls MLA and NT Senator Nigel Scullion. Mr Wirrpanda played 227 games for the Eagles, retiring in 2009 to start the David Wirrpanda Foundation. “The strength of the foundation are our staff who engage, inspire and empower Aboriginal people to improve their health, education and employment outcomes,” Mr Wirrpanda said.

WESTERN Australian Aboriginal woman June Oscar has been appointed an officer in the Order of Australia for her efforts in tackling alcohol abuse in WA’s Fitzroy valley. Ms Oscar, a Bunuba woman, is the chief executive of the Marninwarntikura Women’s Resource Centre in Fitzroy Crossing and a member of the Fitzroy Valley Futures governing committee. Her work, with Emily Carter, in restricting full-strength alcohol sales, has helped lower the rates of alcohol-related violence and injuries in the region.

MORE than 250 people from across Western Australia’s mid-west region gathered at the QV1 building in Perth last night for the official launch of the Good Heart 2013 art exhibition, which features works from more than 50 Indigenous artists with Mid-West roots. Noongar leader Matt McGuire presented the Welcome to Country, with well-known Mid-West artist and Good Heart exhibitor Dawn Hamlett speaking on behalf of the artists. On the first day, 139 of the 220 works had been sold.

TWELVE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates are taking part in a conference on Sami Country in Alta, Norway, which is planning a World Conference on Indigenous Peoples to be held in New York next year. National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples Co-chair Les Malezer has been elected Co-Chair of the Conference, and other delegates from Australia have also taken up leadership roles. They will help prepare an action plan, to be known as the Alta Declaration, to influence the United Nations.

THE family of Mr Yunupingu, former lead singer of Yothu Yindi and Australian of the Year, have accepted an offer of a State Funeral from the Northern Territory Government. Chief Minister Adam Giles said Mr Yunipingu was an outstanding Australian; a musician of international repute; the first Indigenous Australian from Arnhem Land to gain a university degree; a former Australian of the Year; and the Northern Territory’s first Aboriginal principal. Mr Giles said arrangements would be made in consultation with the family.

A NATIONAL campaign to halve the ‘diabolical’ number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care by 2018 has been launched at a conference in Cairns today. Delegates at the 5^th SNAICC national conference, committed to support the national campaign and take action to achieve its objective by 2018. In mid-2012, Indigenous children accounted for over one third of the 39,621 children in out-of-home care across Australia, a situation SNAICC chairperson Sharron Williams described as ‘diabolical’.

Aboriginal Hostels is 40 years old today. Local and larger anniversary celebrations are planned in coming weeks, including AHL’s national gathering at this year’s annual luncheon in Canberra, on 12 July during NAIDOC Week. Today’s events include high-profile ‘guest AHL trainees’ at offices around Australia. Among those taking part are former footballers, cricketers, and Darwin Lord Mayor Katrina Fong Lim.