NSWALC STATEWIDE CONFERENCE 2011

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council held a State Wide Conference for Local Aboriginal Land Councils of NSW in the Hunter Valley region in April this year.

The dates for the conference were 5-7 APRIL 2011.

NSWALC Statewide Conference 2011 Wrap-Up Video

An Official Opening and Welcome to Country took place on Tuesday 5th April, followed by a three day program that included official launches, sharing of vital information, panel discussions, workshops, an official dinner and an International guest speaker.

International Guest Speaker Professor James Anaya, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous People gave the Keynote Speech. James Anaya is a Professor of international human rights, constitutional law and Indigenous issues.

Professor James Anaya, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, NSW Aboriginal Land Council State Wide Conference 2011:Keynote Speech.

NSWALC State Wide Conference 2011 Agenda

Debate on Hot Topics, Koori Mail Article 20th April 2011

Further information on the outcomes of this year's State Wide Conference including presentations, photos and videos will be posted on this website soon.

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NSWALC Statewide Conferece 2009

The NSWALC Conference broke new ground in 2009.

It attracted more than 250 delegates from the network of 119 Local Aboriginal Land Councils from across the State. They represented a majority of the Aboriginal Nations of NSW. The delegates discussed and debated a wide range of key policy, planning, operational and advocacy issues. Forums for our Elders and our Youth were held at a NSWALC State Conference for the first time.

[click here for photos from Statewide Conference 2009]

Plenary sessions and concurrent workshops included discussion and debate on:

• The Future of NSWALC and the Network 
• NSWALC Corporate & Business Plan
• NSWALC Future Directions & Initiatives
• NSWALC Investment Fund and Finance
• Exposure Draft Bill on Land Dealings Amendements to the ALRA
• LALC Funding Policy
• Constitutional Reform and a Bill of Rights
• NSW Government Programs and Services
  • Department of Aboriginal Affairs
  • Office of the Registrar (ALRA)
  • Aboriginal Housing Office
• ALRA Future Amendments and LALC Elections and LALC Memebrship Rolls.
• Social Housing
• Two Ways Together - Partnership Communities & Economic Dev
• Australian Government Programs and Services
  • Dept of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
  • Indigenous Business Australia (IBA)
  • Dept of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
  • Aboriginal Land Management Framework

The Federal Minister for Indigenous Affairs, the Hon. Jenny Macklin MP, also addressed delegates on the Australian Government's Programs and Services to Indigenous Australians.

Peak Aboriginal organisations, State and Federal Government Departments and other agencies that provide targeted programs and services to Aboriginal communities also exhibited their products and programs for the first time at a NSWALC State Conference.  [click here for photos]

NSWALC also provided an information stall on its products, services and programs, including Land Claims, the Education Endowment Scholarship Fund and the joint Water and Sewerage Initiative with the NSW Government.

It also took the opportunity the Conference provided to "take the temperature," of the network on a range of major issues through a written survey of all delegates. The results of the survey are incorporated into this record of proceedings.

Above all, the State Conference provided a rare opportunity for the elected representatives of First Nations from across the State to come together and network over three days on the wide range of issues which face Aboriginal people and their elected organisations as we work to improve the social, political, economic and cultural well being of our constituents.

The Official Dinner for the NSWALC Statewide Conference 2009 featured a keynote address by The Hon. Linda Burney M.P, NSW Minister for Community Services. [Click here for a copy of Ms Burney's speech]. Entertainment was provided by Aboriginal comedian Sean Choolburra and the soulful Emma Donovan.

Networking the Nations is the official report from the State Conference. It puts on the record all the presentations, plenary sessions, keynote addresses and concurrent workshops held over the three days. The Report also contains a CD with copies of all speeches, presentations and a selection of photographs. To download a PDF copy click on the Booklet. Printed copies can be obtained by calling (02) 9689 4444.