This year we have consolidated our reputation as a good ally to First Nations people on the Sunshine Coast by strengthening our relationships with local First Nations people in various ways and with various outcomes.
Chairperson’s Report
Strengths:
1. This year we have consolidated our reputation as a good ally to First Nations people on the Sunshine Coast by strengthening our relationships with local First Nations people in various ways and with various outcomes:
We had unprecedented requests from First Nations service groups to come along to the
Aunty Betty Walk to have a stall, engage with the children and celebrate Aunty Betty’s legacy. So many requested a spot, the site was completely packed! Some had to be turned Away.
We were specifically invited to so many NAIDOC events this year to hold our ‘Find your Country’ stall. Everybody loves that stall!
We are a respected member of SC1NG and have had significant discussions with the Co- Chairs and other leaders of that group around several important issues.
Before the State election, we were asked by the (now former) Minister for First Nations Partnerships Leeanne Enoch to embark on facilitating ‘place-based Truth-Telling’ on the Sunshine Coast.
2. I would like to pay tribute to our Management Committee for their extraordinary skills and Commitment:
Heather Albrecht has been a tireless Secretary, who never gets flustered and never complains! She has produced excellent meeting minutes, newsletters, facebook posts and website updates. Her special skill seems to be thinking of everything, following up everything and remembering everything! We’d be in chaos without her!
Naomi McQueen continued as Treasurer and single-handedly organises the Aunty Betty Walk, despite being so very busy with children and home life, full-time shift work, AND standing for election! She puts us to shame with her boundless energy and persistently positive outlook.
Deb Moseley has been a long-term supporter and committee member with a passion for justice and wonderful creative ideas. Deb knows everybody and engages with everybody. She’s a great link for the group to a myriad of First Nations people, groups and ideas. Deb stood for election twice this year!
Carolyn Beaton has been a supporter and friend for many years now, but only on the Committee since last year. She is quietly spoken and remarkably calm. She has great insight, wisdom and skills from a varied career, and she writes brilliantly! Carolyn also works full time and has children.
Christine Mohr joined us last year too. Christine is our Heart. She reminds us why we are here and what we should be passionate about. She reminds us about the hurt and pain we can not turn away from.
Helen Rosenbaum is a champion of the oppressed and disenfranchised. She also works full- time! Helen is a great thinker. She chooses her words wisely and thinks carefully before she speaks – a great asset in a field where one might easily be inclined to hyperbole (or swearing).
And Stephen Mam: we were honoured to have Stephen join our committee last year. His insights and broad knowledge of Indigenous issues in this State have been so helpful to us. He has also been extraordinarily busy, with family and work. But he has been a great advisor to us. Stephen has been instrumental this year in joining together a number of allies in the Brisbane area to form a cohesive group. He has organised the Invasion Day march for the last couple of years on the Sunshine Coast and as an adviser to Leeanne Enoch he facilitated her meeting with SCRGI to initiate our part in the Truth-Telling agenda. We greatly value his advice and support.
I’d also like to acknowledge the ongoing work of Melinda Mifsud who manages our website. Melinda runs Plinkit Web Design & Marketing, is a member of SCRGI and does our web hosting, maintenance and updates for free!! She is a legend!!!
3. Activities:
- Aunty Betty Memorial Walk: we have submitted our application for a memorial garden seat commemorating Aunty Betty, in Dicky Beach Park. We are awaiting Council’s approval. We then need money to purchase and install the seat.
- NAIDOC events
- Truth-telling inquiry attendance; plus Cherbourg Truth-Telling day
- March – Brisbane ; Sunshine Coast
- Interviews for TV; newspaper
- School talks, with more planned for next year
- Attended meetings with Noosa Allies ; Brisbane Allies.
- Talks for Building Bridges/Talking Country group; Toowoomba Allies group
- Attended First Nations Supplier Day, SCC
- Attended Dreaming Collective podcast launch
- Attended RAP launch for Suncare
- Held a vigil for the 1 st anniversary of the Voice Referendum
- We wrote to all candidates for the State election to canvas their Party position on issues pertaining to First Nations communities. We also wrote to Linda Burney to thank her for her work and express our regret at her retirement. Then we wrote to Malarndirri McCarthy to congratulate her on her promotion to Minister.
Weaknesses:
All is not perfect however. We have over 400 members. We value every one of them. But only a few join us at events or offer to assist us with tasks. Many read our newsletter and facebook page – far more than the industry average, so we know you are all there! We need to find more ways to engage with members and invite them to join in the work that enacts our objectives.
Threats:
Money is always a looming issue. We don’t need a lot of money for ongoing expenses and activities, but for big projects we do need funds. We are a Not-for-Profit voluntary community organisation, so totally dependent on donations and grants. We don’t have Charitable status so its harder for us to garner big donations. We are quite successful in applying for grants, but this is an ongoing and time-intensive process. And we need an event and a project that matches possible grant rounds from Council or State Government before we can apply for money.
Opportunities:
We have two great opportunities ahead of us:
1. A First Nations Online Film Club. We have canvassed many groups and individuals about the idea of starting a national on-line film club showcasing films and documentaries about First Nations people, their extraordinary history and the ongoing effects of colonisation in this country. Everyone loves the idea! But we need money to get it started.
2. The idea presented to us by the former government of facilitating Place-Based Truth-Telling on the Sunshine Coast. We have begun discussions with various people and groups many of who are very encouraging and supportive. We plan to hold a fundraising event to commence the project. Then, we will be seeking to assist local people to tell their truths at public events or in private discussion. These conversations will need to be recorded and held in a safe way and in a safe place.
We would also like to thank Aunty Dale and Carissa for allowing us to meet at My Dilly Bag in their quiet comfortable cafe area. We hope you will join us on this journey with these great ideas!
Thank you for your support and your commitment to this work.
Fiona McGill
Chair
Sunshine Coast Reconciliation Group Inc 2024