Australia and the Pacific
Saviour or Neo-Colonialist sheriff?
with Sociologist, Dr Robert Wolfgramm
Saturday 15 November 2003
The Australian West Papua Association and the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre of the University of South Australia, with the support of the East Timor Friendship Assoc., Fiji Assoc., Tongan Community Radio
Robert Wolfgramm was born in Fiji in 1952 of German, Tongan, Jewish,
Australian and Fijian ancestors. Robert moved to Melbourne in 1963 and has
been busy since, raising 8 children, and teaching Sociology, Religion,
Popular Music, Sociology of Ethnicity and Minority Relations. He has been a
failed theology student, a timber measurer, a printer’s collator, a railway
clerk, a builder’s labourer, an interstate truck driver, and a musician with
Fijian band, the Bula Boys, recording three albums.
During the 1980s Robert studied under Guboo Ted Thomas (now deceased) Yuin
elder of Wallaga Lake. In 1990 while researching indigenous Fijians for his
doctorate, Robert began to take up articulating their interests, something
he still does. He lobbies and writes for the Signs religious magazine and
has appeared in Adventist Professional, Spectrum, Review of Religious
Research, and the God Factor. He has written articles for the Age and Fiji
Times.
Also presenting
Jacob Rumbiak, Senior Research Associate, RMIT University, leader of the
West Papuan independence movement and its chief proponent of non-violence,
jailed for 10 years for the cause
Siti Rogoimuri, a Fijian who is a p/t student at Theological College and
works with the homeless
Andy Alcock, who received a peace award for his 28 years work on East Timor
independence
Neti Folauhola, President, Tongan Community Radio and teacher, Salisbury
Primary School
Therese Kemelfield, migrated from Bougainville in 1990, working on
traditional Motuna stories and children's games
Further information
Contact Andrew Derrington, Secretary, AWPA (SA), on 08-8340 1847 or email sascha@airnet.com.au Postal address PO Box 29, Kilkenny 5009