SNAICC Newsletter

SNAICC welcomes Frank Hytten, who takes over as new SNAICC EO in early June. Frank replaces Julian Pocock, who leaves SNAICC after ten years.

Frank started his working life as a Youth Worker in community development in the early 1970s and has continued in the social and community services as a manager, policy bureaucrat, sector based trainer and consultant – always with a focus on social justice and human rights. His work has been primarily in the youth and psychiatric disability support sectors, with people confronted by the issues that arise from poverty and exclusion.

For the last eight years Frank has been the Coordinator of ANTaR Victoria and CEO of Reconciliation Victoria.

'I think my main strength is listening to people - a fundamental principal of community development - and working with them in developing the best strategies by which to achieve their goals. I think my experience with various similar agencies will stand me in good stead in terms of the work of SNAICC and my role with the organisation.

'Injustice is a big issue for me' he said, 'and racism is one of the many bases of injustice. To create a just society we need to learn about ourselves and others. This means seeing life as an adventure about self-reflection, personal challenge and communication, personally, professionally and in organisational development; and of course, always learning. It also means being engaged with ideas and issues, being ‘policy political’ and being active in our families, our work, and in society."

'To be working for SNAICC is a great opportunity and privilege.   To be working for children and families is working at the very heart of building stronger and healthier communities.

‘I see my first six months as doing a lot of listening and discussing; working with SNAICC members and getting a feel for what is needed by Aboriginal and Islander communities around the nation. I will also need to familiarise myself about the role of SNAICC and the political and policy context in which we work.’

Frank was born in South India on a military base near Ooty. ‘Being military meant that we travelled all over the place,’ he said. ‘I went to boarding school from age of nine until we migrated to Melbourne.’

Despite Frank’s long residence in Melbourne however, he is not in fact a Collingwood supporter, but has more recently become a keen supporter of the Fitzroy Stars Football Club, a primarily Aboriginal club whose motto is: ‘It’s not just about football’.

Some favourite things:

• Colour: Red and yellow but mostly wears black
• Food: Thai
• Music that says something interesting e.g. Bob Dylan, Kev Carmody, Pink Martini
• Activity: Trying to make sense of things, reading (non-fiction)
• Movie: Life of Brian TV: Don’t watch a lot of TV
• Thinking place: My study at home
• Family: My partner

SNAICC 25th anniversary dinner

12-14 November 2008, Salamander Bay NSW. It was time to dress up and celebrate at the SNAICC 25th anniversary dinner following the 2008 AGM and members policy forum. It was also time to praise and thank retiring SNAICC Chair, Muriel Bamblett. Uncle Neville Lilley and Auntie Lorraine Lilley gave a warm welcome to Worimi country which included an excellent presentation about the local area, with photos, maps, yarns, history and hopes, which was much enjoyed by everyone. Brian Butler, past Chair of SNAICC, was there to congratulate retiring Chair Muriel Bamblett, congratulate new Chair Steve Larkins and tell stories. And of course Muriel Bamblett talked about her ten years as SNAICC Chair and about Julian Pocock’s plan to resign... A great celebration of some significant milestones in SNAICC history.  2008–2009 SNAICC National Exec and former Chair Brian Butler celebrate 25 years of SNAICC working for Aboriginal and Torres Strait children and families. L–R: Back: Ian Davidson, Donna Klein, Garry Mathews, Julian Pocock, Kathleen Pinkerton. Dawn Wallam, Ray Burrows, Debbie Bond, Steve Larkins, Lisa Coulson, Dot Bagshaw, Sharron Willams. Front Desley Thompson, Muriel Bamblett, Rose Bamblett, Brian Butler.

Goodbye Julian and Muriel – many thanks from very many people

The SNAICC Executive and staff and member services all wish former EO Julian Pocock and former Chair Muriel Bamblett well in their post SNAICC life and thank them for their ten years of dedicated work and skilled leadership. Thanks also to their families for supporting them over so many years. With so many stories to tell, we asked Julian and Muriel to interview each other. Their recording is now being edited – it’s a great read, covering many ministers, victories and failures, friends, tall tales, political plays and future hopes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families. Some great stories from some cool operators! So you will have to wait a little to hear their story until the edit is done. But meanwhile, here’s one Julian story to go with the picture. It was Julian’s second last day at SNAICC, 12 May. He cleared out his shelves, and was wandering through the office towards the paper recycling bin carrying The Books. That’s when we got the shot! Now Julian always had his A4 note books when he spoke of work. Sometimes he wrote notes. He always seemed to find what he wanted if some point from the past needed clarifying – the important details, the things to be done, the resolutions and agreements. And the picture shows the whole ten years of books! How economical and well organised is that!

Goddbye to SAICC Staff, Nikki, Liz, Carmen

Nikki Butler, Liz Orr and Carmen Isherwood (Dunn) have recently left

SNAICC. It’s been sad for us staying back here...but best wishes in your new worlds.

Nikki Butler has gone home to Darwin to work with a very lucky NT Department of Health and Families and is having a fine time. Nikki is passionate about Indigenous child and family welfare and over the years has developed valuable knowledge and skills in the areas of child protection and out-of-home-care. We have heard plenty of NT folk are really keen to hear about things she has learnt in the deep south. Her Cape Barren Islander fiancé Shaun is said to have completely fallen for the Top End.

Then there’s Liz Orr, who worked for three and a half years at SNAICC as an internal evaluator on the PARE project with our children’s services workforce in Queensland, WA, SA and elsewhere (see page14 in this issue). Liz’s community development and networking knowledge will be missed at SNAICC, but be gained in her new work place – The Brotherhood of St. Lawrence.

And there’s Carmen Isherwood (nee Dunn) who worked at SNAICC from when the office staff was small, in many roles and with many people. Carmen has now moved on to set up her own business. Carmen says she grew up with SNAICC. It’s not too long before her little daughter Sienna will need her Year 10 work experience ...

SNAICC national executive Q & A

Three SNAICC executive members share their ideas about two questions

The Apology one year on It’s like husbands and wives renewing their vows. Every year the Prime Minister needs to renew that commitment to reinforce the message and reassure our people that the apology is a real thing, that it’s alive and the government will continue working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country to bridge that divide between black and white. Something good I got married this January to my beautiful man from St. Paul Mission, Moa Is. Donna Klein Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Child Protection Peak Ltd donna.klein@cqaicca. org.au

Th e Apology one year on I don’t think anything much has changed from a material point of view. ‘Sorry’ was a good thing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and everyone appreciated having it said, but we thought things would move faster. Our biggest problem now is the suspension of the Racial Discrimination Act by the Howard government in the NT Intervention. It’s a? ected how Queensland government has introduced a new alcohol strategy to Cherbourg. Th ere was no consultation. Something good Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people now see hope under the Federal Labor government. You see that hope being shown when you talk to people – you see that emotion has built up. Ray Burrows Gundoo Day Care gundoodaycare@bigpond.com

The Apology one year on ‘Sorry’ – it’s silent isn’t it! The Apology was heartfelt and touched the right cords. But as a nation you would never know it happened – maybe there are small things, little events and people talking. It started out like a rushing tide, a wave of excitement. But now it seems the wave has petered out. Maybe it needs to be picked up again, but who will take it up? It shouldn’t be left to Aboriginal people alone, but to the broader Australian community. Something good Our Noongar kids – my kids, my four little grandchildren. They are the source of my complete happiness. Children are such happy little souls, so easily consoled – you just have to acknowledge their trouble and they are happy again. Dawn Wallam, SNAICC Yorganop Association Incorporated, Perth. dawnwallam@ yorganop.org.au