Latest news with #JamesCumming
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
After 191 years, Victoria's Indigenous people will walk 400km for truth
Guns, arsenic, disease and hunger became the familiar grim reapers of First Peoples' lives and culture, and the toll rolled through numerous other First Nations clans for decades across Victoria. Loading About 4000 people have registered to take part in various stages of the walk that will traverse sites of ancient cultural significance and of terrible truths that were denied or kept secret for much of western Victoria's modern history. The children and staff of Reservoir East Primary School will be among the walkers for the final stage through the streets of Melbourne. The school's principal, James Cumming, said he believed it was important the school took part because it was so strongly representative of Melbourne's shared communities, both Indigenous and non-Aboriginal. More than that, however, at a time when there was such public focus on Acknowledgement of Country, he said it was important to recognise historical and current truths about that shared history across the state. Lovett, a Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, will unfurl the 'walk for truth' banner at major cultural events held at numerous stops along the route of the trek. He said he found himself 'quite overwhelmed and emotional' when he visited the school at Reservoir East to paint the banner with the children. Lovett was one of only three Aboriginal children who attended his first primary school in Preston, and the other two were his brothers. 'We didn't have the [Aboriginal] flag flown and of course we learnt about our history from all other parts of the world, but it was never about our people and about our culture,' he said. Lovett, initially raised in the high-rise flats in Fitzroy before moving as a child to Preston, was one of 26 children in his blended family. He remembers his father taking him as a child to visit areas around Portland and the old Lake Condah Mission, where many members of the Lovett and other Gunditjmara families are deeply embedded. Lovett was young when his father, his most important mentor, died. 'When I'm standing there [in Portland on Sunday] about to announce the walk I'll have him and my family members who are no longer with us in my heart and in my mind,' he said. Loading The walk will be the culmination of several years' work by the Yoorrook Commission in gathering the first-hand stories of Aboriginal people throughout Victoria. But to Lovett, it is the culmination of 191 years of experiences since colonisation began in the state. 'Now the official public record will be told in our people's voice for the first time,' he said. 'We get to write the full story around what happened to our people through the colonisation process. 'History is always told by the oppressor and now in Victoria we have the ability to be able to write an official public record in our voice that documents our lived experience in the state of Victoria – not just the trauma but the resistance and the contributions that our people have made.'
The Age
23-05-2025
- General
- The Age
After 191 years, Victoria's Indigenous people will walk 400km for truth
Guns, arsenic, disease and hunger became the familiar grim reapers of First Peoples' lives and culture, and the toll rolled through numerous other First Nations clans for decades across Victoria. Loading About 4000 people have registered to take part in various stages of the walk that will traverse sites of ancient cultural significance and of terrible truths that were denied or kept secret for much of western Victoria's modern history. The children and staff of Reservoir East Primary School will be among the walkers for the final stage through the streets of Melbourne. The school's principal, James Cumming, said he believed it was important the school took part because it was so strongly representative of Melbourne's shared communities, both Indigenous and non-Aboriginal. More than that, however, at a time when there was such public focus on Acknowledgement of Country, he said it was important to recognise historical and current truths about that shared history across the state. Lovett, a Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man, will unfurl the 'walk for truth' banner at major cultural events held at numerous stops along the route of the trek. He said he found himself 'quite overwhelmed and emotional' when he visited the school at Reservoir East to paint the banner with the children. Lovett was one of only three Aboriginal children who attended his first primary school in Preston, and the other two were his brothers. 'We didn't have the [Aboriginal] flag flown and of course we learnt about our history from all other parts of the world, but it was never about our people and about our culture,' he said. Lovett, initially raised in the high-rise flats in Fitzroy before moving as a child to Preston, was one of 26 children in his blended family. He remembers his father taking him as a child to visit areas around Portland and the old Lake Condah Mission, where many members of the Lovett and other Gunditjmara families are deeply embedded. Lovett was young when his father, his most important mentor, died. 'When I'm standing there [in Portland on Sunday] about to announce the walk I'll have him and my family members who are no longer with us in my heart and in my mind,' he said. Loading The walk will be the culmination of several years' work by the Yoorrook Commission in gathering the first-hand stories of Aboriginal people throughout Victoria. But to Lovett, it is the culmination of 191 years of experiences since colonisation began in the state. 'Now the official public record will be told in our people's voice for the first time,' he said. 'We get to write the full story around what happened to our people through the colonisation process. 'History is always told by the oppressor and now in Victoria we have the ability to be able to write an official public record in our voice that documents our lived experience in the state of Victoria – not just the trauma but the resistance and the contributions that our people have made.'
CBC
29-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
How will a Liberal election victory affect Alberta?
Two former politicians discuss how a Liberal win in Monday's federal election will affect Alberta. Laurie Blakeman, a former Liberal MLA, and James Cumming, a former Conservative MP, share their thoughts with Edmonton AM's Mark Connolly.
Zawya
29-01-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Financial close reached for 13.5MW Lower Maguduza Hydro Power Project in Eswatini
African Clean Energy Developments (ACED) and Energy Infrastructure Management Services (EIMS Africa) have announced the financial close and commencement of construction on the 13.5MW Lower Maguduza Hydro Power Project. This project, sponsored and developed by ACED, with the African Infrastructure Investment Managers (AIIM) managed IDEAS Fund and the Eswatini Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF) as shareholders, marks a significant step towards Eswatini's energy independence and adoption of sustainable energy sources. The collaboration between ACED and EIMS Africa has been instrumental in bringing the project to fruition. ACED will oversee construction management, while EIMS Africa will manage operations and maintenance, ensuring the project's long-term success. All energy generated will be sold to the Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). "We are incredibly proud to reach this milestone," said James Cumming, CEO of ACED. "This project not only strengthens Eswatini's energy security but also creates jobs and supports local development." Standard Bank South Africa played a key role as the lead arranger, with Standard Bank Eswatini, Standard Bank South Africa, and PSPF providing debt financing. The unwavering support of AIIM, Old Mutual Eswatini, and various advisory firms was crucial in achieving financial close. Critical infrastructure Sherrill Byrne, EVP for energy and infrastructure at Standard Bank, emphasised the project's importance in supporting Eswatini's transition to cleaner energy sources. "This deal unlocks critical renewable energy development, reducing reliance on traditional forms of energy and promoting a sustainable future." Masotja Vilakati, CEO of PSPF, highlighted the project's positive impact on job creation, industrialization, and income generation for the Fund. This accomplishment adds to the impressive track record of ACED and EIMS Africa, who have collectively brought approximately 500MW of renewable energy projects to financial close in the past two years. Their combined expertise and dedication solidify their position as leaders in renewable energy development and operation in South Africa and across the continent.
