'Red Hill' The Movie

I Saw this movie on Friday night and have just been reading a number of online reviews. Most of them liked some of it, but thought it was flawed far various reason. Most saw it as some kind of hybrid cop come cowboy movie and talked how it would trade off its star's (Ryan Kwanten)cred.

Bu I think most reviewers, have missed the whole point of the movie. It an updated remake of a 30+ year old Australian movie called 'The Chant of Jimmy Blacksmith' which was based on the true story of Jimmy Governor.

The central character is called 'Jimmy' and is played by 'Tom E. Lewis' who played the lead role in the prior mentioned late 70's movie. Lewis plays his role with power and presence, uttering only one line of dialogue, that was less than ten words.

I don't want to give too much away, but if you know the 'Governor' story, the storyline remains true to it in a current setting. Interestingly, the fella I was watching it with was cheering throughout. It alludes to some issues around police, development along with Aboriginal rights and space; but does not present them in a preachy in your face kind of way.

Sure there are some odd bits, but the film hangs together well and it is certainly better than a lot the hollywood dross that is served up to us in large dollops.

Check it out

Speech at the close of 'Mental Health Week' 2010

Kia nidja Noongar Boodja, naan djerapin nidja ngalla boodja.

I acknowledge the Noongar sovereign people of the land on which we meet. I pay respect to their elders, their culture and their law. This always was, and always will be, Noongar land.

One in every five Australians is likely to experience some form of mental illness in their lifetime.

I would like to pay tribute to the many organisations here today I think they have done enormous good in helping people to recognise mental illness like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and depression and also in trying to change the community approach towards mental illness, and to help de-stigmatise mental illness.

The greatest burden falls on the families of those with mental illness. Families often do the bulk of caring with insufficient support or understanding from the wider community. Research shows that most mental illnesses begin between the ages of 15 and 25. Family breakdowns, peer group pressure and social ostracism can all play contributing roles, leading to the onset of mental illness.

Country areas are particularly badly serviced by mental health services. Natural disasters—droughts, floods or bushfires—can exacerbate the pressure on many Australians living in rural and remote areas. Suicide rates in regional Australia are significantly higher than those in major cities. I would also be re-miss not to note the effect of inter-generational trauma on our first peoples as a result of previous government policies such as child removal, institutionalisation and over-incarceration. The present political football of detention of asylum seekers and their children also raises similar concerns. The matter of the over-representation of people with mental illness in prisons and the criminal justice system is ringing major alarm bells. These areas, in particular, need better support services.

The Barnett government has acknowledged the importance of mental health, and has established the Mental Health Commission. That is potentially a very far-reaching reform. The Commissioner, Mr Eddie Bartnik, said this week that he wants to work in partnership with WAAMH and the non Government mental health service providers.

With appropriate treatment and early intervention, people can often recover from mental illness. But it is vital that the necessary treatments and supports be made available, allowing people to participate in the community and lead fulfilling lives.
We need to see real reform and not just cosmetic changes, we need to see a substantial shift in resources from the acute clinical approach, to the community sector organisations. The community sector organisations currently receive around 7% of the WA mental health budget, we we would like to see that shift to 25% within five years.

In the past there was a misperception that mental health care is a luxury item on the health budget and where higher mortality diseases win the lion’s share of financial support.

We now have good reason to challenge this thinking.

Mental health problems are real disorders. They cause death and disability. They cause suffering. They have symptoms. And they can be managed, with appropriate resources.

This is the message we can now communicate with confidence.

Tobacco Companies and Road Safety

What have tobacco companies got to do with road safety you may rightly ask. Anything and everything is the answer, read on.

Tobacco Companies are fighting for the right to kill their loyal customers. Their campaign is to stop the Government's intention to compel tobacco companies to sell their products in plain packaging. The idea is that attractive cigarette packs with familiar livery will go. The merchants of death fear that this would be the catalyst that will spread around the world and cost them billions.

The Big Three - British American Tobacco Australia, Imperial Tobacco Australia and Philip Morris Australia - have established a front group that supposedly represents service stations, newsagent and convenience stores. Plain packaging, we are warned, would harm small business and cost jobs.

Hello, the idea is to drive down smoking rates. And hello, the smoker who quits is not going to stop spending their money.

Maybe panel beaters should start a campaign, saying that road safety strategies are driving them out of business.

PS. When are we going to see a road safety campaign that bans people from driving when they are smoking? Or smoking when they are driving!

money and democracy

Today we have seen the commencement of a major campaign funded by global tobacco companies against a government commitment they do not like. Plain packaging for tobacco products, and they are clearly worried about it setting a precedent that other countries will follow. Much has been said and written about the actual policy and that is not my purpose here. I am more concerned with the fact that multinational companies can pour millions into a campaign during an election campaign, it is not dis-similar to the campaign the miners are running against the re-jigged 'super tax'; but being tobacco, I am more familiar with it. There is also an issue in terms of transparency and accountability. The front alliance for this campaign was only legally established 13 days ago! Why can't the tobacco companies be more open about; rather than framing the issue in terms of small retailers?

Clearly, corporate wealth influences the public debate; that is why the tobacco and mining companies are pouring millions into their campaigns. They purport that their intent is not to bring down governments; but, this seems rather thin. no matter what, others will use their campaign, and perhaps money, to leverage a change of government.

Imagine if the poor, the dispossessed, the oppressed and the marginalized had that much leverage in the political process. imagine if asylum seekers could throw ten million dollars at an advertising campaign.

WA Government pays compensation to Ward Family

The family of an Aboriginal elder who roasted to death in searing heat in the back of a prison van will receive a $3.2 million compensation payment from the WA government.

In some ways dollars will never be enough to compensate the loss of a loved one and community leader. This amount acknowledges the State's responsibility for Mr Ward's death. The call for A Royal Commission by the Member for Fremantle cites something from about a hundred years ago, but fails to acknowledge the work of the Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody, which reported almost 20 years ago. The RCIADIC provided a template for reform, which largely remains under-implemented. Maybe, we need to re-visit its recommendations.

Honouring Yagan

Yagan was killed in 1833, his head was decapitated smoked and taken to London. Over a century later it was buried in an unmarked grave in Liverpool. This Saturday Yagan’s kaat (head) is to be re- buried in the Swan Valley.

Historians have underestimated the dynamics of what was occurring for the Noongar people in the early years of the colony and how the newcomers were perceived and understood by Noongar people. The burial of Yagan’s kaat provides an opportunity to reflect on some of Yagan’s interactions with settlers.

In June 1832 Yagan attacked two men, one of whom later died. Yagan was declared an outlaw with a reward for his capture. He was eventually caught and sentenced to death, but he was saved by Robert Lyon, who argued that Yagan was defending his land, and should be treated as a prisoner of war. As a result Yagan was exiled on Carnac Island, under the supervision of Lyon. Yagan escaped and no-one tried to recapture him. It seems the authorities thought that he had been sufficiently punished.

Lyon published a number of articles about his time with Yagan, he called Yagan the ‘Wallace of the Age’ after the 13th century Scottish patriot.

In January 1833 two Aboriginal men visited from Albany and settlers arranged for them to meet Swan River Noongars in the hope that it might encourage friendly relations like those in Albany. Yagan led a formal greeting for them. The Albany men stayed on and later Yagan obtained permission to hold another corroboree for them in Perth. The Perth Gazette wrote that Yagan "was master of ceremonies and acquitted himself with infinite grace and dignity".

Subsequently, some Aboriginal men broke into store and Yagan’s brother was shot and later died. Yagan vowed vengeance for the death. Later some Aboriginal men killed two settlers. Large rewards were offered for the capture of Yagan and the others involved. Yagan's father Midgegooroo was captured and after a swift trial he was executed by firing squad.

Afterwards Yagan was met by George Moore in Upper Swan. Moore, wrote in his diary:

“Yagan stepped forward, and leaning his left hand on my shoulder, while he gesticulated with the right, delivered a sort of recitative, looking earnestly at my face. I regret that I could not understand it; I thought from the tone and manner that the purport was this: `You came to our country; you have driven us from our haunts and disturbed us in our occupations. As we walk in our country we are fired upon by the white men. Why should the white men treat us so?'”

Moore made no attempt to capture Yagan other than to report the sighting to the nearest magistrate; he wrote,

"The truth is, every one wishes him taken, but no one likes to be the captor ... there is something in his daring which one is forced to admire."

In July 1833, two teenage brothers, William and James Keates, met a group of Aboriginal men on their way to collect rations near Guilford. Being on friendly terms with Yagan, the brothers suggested he remain with them to avoid arrest; Yagan stayed with them all morning. During this time the boys decided to kill Yagan and claim the reward; after being rejoined by Yagan’s colleagues William shot and killed Yagan.

These vignettes show that Yagan had positive relationships with settlers; the contact with Lyon, his role in the visit of the Albany men, his contact with Moore and even the prior rapport with the Keates brothers. His seeking of permission for the Perth corroboree also suggests Yagan had some understanding of the changing nature of authority the new colony was establishing.

Two things stand out in his meeting with Moore, the colony’s first Advocate General. Firstly, that Yagan put his hand on Moore’s shoulder and secondly, that Moore did not make any attempt to capture Yagan, in fact he notes that he admired Yagan. This suggests a high level of shared respect and goodwill.

The outlawing and killing of Midgegooroo and Yagan demonstrated that the colonial government was determined to protect the interests of the colonists. The early authorities adhered to what has been called the principle of ‘legal dualism’, under which Aboriginal people were to be punished for transgressions of British law on the assumption that ‘by constant contact they would become “infected” with it and gradually abandon their customs and superstitions’.

It is important to honour certain individuals in our history. The story of Yagan is about a collision of two cultures and their differing philosophies of the land. Noongar people have successfully demonstrated a doctrine of survival, rather than one of extinction. This was demonstrated in the 2006 Federal court decision in favour of Noongar native title over Perth.

Yagan is an important figure and symbol for Noongar people today; and perhaps for the wider community as well.

Dirt & Miners

Dirt, soil, land, minerals, real estate, property.

Australia was colonized because of its dirt!

Dirt generates wealth - whether it be by digging it up, growing things on it, chopping things down, building things on it, playing sport on it, or killing for it.

It is the basis of our whole economy and always has been.

Once upon a time Aboriginal people owned it all. In some places they still have an active voice in how it is used.

Now, in general, the Australian community owns it -for the benefit of all.

It seems criminal that individuals can make huge amounts of dollars out of a community asset, then squeal at the thought of any change to the rules.

Miners please note that the Australian community owns these non-renewable resources and are entitled to insist on a fair return.