Latest news with #SouthernAboriginalCorporation
West Australian
27-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Stolen Generation symposium hears truth telling is key to community moving forward as Aboriginal allies
A panel of Aboriginal elders gave emotional accounts of their experiences as members of the Stolen Generation at a National Sorry Day symposium at Albany Entertainment Centre on Monday. The event was staged by the Southern Aboriginal Corporation and the Great Southern Aboriginal Health Service and attracted a wide audience of community members, Aboriginal elders and stakeholders. SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said the aim of the event was to acknowledge the courage of the Stolen Generations, their pain and their resilience. 'This event is a safe space, it's about truth telling and healing and the elders sharing their lived experiences. 'For the wider community, it's about listening, learning and standing in solidarity with Aboriginal people. 'Reconciliation starts with truth telling, so we must acknowledge and come together without forgetting about the history. 'The overwhelming presence of those at the event shows reconciliation is not too far away and that we can all walk alongside the Aboriginal people as allies.' Panellists Gary Ryder, and brothers Timothy and Ezzard Flowers had been taken to the Carrolup Settlement, later known as Marribank, near Katanning, as children. They explained that conditions there were harsh but it was the separation from their families at such a young age that meant eventual reunifications were made even more difficult. Ezzard had been taken there when he was just two years old, after his father died. 'It was difficult to reconnect with home, with country, with family and with those who were no longer there,' he said. 'They were terrifying times.' His brother Timothy said it was time to move forward. 'Sharing stories is part of the healing process,' he said. 'We came through that challenge on our own, as children. 'But now we can move forward together because walking together is better than walking alone.'
West Australian
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
National Reconciliation Week 2025 sees City of Albany host free events in line with Bridging Now to Next theme
National Reconciliation Week will begin next week with Albany joining the annual call for all Australians to move forward together while reflecting on the nation's complicated history. The City of Albany and local Aboriginal corporations will support the 2025 NRW, under the theme Bridging Now to Next, by hosting a series of free community events from May 27 to June 3. A Sorry Day Symposium held by the Southern Aboriginal Corporation and Great Southern Aboriginal Health Service will kick off the week a day early on Monday. Held at the Albany Entertainment Centre from 9am to 1pm, the event will include a panel session consisting of Menang Noongar elders directly affected by the Stolen Generation. A special screening of the Genocide in the Wildflower State documentary will also be shown and light refreshments provided. Albany public library will offer free lunchtime film screenings, including In My Blood It Runs on Tuesday and The Habits of New Norcia on Wednesday, followed by a question and answer session with survivor Mary Wynne. On Thursday there will be cultural learning activities, storytelling and traditional food at a special Reconciliation Week Playgroup at the Child and Parent Centre, open to families from across the Great Southern. City of Albany chief executive Andrew Sharpe said the theme calls for Albany to take meaningful action now, and look ahead together. 'Reconciliation is an ongoing journey, and this year's theme reminds us that meaningful change relies on collective action,' he said. 'Supporting these events is one way we can help create spaces for truth-telling, cultural sharing and community healing.' Reconciliation banners showcasing the artwork of Noongar artist Darryl Dempster will also be displayed on Stirling Terrace and York Street throughout the week. The week-long event first began as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993, before being officially rebranded to its current iteration in 1996 by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- General
- West Australian
Albany Menang elder and longstanding advocate Oscar Colbung recognised with community service award
Albany's Oscar Colbung was recognised for his ongoing commitment to his community at the recent Community Services Excellence Awards at Optus Stadium. The proud Menang elder and Southern Aboriginal Corporation deputy chief executive officer won the outstanding contribution — going above and beyond award at the ceremony hosted by the WA Council of Social Services on May 12. The award reflects more than three decades of service to the Indigenous communities of the Great Southern and Wheatbelt since his start with the SAC in 1987, including founding the Family Violence Prevention Legal Service. The community stalwart said the award came as a complete surprise. 'I was very humbled by it because it could have been any one of those other three nominees,' he said. He said he had seen plenty of 'ups and downs' in his time working in community services, but was proud to continue giving back. 'It's good to get acknowledged for the work that you've done over the years, but you don't set out to get awards, you work for the betterment of the community,' he said. He said he wanted to keep working for as long as his health allowed him to, and pass on his values of speaking up for and supporting Indigenous communities. 'It's about keeping the fire burning from the old people and hopefully passing on some of those standards and values and credentials on to the new generation,' he said. 'You don't get here on your own, you rely on your team, so the staff at SAC played a big role in my achievements as well as the board. They've been very supportive. 'But overall, we've still got a long way to go in terms of achieving outcomes for our community, in terms of closing the gap for our mob, and it's not an easy road.' SAC chief executive officer Asha Bhat said the award was a 'moment of real pride' for everyone at the organisation. Ms Bhat was also a finalist for the leadership excellence award. 'His work reflects the heart of what we do — walking alongside community with care, respect, and accountability,' she said. 'I've learnt a lot from Oscar over the years, and I know many others have too. 'Oscar walks in two worlds — he advocates for his mob but also builds bridges with the broader community. 'In a region like the Great Southern, which is rich in culture but also marked by deep challenges, having someone like Oscar out front is essential.'
West Australian
14-05-2025
- West Australian
Albany residents and workers gather for solemn National Family Violence Remembrance Day candlelight vigil
Southern Aboriginal Corporation hosted its inaugural candlelight vigil at Alison Hartman Gardens last week to mark National Family Violence Remembrance Day, drawing a crowd to honour survivors. Candles were lit and placed around the perimeter of the gardens on the night of May 7, as about 70 people gathered in the fading light in the middle of Albany to honour both survivors and those who have lost their lives to violence. Albany residents of all ages attended, as well as representatives of the region's support workers, agencies and police force. National Family Violence Remembrance Day is held annually during domestic violence prevention month and aims to remember those who have lost their lives to family and domestic violence, raise awareness of the issue around the country, and acknowledge people within communities who work to support survivors. Southern Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Asha Bhat said attendees were reminded of the 'deep and ongoing impact' of family violence. 'There was a deep sense of reflection and unity,' she said. 'It was a solemn and emotional gathering, but also one filled with compassion and quiet strength. 'You could feel the shared understanding in the silence — people came with open hearts to honour those we've lost and to stand with those still living with the impacts of family and domestic violence.' She said the gathering was also a call to action to speak out about violence, hear survivors' stories with compassion, and to continue working for a world without domestic violence. 'Creating a moment of public acknowledgement is powerful,' she said. 'It sends the message that we see them, we hear them, and we're committed to change. 'Our hope is that this gathering encouraged greater empathy, awareness and a shared responsibility to prevent violence in all its forms.'
West Australian
02-05-2025
- West Australian
SAC hosts inaugural candlelit vigil to honour and give hope on National Family Violence Remembrance Day
Victims and survivors of family violence in Albany will be honoured in a touching candlelit vigil on Wednesday in an effort to shed light on the cycle of violence that plagues the community. The event, hosted by the Southern Aboriginal Corporation, is the first of its kind in Albany and mimics the Perth event held each year on May 7 to mark National Family Violence Remembrance Day. SAC chief executive Asha Bhat said she hoped the vigil served as an expression of collective grief, compassion and responsibility. 'Each candle lit tells a story,' she said. 'It speaks to lives lost too soon, and the urgent need to break the cycle of violence. 'Through the Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, we offer culturally safe legal support and trauma-informed counselling to Aboriginal women and children. 'We walk alongside them during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. 'This vigil is about honouring those we've lost, standing with those who survive, and recommitting to the work we must do — together — to ensure women and children can live free from fear.' Pamela Watts, who is a trauma counsellor for the SAC-backed FVPLS, said the vigil offered a 'deeply needed' moment of reflection. 'Family and domestic violence touches every corner of our society,' she said. 'It leaves behind silence, pain and sorrow. 'But when we gather like this, we create space to remember, to support and to say 'enough'. 'These candles are more than light — they are symbols of healing, love, strength and a future we must keep working for.' The vigil will be held at Alison Hartman Gardens at 6pm on May 7. Attendees are asked to bring battery-operated candles or tealights as no naked flames are permitted. If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
