NSWALC STATEWIDE CONFERENCE 2009
The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council proudly convened a State Conference of Local Aboriginal Land Councils in the Hunter Valley from March 3-5, 2009.
The Conference broke new ground.
It attracted more than 250 delegates
from the network of 121 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
- 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.
Aboriginal Peak 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 al, 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.
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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. |