Sunshine Coast Council
A community forum bringing together the voices of First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) people with a strong focus on fostering relationships, representation and future wellbeing will be a first for the Sunshine Coast and be held at Novotel Twin Waters on Monday 22 March.
Sunshine Coast Council is facilitating the event with a forum and dinner, titled First Nations Self-Determination, Representation and Wellbeing, and guest speakers include Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Traditional Custodians, UQ Adjunct Associate Professor and Kombumerri person Dr Mary Graham and Statement from the Heart Working Group First Nations Chair Suzanne Thompson.
Ms Thompson said the release of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017 was a defining moment in Australia that had a profound effect.
The site is an important gathering space for Kabi Kabi people. Sunshine Coast Council will put in place a fenced area to protect a shell midden mound and associated artefacts at the park. Interpretative signage about Kabi Kabi peoples connections to the site and the shell midden is also planned. The inclusion of a fenced dog off-leash area follows a community consultation process which resulted in 204 surveys completed and a community meeting to hear from a further 40 community members sharing their valuable local knowledge, thoughts and ideas. The dog off-leash area will be installed at the northern end of the park and will include seating, rubbish bin, water tap and shade trees.
Widjabul Wia-bal Elder Uncle Steven Roberts. Photo supplied.
Widjabul Wia-bal traditional custodians are deeply concerned about a rescission motion proposed for Rous County Council’s next meeting on Wednesday 17 February. This motion would overturn the recent decision to cease all work on the Dunoon Dam, rezone the land and begin the disposal of Rocky Creek properties.
‘In December we welcomed the decision to stop the dam which has caused us anxiety for years,’ said spokesperson Cindy Roberts. Senior Elder John Roberts and his niece Cindy Roberts. Photo supplied.
‘After that historic meeting we felt that worry lift, we could breathe easy knowing that the graves of our ancestors and important heritage would not be drowned by the Dunoon Dam,’ she said.
Joey Coco
Well folks, we are back on. After the unfortunate postponement of our initial date due to COVID-19, the show must and will go on. We’re excited to welcome one of Melbourne s most popular artists: Jordan Brando. A prominent figure within the tech house scene, Jordan Brando’s work has earned nods from the likes of Chris Stussy and BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong. Alongside playing peak time slots at Beyond The Valley and Pitch Music & Arts festivals, Jordan has supported international names like Patrick Topping, Jamie Jones and Weiss. He has released a stack of releases on the ‘Club Sweatshirt’ label, and his latest is a release on his record label and event series ‘Art Affection’. Tipped as one to watch in 2021, Jordan Brando is securing his spot in the industry on a global scale. If you love Jordan Brando like we do, join us for an evening of good tunes, and good vibes.
The full statement by Widjabul Wia-bal traditional custodian reads: We, Custodians of Widjabul Wia-bal lands of the Bundjalung Nation, and neighbouring tribes, want you to know that the area to be affected by the proposed Dunoon Dam is significant to us, to our people. We need to protect this land. It is important to our ancestors and for our future generations to be able to connect to our ancestors and traditions. This land holds our relationship with our living heritage and culture. For thousands of generations we have lived on this land and protected it while it protected and fed us. To destroy this land is to destroy the environment which sustains us, the proposed dam would destroy the learning grounds for future generations.