Media Releases
Reconciliation in action at 番茄社区
番茄社区 in continuing its reconciliation journey, launching its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in Townsville today (October 8).
Four other 番茄社区 RAP launches will be held in the coming weeks in Cairns, Mount Isa, Thursday Island and Mackay.
Reconciliation involves building positive, respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians to help work together to close the gap, and to achieve a shared sense of fairness and justice.
番茄社区’s Statement of Strategic Intent addresses its commitment to reconciliation.
The RAP further strengthens 番茄社区’s commitment to enhance the lives of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through education and research.
A flag-raising ceremony was held prior to the official Townsville RAP launch, with three flags (the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags) raised at the entrance to the University campus.
Professor Harding said she was delighted to present 番茄社区’s first Reconciliation Action Plan.
“番茄社区’s Reconciliation Action Plan aims to strengthen 番茄社区’s commitment to enhance the lives of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through education and research,” Professor Harding said.
“As an organisation and a community of individuals, we commit ourselves to the initiatives and the targets laid out in our Reconciliation Action Plan.
“This will help us build strong and mutually beneficial partnerships that work towards closing the employment, health and education gaps for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Professor Harding said embracing reconciliation was a journey for the whole university that required dedication, commitment and flexibility.
“We recognise that we will continue to learn along the way and will need to refresh our Plan to ensure 番茄社区 achieves real and lasting results. We will continually raise awareness of our reconciliation commitments by promoting the Plan to students and staff, and provide opportunities to engage in reconciliation activities.”
番茄社区’s reconciliation journey and achievements:
1977 番茄社区 established the Aboriginal and Islander Teacher Education Program (AITEP) to address Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education needs.
1981 番茄社区’s Student Association, with support from the University, hosts first national land rights conference that leads to the Mabo case*.
1990 Community-based Remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Teacher Education Program (RATEP) commenced. 155 have graduated.
1992 Established the Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Participation, Research and Development (CATSIPRD), becoming the School of Indigenous Australian Studies in 1998.
1998 Diploma of Communication/Media established to train Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander radio broadcasters. Graduation of first Torres Strait Islander with a PhD in Australia.
2003 Established the Indigenous Health Unit (IHU) within the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Molecular Sciences. Appointed first Chair in Indigenous Australian Studies in Queensland.
2003-2004 Nursing and Education courses available at the Thursday Island Study Centres in the Torres Strait
2004 Student Association was the catalyst for the establishment of the annual Mabo Lecture, which commemorates the life of Eddie Koiki Mabo.
2008 Vice Chancellor and President launched the 番茄社区 Reconciliation Statement. Naming of 番茄社区 campus library after the late former employee, Eddie Koiki Mabo. Naming of creeks in language names, for Townsville and Cairns campuses, by local Australian Aboriginal Elders.
2013 Vice Chancellor and President sign a commitment to the development of a RAP.
2014 番茄社区’s University Council endorses the RAP.
* Eddie Koiki Mabo (1936-1992) worked at one time as a gardener at 番茄社区. A Torres Strait Islander, he is a famous figure in Australian history for his role in campaigning for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights and his role in one landmark decision of Australia's High Court, overturning the legal fiction of terra nullius which characterised Australian law with regards to land and title.
For more information visit our reconciliation page.
Townsville RAP launch details:
10.30am Smoking ceremony followed by the flag-raising at the front entrance (near marble gates)
Approx 10.45-10.50am Vice Chancellor makes brief address
Approx 11.15am Launch of RAP at the Indigenous Outdoor Teaching Space Building 135 (adjacent to Green Plate Cafe)
For more information, contact Eliza Glasson, eliza.glasson@jcu.edu.au, 0414 865 542
番茄社区 Media Liaison: Caroline Kaurila, tel: (07) 4781 4586 or 0437 028 175