Knowing the Impact - Count Me In:
Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal People
 |
 |
Wednesday 30 May 2012, Allan Scott Auditorium
 |
Podcast available HERE |
| (MP3) 40Mb (or right click and select 'save target as' to download) |
Jointly presented by Anglicare SA and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and held during SA Reconciliation Week
Anglicare SA is committed to a campaign to educate Australians on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders as Australia's first peoples. An Expert Panel was appointed by the Prime Minister to report on options for this recognition by means of a referendum to change the Constitution.
The
Count Me In campaign encourages everyone to be involved and make
their vote count.
This forum will explain the importance of referendum and the need for all Australians to understand the issues.
Chair: Dr Lynn Arnold AO, Reconciliation Ambassador, and CEO Anglicare SA
Host: Ms Elizabeth Ho OAM, Director, Hawke Centre and People of Australia
Ambassador
Panel members:
- The Hon Robyn Layton AO, Member of University of South
Australia, Co-Chair of Reconciliation SA and Ambassador for
Count Me In
Speaking about recommendations in the Expert Panel Report: Summary of recommendations and powerpoint presentation (pdf format) - Ms Khatija Thomas, Commissioner for Aboriginal
Engagement
Speaking about ways to engage Aboriginal Communities in the conversation and process - Professor Peter Buckskin PSM FACE, Co-Chair Reconciliation SA and
Dean: Indigenous Scholarship, Engagement and Research at UniSA
Speaking about the importance of the referendum in the reconciliation process Powerpoint presentation (pdf format)
Biographies:
Dr Lynn Arnold AO commenced in the
role of Chief Executive of Anglicare SA on March 10, 2008, after eleven
years with World Vision International where he held roles such as Senior
Director (Board Development and Peer Review), Regional Vice President for
Asia and Pacific and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for World Vision
Australia.
As Anglicare's Chief Executive Officer, Lynn is responsible for overseeing South Australia's largest non-government agency promoting 'justice, respect and fullness of life for all.' Anglicare SA has over 1500 staff and 1000 volunteers with an annual budget of approximately $100 million.
Lynn is currently National Co-Chair for Anti-Poverty Week, a member of the Anglicare Australia Council, Chair Trustees, Don Dunstan Foundation and one of three South Australian Reconciliation Ambassadors. During his time as CEO of World Vision Dr Arnold also served on the Australian Foreign Minister's Aid Advisory Council, and the Australian Council for Overseas Aid.
Lynn holds a PhD, as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from the University of Adelaide. He also holds a diploma in Senior Company Administration from the Escuela Superior de la Alta Direccion de Empresas (ESADE) in Barcelona, Spain. In 2004, he was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) for his services to Australia through the South Australian Parliament as Premier, and internationally through development and humanitarian aid assistance. In 2001 he received the Centenary Medal for his services to the Australian community.
Robyn
Layton QC AO is a former Supreme Court Judge and currently an
Adjunct Professor at the School of Law, University of South Australia. Her
strong connection with Aboriginal social justice issues began in the late
1960's after she went into partnership with Elliott Johnston AO QC. She has
since that time undertaken pro bono legal work for Aboriginal people, was
the solicitor for the Central Aboriginal Land Rights team prior to the
formation of Central Aboriginal Land Council. Later as a barrister she was
involved in the Hindmarsh Island litigation in State and Federal Courts and
also in the Royal Commission. Robyn still continues her work on Aboriginal
issues through a number of social justice committees which include as Co
Chair of Reconciliation SA.
Khatija
Thomas, Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement
In December 2010, Khatija Thomas was appointed by the Governor as
Co-Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement in South Australia. Ms Thomas was
born in Port Augusta and is a proud Kokatha woman.
Directly prior to her appointment as Commissioner, she was a solicitor with the South Australian Native Title Services, working on projects to strengthen Aboriginal community governance, participation in and implementation of native title benefits.
She previously worked for the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement and also completed a twelve month Australian Youth Ambassador for Development placement as a legal advisor at the Community Legal Education Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Her work was primarily in the Land and Natural Resources Team on indigenous land titling, land law and natural resources law issues.
For the last few years, Ms Thomas has focused on delivery of legal representation and advocacy for Aboriginal women. She has travelled to rural and remote communities in the north of South Australia where she has provided advice, advocacy and community legal education to Aboriginal women regarding domestic violence and community safety.
She was previously chairperson of the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, member of the Law Society of South Australia's Indigenous Issues Committee and member of the South Australian Government's Aboriginal Advisory Council.
She has also been a DEEWR Indigenous Ambassador and is a member of the South Australian Aboriginal Education Consultative Body. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Public and International Law through the University of Melbourne.
Khatija now continues in the role as Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement in a full-time capacity.
Professor
Peter Buckskin PSM, FACE, Dean: Indigenous Scholarship, Engagement and
Research
For over thirty years I have had the privilege of working in the
rewarding area of Aboriginal Education in a number of exciting roles. Prior
to taking up the position of Dean ISER, I was Dean and Head of School of the
David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research.
I have worked as a classroom teacher in Western Australia and South
Australia, and advocated by occupying the Chair of the South Australian
Aboriginal Education Consultative Committee, and being a member of the
National Aboriginal Education Committee.
I have held high public office as a Ministerial Adviser, Superintendent of
Schools, and a Senior Executive at both State and Commonwealth level in the
portfolios of Aboriginal Affairs, Employment, Education and Training.
I was a member of the Australian National Commission to UNESCO from 1984
until 1986.
I am Patron of the Principals Australia's Dare to Lead Program, which
encourages and supports Australian school Principals in improving Indigenous
education outcomes and working for Reconciliation in their schools.
I was an invited contributor to the Australian 2020 Summit of leaders and
thinkers contributing to a vision for Australia's future.
My international work includes participating in the 2009 Working Group of
Experts to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that
reported to the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.
In 2010 I was pleased to accept four important appointments namely; Board
Member of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, inaugural
(NCAFP) Board for one term, Council Member of the Australian Research
Council's (ARC) Advisory Council, Board member of The Lowitja Institute, and
Executive Member of World Indigenous Network of Higher Education Consortium,
(WINHEC).
In 2011, I agreed to accept a 3 year term as a member of the Australian
Government's National First Peoples Education Advisory Group.
I continue as the Chairperson of both the South Australian Aboriginal
Education and Training Consultative Body, (SAAETCB) and the National
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium.
In recognition of my contribution I have received the Commonwealth Public
Service Medal in the 2001 Australia Day Honours, Frank G Klassen Award for
Leadership and Contribution to Teacher Education from the International
Council on Education for Teaching (ICET), 2003 and in 2005 the National
Deadly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Education.
I was elected a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE) in
2007.
I am also proud to be a White Ribbon Ambassador to promote an organisation
that is working to prevent the most common and pervasive form of male
violence - that towards women.
While the views presented by speakers within the Hawke Centre public
program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University
of South Australia or The Hawke Centre, they are presented in the interest
of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of:
strengthening our democracy - valuing our diversity - and
building our future.
The copying and reproduction of any transcripts within the Hawke Centre
public program is strictly forbidden without prior arrangements.