Category Archives: Australian South Sea Islanders

Discussions today regarding the distribution of the five containers which have landed.

tafea

Meeting today – 14th May 2015 – at Shefa Province Headquarters with TAFEA Australian Community Connection – Chiefs & representatives of the TAFEA province

Discussions today regarding the distribution of the five containers which have landed. Tomorrow’s meetings will be with NDMO and Govt. of Vanuatu officials.

A great day and detailed strategy – very impressive – ensuring the marginalised locations receive the specific needs goods intended for them.

George Kauras-Middlebush, Natou George – South, Mackenzie Nalin – Outer Islands, Sam Obed – Epi, Lai Sakita – White Sands, Josephine Fred – West (women groups), Fred Natonga – East, Lutu Sakita (youth groups) – South. 6 regions will be addressed in this strategy. Other regions are to be discussed. These fellas are deadly!!!

TUFF TUMAS Vanuatu Fundraiser

Australian South Sea Islanders – Port Jackson are holding a charity concert in collaboration with Addison Road Community centre to raise funds for those affected by Cyclone Pam. We invite you to join us in support and solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Vanuatu at the TUFF TUMAS Vanuatu Fundraiser.

When: Sunday 26th April 2015
Where: Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Road, Marrickville
Time: Starts 4.00pm

Internationally acclaimed artists and DJs appearing include:

tt-vfr-01 1. Sista Agz
Radio Skid Rows very own Sista Agz born on the Torres Strait Islands brings a saltwater fusion of roots rock reggae. One of Australia’s original Indigenous DJs who is also proud of her Women Tanna Island/Vanuatu heritage.

tt-vfr-01 2. Kamauri
Sydney based Jamaican Dancehall artist, song writer and producer performs ‘Wife Material’ and others.

3. JC Funkdafied
JC grew up in London exposed to the sound of mainstream popular music. It wasn’t until 1982 when a friend introduced JC to ‘Planet Rock’ by Afrika Bambaataa that his love affair with Electro Funk, Hip Hop and vinyl began.

tt-vfr-01 4. Shireen Malamoo
A proud Birra Gubba women of Vanuatu descent one of our first Aboriginal / Kanak Jazz – Soul artists will be performing her favourites with the backing of Johnny Nicol band.

tt-vfr-01 5. Johnny Nicol
World renowned Indigenous Australian Jazzer and accomplished musician Johnny Nicol performs his greatest hits off his recent album. Nicol has featured as a permanent band member for the infamous Maori Troubadours and The Col Nolan Soul Syndicate.

tt-vfr-01 6. Ras Roni
Reggae Master Ras Roni from Barbados via London is one of Australia’s reggae pioneers formerly lead vocalist with Bdos Internationals, The Undivided, Untabu, Mataqali Music, Reggae Movement & Kalabash. He now spearheads for Sydney band The Strides. Ras Roni is renowned for his commitment to First Nations Peoples depicted in his song ‘Corner Stone’.

tt-vfr-01 7.Mataqali
These Sydney based wantoks perform a catchy blend of roots reggae, pacific reggae, funk and acoustic music. Band leader JJ Knight has worked with many including Untabu and as a founding member for award winning band Mataqali. He is backed by internationally acclaimed musicians.

tt-vfr-01 8. Errol Renaud
Errol is from Trinidad & Tobago and is an institution of Caribbean music in the Australian, Asian and Pacific regions. He has toured Oz with Amral’s Trinidad Cavaliers during their world tour with a vast history of international music platforms.

tt-vfr-01 9. Ras Daniel Ray & Roots Odyssey (UK Sound System)
Roots Reggae direct from Jamaica, “Ras Daniel Ray”, Producer, Arranger, Singer, Song Writer, Sound System specialist, and lead man for the legendary Vin Gordon of Studio One fame, and The Real Rock Band, is a power house performer, and is in Australia…
A man of humble beginnings, Ras Daniel Ray is a strong advocate of human rights with an ancestral message through his music of peace and unity, and his Rastafarian roots and culture. Arriving from Paris just yesterday his heart goes out to the people of Vanuatu as the world have been watching the devastation and he was moved to support the call.

more acts to be announced…

Early bird tickets $18 call or text 0416 300 946

Human Rights for Good Governance

The Australian South Sea Islanders community are urged to read about this pinnacle achievement for our Pacific Island communities. Is this something to consider for our National Constitution… ‘Human Rights for Good Governance’ ?

11 January 2015, Suva:

Members of parliament (MPs) from 11 countries across the Pacific region have affirmed their commitment to good governance and human rights with the release of a formal declaration. The MPs echoed the Pacific leaders’ vision in the new Framework for Pacific Regionalism (2014), calling for a Pacific region ‘known for its quality of governance and respect for human rights’ in a statement called the 2015 Denarau Declaration on Human Rights and Good Governance.

The first of its kind for the Pacific, the declaration also states the MPs’ commitment to Pacific culture and traditions, noting that human rights and good governance can be achieved when politicians embrace culture, and engage its evolution and its many values that are linked to principles, treaties and conventions of human rights. The declaration was the main outcome of the Pacific Members of Parliament Consultation on Human Rights for Good Governance, organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) late last month in Nadi, Fiji.

“Human rights and good governance are mutually reinforcing, and this, being the first ever Pacific human rights declaration by Members of Parliament, demonstrates strong political will and commitment by our Pacific leaders,” the Deputy Director of SPC’s Human Rights Programme (RRRT), Mark Atterton, said. “The 2015 Denarau Declaration is a bold and visionary statement that speaks to the dignity and lives of Pacific islanders,” Mr Atterton said.

In the declaration, MPs acknowledged their role and responsibilities to champion and guide the national application of United Nations human rights treaties, and to submit treaty reports in compliance with their state reporting obligations. The MPs noted the progressive steps taken by Pacific governments in the ratification of core human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

In respect of women’s rights, the MPs attending the consultation urged parliamentarians and governments to act boldly to ensure that women’s human rights are realised through laws, policies, and social and community norms and values that reject all forms of discrimination.

The MPs also agreed that climate change and Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are a real and immediate threat to human, cultural and health rights, and are central to the future of Pacific communities. They declared their commitment to working collaboratively across sectors of government and society, and to be effective at the local, national and international levels. The consultation concluded with the MPs requesting SPC RRRT to build upon the success of the regional consultation to organise further MP consultations at the national level to progress human rights, good governance and sustainable development.

Download a copy of the MPs outcomes poster HERE (1.3 MB pdf file)

SPC – Secretariat of the Pacific Community – Regional Rights Resource Team is funded by the Australian Government. You can visit their website HERE.

Our south seas sin

Shireen Malamoo with SMH article entitled “Our south seas sin”

Back in August, 2008 Sydney Morning Herald’s Asia Pacific Editor, Hamish McDonald, wrote an article entitled “Our south seas sin” which talked about a regional approach of connecting Australian South Sea Islanders with their roots through a system where Pacific people can use the “main islands” of Australia and New Zealand to lift their lives, through seasonal labour, education and some settlement.

The complete original article can be read HERE.

Faendem Baek Famili – Solomon Islands participant 2014

Graham Mooney, who was a participant in the workshop, says “I hale from Mackay in far north Queensland, which is home to our largest ASSI / Solomon Island descent community. I have both Aboriginal and South Sea Islander ancestry from my father and mother’s lines.

My father was brought up strictly in Solomon Islander culture and still speaks pijin today. I was given the role as our biological family historian both on my father’s (Percival Mooney (senior) ancestry and lineage into the Solomon Islands and my mother’s (Jessie Darr) ancestry and lineage into my Vanuatu heritage.

This will be my first time to visit the Solomons in my over 60 years. Our great grandfather, Kwailiu, and great grandmother, Orrani, were brought to Queensland as indentured workers to grow sugarcane in Innisfail in far North Queensland.

They came from Fataleka, Malaita, Solomon Islands in 1888. My father’s lineage as a Solomon Islander comes through his mother Cecily Fatnowna, the youngest daughter of Kwailiu and Orrani.”

Mass Deportation

Mass Deportation – Historical facts extracts from powerpoint for – INDENTURED LABOUR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE, Port Louis, Mauritius compiled by Emelda Davis and Professor Clive Moore

Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre launch 2014

LIVERPOOL LORD MAYOR (far right), SAMOA HIGH COMMISSIONER (far left), VANUATU HIGH COMMISSIONER (middle)

Vanuatu High Commissioner Mr Kalfau Kaloris introduces WANTOK NSW at the Casula Power House Arts Centre – Pacific Gods Program acknowledging ancestors and work to date for ASSI recognition the speeches were followed by more brilliance of Pacific Cultural groups and a highlighted performance by Uncle Johnny Nicol and Aunty Shireen Malamoo. A humble thank you to the CPAC and particularly creative producer Leo Tanoi for their commitment to ASSI recognition.

National Governance Working Group

National Governance Working Group
ROCKHAMPTON CONSTITUTION CONSULTATION with the NASSIGWG 17/10/2014. feedback…

RANDALL WARKILL –
Thought I’d take this opportunity to update on the Rockhampton ASSI National Body meeting, held Friday 17th.

The Item for discussion “The Draft Constitution” planned for that day was not approved or passed, it was discussed. I attended the meeting with no expectations other than to halt the Draft Constitution. The NASSIWG have one objective and that is to develop the constitution for a national body.

NASSIWG realise and understand that a National Body and a State Body needs to happen and to operate at full potential one cannot function without the other. NASSIWG also believe as does the guest speaker, Member for Keppel Mr Bruce Young that a National Body should be established first. It is important to note that NASSIWG has the best interests of the Australian South Sea Islanders at hand when it comes to establishing a National Body, although the processes and communication does need reviewing they do have their heart in the right place with compassion, integrity and commitment to deliver a reasonable, open minded constitution with realistic guidelines for ASSI.

Gilbert and Tobin Lawyers are experienced in establishing non for profit organisations, and it is their judgement and expert advice that is assisting in writing of the constitution. I must note it is our (the peoples) wording of that document that is being added and not that of Gilbert and Tobin. I am inclined to change my point of view as I feel a voice at a National level will be critical to our goals at a State level as we advocate for recognition and human rights issues.

I have asked myself what is in best interest for our people and I believe this is right I am committed to both and believe one cannot work without the other in terms of people ownership at the grassroots. I know there has been a lot of miscommunication that has lead to the difference of opinions and interpretations of NASSIWG and the National Body so I ask you all to consider this.

The Government continues to struggle with the difficult task of addressing the marginalisation and disadvantage peoples and maybe it is because at that level we have no representation. If we are to move forward let’s not add to the Governments struggle and band together and overcome our indifferences by attending meetings (if you are able) and support our future. This is only a brief update and my opinions after the Rockhampton meeting , I am sure the NASSIWG will send out the minutes of that meeting shortly.
Thanks

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