Photographs from a corroboree at Koojay, also known as Coogee Beach, to celebrate Reconciliation Week. Featuring performers from the Matraville Soldiers’ Settlement Public School and the Doonooch Dancers. Speakers included Dean Kelly, Marcia Ella-Duncan, Calita Murray and Shane Phillips.
Sorry Day 2017 - The Next Gen
The 26th of May 2017, known as ‘Sorry Day’, is the 20th anniversary of the tabling of the 'Bringing Them Home Report', after the inquiry into the so-called ‘Stolen Generation’, the systematic removal of Aboriginal children from their families. In 2008, former Prime-Minister Kevin Rudd apologised on behalf of the Commonwealth Parliament for these removals. Since that apology advocates claim that governmental removal of Aboriginal children has actually increased – by a staggering 400% - effectively creating the next Stolen Generation.
Yesterday, a group of protesters, including the mother and sister of Dylan Voller, marched from Victoria Park to the number 1 platform at Central Station, where many Aboriginal children were whisked away to white foster families or institutionalised in government run homes, such as Kinchela Boys Home and Cootamundra Girls Home, where they were often abused and traumatised. Meeting the protesters at Platform 1 were men and women of the 'first' Stolen Generation, who spoke powerfully to the crowd about the experiences.
The repeated statement of the night: "Sorry Means You Don't Do It Again!"
Protest Against Racism, UTS
About 150 students and staff convened at the University of Technology Sydney to protest against racism and Islamophobia after a Muslim student was assaulted on campus in a racially motivated attack.
Today’s rally coincided on the same day of a bombing at a concert in Manchester, UK, as speakers demanded resistance against racism and against further attacks against the Muslim community here in Sydney.
24/7 Street Kitchen & Safe Space for the homeless, Martin Place
Portraits of some of the homeless and rough sleepers at the '24/7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space' at Martin Place, Sydney, part of an ongoing photographic project.
After successive Council raids and evictions, the space continues to provide safe sleeping places, food, sanitary products, books, clothing and other services. As winter approaches, more and more homeless men, women and LGBTQIA are flocking to this vital service, run by the homeless themselves and funded by donations from local businesses and community members. The fact that demand is so high is a damning indictment not only of the failure of other social services (and lack thereof) but also of government policy more broadly.
Situated directly opposite the Reserve Bank of Australia, it starkly raises the question, 'What kind of society do we want?'
Donations can be made directly at Martin Place or by going to the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Sydney247StreetKitchenSafeSpace/
Pictured (in order of appearance): T.J., Lanz Priestly, Greg Kinchela, Nigel, Dan Peter, Loretta, Jordan, Gavin
The 'First' Invasion Day
On this day, April the 29th, 1770, then Lieutenant James Cook and around 50 marines landed on the shores of what is now known as Botany Bay, shot at two Gweagle men and stole several items including a shield and spears. It signalled the first day of a British invasion, the legacy of which is still being felt. Today, around forty people gathered at the landing spot where these events first occured 247 years ago. Speakers spoke powerfully about the consequences of that day, claiming this anniversary - not the one marking January 26, 1788 - as the true first day of invasion.
Rodney Kelly, the organizer of the gathering and descendant of one of the Gweagle men shot by Cook's party, pointed out that some of the convicts who were subsequently sent here, were done so for simply stealing a loaf of bread, yet the British colonialists stole an entire continent without consequence. Richard Green sang and spoke with passion and humour, with support from Sharon Lee and Ronald Jemmott. Other speakers included Uncle Ken Canning and Elizabeth Jarrett.
SAGE
Playing with the autumnal light one early morning at Bronte Beach with the wonderfully talented Sage.
*click on the images for full screen view
Black Diggers March
Today, on ANZAC Day, about 200 people gathered at The Block in Redfern to remember the Aboriginal men and women who served in the Australian defence forces, particularly in WW1 and WW2, and who on return to Australia found themselves without citizenship or recognition for their services.
The event also commemorated the victims of the so-called 'Frontier Wars', the series of ongoing wars which resulted from the British invasion of what is now known as Australia.
The contingent marched from the Block to Redfern Park, where a smoking took place and wreaths laid.
*click on images for full screen view
The Seeds of War Bear Bitter Fruit
How to photograph today's ANZAC parade without descending into jingoism or the glorification of war?
* click on images for full screen view
Remembering The Appin Massacre & The Ongoing Frontier Wars
Today, as ANZAC Day approaches, around 300 people commemorated the 201st anniversary of the Appin massacre, on the site where scores of Dharawal men, women and children were massacred over the cliffs, to the south west of what is now known as Sydney.
In 1816, in his own journal, then Governor Lachlan Macquarie wrote that:
"I have this Day ordered three Separate Military Detachments to march into the Interior and remote parts of the Colony, for the purpose of Punishing the Hostile Natives, by clearing the Country of them entirely... In the event of the Natives making the smallest show of resistance – or refusing to surrender when called upon so to do – the officers Commanding the Military Parties have been authorized to fire on them to compel them to surrender; hanging up on Trees the Bodies of such Natives as may be killed on such occasions, in order to strike the greater terror into the Survivors."
Other accounts of the Appin Massacre can be found here, here and here.
It is a cruel irony that the Dharawal language was known as the language of 'peace' because all local clans and tribes spoke it, meaning it was spoken in times of consultation, collaboration and reconciliation.
Aunty Francis Bodkin (pictured standing next to the memorial plaque) has been instrumental in the revival of Dharawal - she translated the entire Macquarie dictionary into Dharawal, despite being banned from speaking it when she was a child.
* Click on image for full screen view.
The Appin Massacre - The Ongoing Frontier Wars
As Australia celebrates ANZAC Day, around 300 people commemorated the 201st anniversary of the Appin massacre, on the site where scores of Dharawal men, women and children were massacred over the cliffs to the south west of what is now known as Sydney.
Here, a 'smoking' ceremony takes place at today's events. More photos to come.
* Click on image for full screen view.
Battle For The Block - Round 2, Supporters
Images of Aunty Jenny Munro and supporters of the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy at tonight's meeting where the AHC presented plans for a massive redevelopment of student housing at The Block.
Battle For The Block - Round 2
Aunty Jenny Munro being interviewed by NITV outside the Redfern Community Centre where new plans by the Aboriginal Housing Company to further redevelop The Block came under sustained fire during a stormy meeting. Media were barred from documenting the meeting by AHC representatives.
Aunty Jenny Munro led a 15-month campaign against redevelopment by setting up the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 2014, which culminated in an agreement for the funding of low cost housing for Aboriginal families. She promises that any further change to this agreement by the AHC will see the continuation of the Battle for the Block - this time, Round 2.
*Click on Image for full screen view
Mardi Gras 2017 - First Nations Float and Koori Gras After Party
Sydney's 2017 Mardi Gras parade saw off the threatening rain and was headed out by the First Nations Float after a smoking ceremony by Uncle Max Dulumunmun Harrison at Hyde Park.
Here are some photos of the parade, with a focus on the First Nations float but also with a few other general shots of the festivities.
The after party at Bar Cleveland was hosted by Nana Miss Koori and featured the Dreamtime Divas (Nova Gina and Lasey Dunaman) and Black Pearl.
*click on the images for full screen view
13th Anniversary of the Death of TJ Hickey
T.J. Hickey, a young Aboriginal boy, would have been 30 today had he not been killed in a police chase through Redfern and Waterloo in Sydney's inner city, 13 years ago.
Today, despite torrential rain, protestors rallied from the site of T.J.'s death in Waterloo to NSW Parliament, demanding the reopening of an investigation into the circumstances leading to the boy's impaling on a fence. They maintain that police were involved in T.J.s death - a murder rather than an accident.
Furthermore, the ninth annual 'Closing The Gap' report was today released in Parliament, indicating the overwhelming and increasing failure of government to alleviate disadvantage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in this country. Indicators such as health, employment, education, housing, well-being and life expectancy are dramatically and structurally skewed against Aboriginal peoples.
The full report can be found at: http://closingthegap.pmc.gov.au/
*click on images for full screen view
"Sorry Means You Don't Do It Again"
Protestors, orgainzed by GMAR (Grandmothers Against Removal), took to the streets today on the 9th anniversary of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology for the Stolen Generation - the systematic governmental removal of Aboriginal children from their families, part of the Australian project of genocide.
Speakers at today's rally pointed out that the removal of Aboriginal children has not only continued, but has seen a rapid increase - up to 400% - since the so-called apology.
The protesters chant: "Sorry means you don't do it again!"
For more info: https://www.facebook.com/GMARsydneybranch/
Fire Jam - Camperdown Park, Sydney
Experiments in light, colour and movement.
24/7 Safe Space for Homeless meets at Old Dave's Soul, Coogee
The rough sleepers and the supporters of the 24/7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space for homeless, based at Martin Place, met up at Old Dave's Soul this Monday night. Old Dave's Soul is a night spot, wine bar, live music venue and restaurant based in Coogee. For the past several weeks, this local small business has been donating their gourmet pizzas every Monday night to the 24/7 Safe Space. You can participate in this project by getting along to Old Dave's Soul every Monday - buy one pizza and have one donated to the cause.
https://www.facebook.com/Olddavessoul/?hc_ref=SEARCH
The 24/7 Street Kitchen and Safe Space is located at the top end of Martin Place and is still calling for food and other donations.
https://www.facebook.com/Sydney247StreetKitchenSafeSpace/?fref=ts
*Click on the images for full screen view.
Miller's Point Residents Still Under Threat
A series of portraits of public housing tenants who are resisting being moved from their homes at Millers Point by government and developers in Sydney.
The images were taken in 2015-16.
*click on the photos for full screen view
Homeless 'safe space' returns to Martin Place after Council eviction
Is it possible to evict the homeless? Apparently so, though perhaps not completely.
After the second successive forcible removal from Martin Place by Sydney City Council, the 24/7 Street Kitchen & Safe Space for homeless and rough sleepers in Sydney moved their camp from outside Parliament House back to their established location in Martin Place.
The 24/7 Street Kitchen & Safe Space provides food and security for homeless people, especially for women and was set up on Christmas eve last year. It services hundreds of rough sleepers every day and relies totally on crowd funding and donations.
For more info, go to:
https://www.facebook.com/Sydney247StreetKitchenSafeSpace/?fref=ts
*click on image for full screen view
