Latest news with #Gumbaynggirr
The Guardian
2 days ago
- General
- The Guardian
‘Breaking down the walls': the long journey towards Indigenous inclusion at University of Melbourne
It took more than 100 years after universities were established in Australia for an Indigenous student to graduate. Margaret Williams-Weir, a Gumbaynggirr and Malera Bundjalung woman, completed a diploma in physical education at the University of Melbourne in 1959. Since Williams-Weir, more than 1,400 Indigenous students have graduated from the sandstone university, and a record 536 were enrolled in 2023. But that is still only 1.27% of students, compared with 3.8% of the general population who are Indigenous. The university has also failed to reach its targets for Indigenous staff. Amid efforts to improve Indigenous representation, the university has released the second volume of Dhoombak Goobgoowana – translated as 'truth-telling' in the Woi Wurrung language of the traditional owners of the land on which the university was built. The first volume, published last year, laid bare the dark side of the university's history, revealing how Nazi apologists, massacre perpetrators, grave robbers, racists and eugenicists had been celebrated as hugely influential heroes of academia. The second volume, Voice, does not shy away from the the university's troubled historical relationship with Indigenous people, but shifts its focus to stories of resilience, resistance and reform, which its editors hope will contribute to reconciliation. The deputy vice-chancellor (Indigenous) , Prof Barry Judd, says Voice is about 'who gets to speak, who gets heard, and what it takes to create space for Indigenous leadership in systems not built for us'. 'This volume documents progress, but also calls us to go further,' he says. 'It is both a record of progress and a foundation for ongoing cultural transformation.' The work was commissioned as part of the university's commitment to truth telling. Both volumes were submitted to the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the first formal truth-telling process into injustices experienced by Indigenous people in Victoria. Prof Marcia Langton, who co-wrote and edited the book, says the works of Indigenous staff and students to turn the university towards respect for Indigenous knowledge 'echo across history and continue to inspire'. When Langton was hired in 2000 to construct an undergraduate program in Australian Indigenous studies, she was the first Aboriginal professor at the university and among only a handful of full-time Indigenous academic staff. She says Dhoombak Goobgoowana would have been 'impossible to write' when her tenure began. 'There were no Indigenous studies programs at all,' she says. 'Today we are the only university in the world that has reckoned with its Indigenous history and its engagement with Indigenous people honestly and truthfully. 'Before we were able to do this, it was a matter of great shame to many Indigenous people that our university had this past and didn't acknowledge it.' Sign up: AU Breaking News email When Williams-Weir began at the university, campus racism was overt. In 1951, the book recounts, first year students were greeted at the university's official welcome by white students in blackface dressed as 'spear-waving 'aborigines''. Six years later, when a fundraising body for Indigenous tertiary education, Abschol, advertised it would sell buttons, a group of students hung an effigy of an Indigenous person from a tree outside Union House. An article published in the student newspaper Farrago in 1959 mocking Abschol's work said attempts to offer charity to Indigenous people produced an 'apathetic, disease-ridden, violent, metho-drinking community who have no other values than the satisfaction of their desires'. Abschol students' own efforts also demonstrated a limited connection to the Indigenous community at the university. Their float for the 1956 Moomba parade featured five white students who had blackened their skin and wore headdresses taken from communities in far north Queensland. This was the environment the university's first Aboriginal liaison officer, Destiny Deacon, entered when she began her role in 1975. She resigned a year later over 'intractable disagreements' about her autonomy and under-resourcing. Deacon went on to complete a bachelor of arts degree in 1979 and became a celebrated artist, broadcaster, academic and political activist, but during her tenure she came up against persistently racist ideas about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Launching the first Black Week of the Students Representative Council in 1974, Deacon lamented: 'Some of us think the dishonest acquisition of our land by the whites happened because we, at the time, had no concept of the white man's irrational notion of his divine right to plunder the lands and property of human beings whom he considers to be 'primitive', 'barbaric' or 'uncivilised',' she told the crowd. 'They conned us into believing that they were superior'. Langton says Deakin did an 'extraordinary job' supporting the students and 'breaking down the walls of exclusion' at the university. '[Her speech] represents the tipping point from the view of Aboriginal people as primitives, which had been the subject of so much pseudoscience at the university,' she says. 'Change really began to accelerate from the advocacy of a few enlightened individuals.' Despite the efforts of students such as Deakin, the university's colonial past remained evidenced in the names of buildings promoting eugenicists, and tucked behind closed doors. In 2002, a collection of more than 800 Indigenous remains was discovered by chance in a locked basement storeroom. The remains had been collected by Richard Berry, a professor of anatomy at the university in the early 1900s and prominent eugenicist. He was one of multiple academics who took remains from Indigenous communities as late as the 1950s. After amendments to the Victorian government's Relics Preservation Act in the 1980s, Gunditjmara elder Uncle Jim Berg arrived at the UoM with the legal injunction to repatriate the stolen items. The book recounts Berg's recollection that the then vice-chancellor, David Caro, met him in his office and shouted: 'Who in the hell do you think you are, taking on the University of Melbourne?' A collection of about 800 Indigenous remains, excavated from gravesites on the Murray River by George Murray Black, was returned. But despite the injunction explicitly including Berry's collection as well as Black's, it would sit in the Medical Building for another two decades, and even now families are waiting for their ancestors to be repatriated. A subsequent audit by the university found about two dozen Aboriginal remains and cultural artefacts, including the skull of a tribal leader stored alongside animal specimens and Aboriginal stone artefacts stored in a service duct. There were some academics who championed Indigenous knowledge, including Dr Leonhard Adam, Baldwin Spencer and Donald Thomson, whose collection consists of more than 10,000 Indigenous objects. This year, the university's Potter Museum unveiled the jestingly-titled exhibition 65,000 Years: A Short History of Australian Art, featuring more than 400 artworks and cultural objects from the university's collection, many of which had rarely been seen by the public, including segments of Thomson's collection. Co-curated by Langton, the exhibition confronts Australia's colonial history and the process of collection from Indigenous lands, as well as the belated acceptance of Aboriginal art into the fine art canon. Langton says academics such as Thomson were 'collecting vast amounts of Aboriginal cultural heritage, but after they retired or passed, those collections sat in storerooms and were rarely seen by the public … Our exhibition puts their collections in their historical context.' This, co-editor Dr James Waghorne says, is what a history of inclusion looks like: 'Imperfect, overdue and then often painfully slow, but marked by stories of courage and hope. 'Dhoombak Goobgoowana traces a series of beginnings,' he says. 'When academic leaders repudiated race science with growing insistence, when pioneering Indigenous students made the most of their chances, and their allies in student clubs and societies championed their cause. 'When the first staff broke through, and when the university established partnerships with Indigenous groups beyond its gates.'
Time Out
24-07-2025
- Time Out
This heritage-listed national park in NSW will take you on a journey back in time
Looking for an immersive escape into Australia's ancient past? You don't have to travel too far. Up the NSW North Coast is Dorrigo National Park, a World Heritage-listed sanctuary that's part of the ancient Gondwana Rainforest. Renowned for its breathtaking waterfalls, walking tracks and elevated 'Skywalk' lookout, the park offers an unforgettable escape into incredible Aussie wilderness. Wander through dense rainforests filled with giant stinging trees (yes, really), vibrant birdlife and hidden rock pools, or join an Aboriginal cultural tour to connect with the rich Gumbaynggirr heritage of the area. What are the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia? The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, which include Dorrigo National Park, are a living link to that prehistoric world. Spanning more than 40 protected areas from Queensland to NSW, these forests are known for their unique biodiversity and evolutionary history. Dorrigo National Park was added to the World Heritage List in 1986 for a number of reasons, including its ancient origins connecting it to the ancient Gondwana Rainforests. Where is Dorrigo National Park? Dorrigo National Park is one hour from Coffs Harbour on the NSW North Coast. How do I get to Dorrigo National Park? To get there from Sydney, travel north along the Pacific Hwy/A1. It should take you just under six hours for this 550-kilometre road trip. Don't want to drive? You can also take the North Coast train that departs four times a day from Central Station and get off at Urunga Station. You will then need a taxi to drive inland for another hour. This journey should take around nine hours. Start your adventure at the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre to get visitor information, book a guided tour, find out which walking tracks will best suit you, or go to the Skywalk Lookout for stunning views out to Coffs Harbour. What can I see at Dorrigo National Park? We've got three words for you: walks, waterfalls, wildlife. And they're all wonderful. Walks: Trails range from short and easy to long and challenging. The Lyrebird Link Track is ideal for birdwatchers and beginners, while the Casuarina Falls Circuit offers sweeping views of Dorrigo Mountain. Waterfalls: The park has many spectacular waterfalls. For instance, Crystal Shower Falls lets you walk behind the cascade. Wildlife: Dorrigo National Park is home to many different animals, including 30 types of mammals, more than 128 kinds of birds and 44 species of amphibians and reptiles. Keep your eyes open for red-necked pademelons or wompoo fruit-doves fluttering through the canopy. If you're lucky (and very quiet), you might spot the elusive southern angle-headed dragon clinging to a tree trunk. When is the best time to visit Dorrigo National Park? Dorrigo National Park is always open but may have to close at times due to bad weather or fire danger, so check before you go. Spring is ideal if you love birdsong – a good time for spotting lyrebirds on the Lyrebird Link Track. Given that the area is a rainforest, summer is a welcome respite from the heat, with the tree canopy and cool mist from the waterfalls. Three must-see, must-do activities at Dorrigo National Park Lyrebird Link Track: Less than a kilometre, it's a great spot for birdwatching, plus, there are picnic and barbecue areas nearby. Casuarina Falls Circuit: This 6.6km loop should take under two hours and rewards you with cascading falls, rainforest valleys and moss-covered trees. Aboriginal Cultural Tours: Held on Wednesdays (book in advance), a Gumbaynggirr Ranger will share their Indigenous language and culture as they guide you through the rainforest. Tips for visiting Dorrigo National Park Download the NSW National Parks app before you leave – it's free and works offline for maps and guides. Get it in the App Store or on Google Play. Bring binoculars if you're into birdwatching – you'll want a closer look at those bowerbirds and fruit-doves. There are picnic tables, barbecues and toilet facilities throughout the park. Mobile reception is limited, but there's Wi-Fi at the Rainforest Centre. Layer up as it can get chilly, take a rain jacket, and wear comfy walking shoes. Details Dorrigo Rainforest Centre 142 Dome Road, Dorrigo Mountain, NSW 2453 Open 9am to 4.30pm daily. Closed Christmas Day. .. Want more road trip inspo? .
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Watch Tasman Keith Go In On Outkast's ‘B.O.B.' For NAIDOC Week ‘Like A Version'
Tasman Keith has made his debut on triple j's flagship segment Like A Version, covering Outkast's 'B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)'. The Gumbaynggirr rapper was joined in the ABC Studios by his longtime musical director Nikos Haropoulos-Smallman, as well as a full live band and four backing vocalists – one of whom was his brother, Sammy Jarrett (AKA Kapital J). Keith, donning coloured contacts and with a black, yellow and red scarf wrapped around his mic stand, blended André 3000's original opening verse with his own lyrics during the cover, while keeping the song's original chorus. The performance also, notably, saw percussionist and fellow Gumbaynggirr man River Langford wearing a t-shirt expressing Indigenous solidarity with the people of Palestine. Earlier this week, former ABC journalist Antoinette Latouf won her unfair dismissal case against the broadcaster, following her contract being terminated last year on account of supporting Palestinian liberation. 'I grew up always loving this song,' said Keith in a post-performance interview. 'It was always on the list for if I ever did Like A Version. For me, with a lot going on right now here and everywhere, it just felt like what I needed and what I wanted to say. Also, to be able to pen a verse after an Andre 3000 verse is a challenge, and so I wanted to take that on.' The cover can be viewed below. Keith's appearance on the segment comes ahead of this year's NAIDOC Week, which commences on July 6th. 2025 sees the week-long celebration of Indigenous people within Australia celebrate its 50th anniversary. This year's theme is 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision And Legacy'. More information on NAIDOC Week for 2025, including events and award finalists, can be found here. Previous performers for Like A Version around NAIDOC Week include Gumbaynggirr Bundjalung singer-songwriter Jem Cassar-Daley, who covered Gwen Stefani's 'The Sweet Escape', as well as the late Archie Roach, who performed a Bob Marley medley in one of his final performances. In addition to performing the cover, Keith also performed his recently released single '70 Somethin'. Released on Wednesday (June 25th), the introspective ballad sees Keith reflect on the lives of his uncle and father, and openly ponders whether he would have met a different fate were he born in the same generation as them. Keith's stripped-back performance of the song can be viewed below. 'B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)' was originally released in September 2000, when Keith was four years old. It served as the lead single to the Atlanta duo's fourth studio album Stankonia, which also featured the group's mainstream breakthrough hit 'Ms. Jackson'. Although the song was not a major commercial success upon its initial release, the ensuing 25 years have seen it develop a reputation as one of the era's most culturally significant songs. Both Rolling Stone and Pitchfork featured the song in their respective lists of the best songs of the 2000s, with the latter ranking it number one. Tasman Keith Releases New Single 'LEFT RIGHT' – 'I Just Feel this Country is Ready to Hear It' triple j Announces 'Hottest 100 Of Australian Songs' For 50th Anniversary Watch The Amity Affliction Take On Turnstile For Their First Ever 'Like A Version' The post Watch Tasman Keith Go In On Outkast's 'B.O.B.' For NAIDOC Week 'Like A Version' appeared first on Music Feeds.
ABC News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Tasman Keith - '70 Somethin'' (live for Like A Version)
Witness Tasman Keith hold important space with his performance of '70 Somethin'' live in the Like A Version studio. Swirling with a rumbling power, Tasman spits about his Uncle's story – who spent his life in prison – and the resilience he showed in the face of his situation. "In the third verse I was like 'ok well if I was born in that generation, how would my life be impacted?'," he said. "Would I end up in a cell? Would I end up unfortunately dying in there? Or being a victim of police brutality?" Sit with this heavy but incredible performance from the Gumbaynggirr man, Bowraville's finest. Posted 42m ago 42 minutes ago Thu 26 Jun 2025 at 10:30pm
ABC News
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Behind Tasman Keith's cover of Outkast 'B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)' for Like A Version
The seminal hip-hop track from Atlanta's slickest duo Outkast was always on the Like A Version dream list for Tasman Keith, he just needed the right moment to unleash it. "For me, just with a lot going on right now here and everywhere, it just felt like what I needed and what I wanted to say in the moment," he said. "And also to be able to pen a verse after an Andre 3000 verse is a challenge, and I wanted to take that on." Not only did he body his verse, creating bars that would make Three Stacks himself proud, Tasman was able to weave in his own history, perspective and truth into an already-powerful song. "Speak on, you know, freedom of my people, freedom of all people," he said. "Really putting us at the forefront. The favourite line of the band was the 'Weetbix and powdered milk' bar, when I brought that to rehearsal it was like 'yeah, that's the one'." Tasman aimed to represent mob from a broad range of areas with his performance, joining together performers from Gadigal, Gamillaraay and his own mob, the Gumbaynggirr people. "For me, I'm from regional Australia," he said. "So I wanted to bring regional mob to city mob and have us share this moment together. Yeah it was special." Posted 42m ago 42 minutes ago Thu 26 Jun 2025 at 10:30pm
