The timing was impeccable. The contrast could not be more stark. On the United Nations International Day of the World's Indigenous People (August 9th, 2011) an order was made to smash and desecrate a unique expression of Aboriginal Culture in Victoria.
On August 9th, 2011, the United Nations General Secretary implored us all "Together, let us celebrate and recognize the stories, cultures and unique identities of indigenous peoples around the world. At the same time, let us work to strengthen their rights and support their aspirations.” (http://www.un.org/en/events/indigenousday/)
On that very day Wayne Craig, Regional Director of Education with the approval of a wayward senior bureaucrat and his catholic Minister for Education Martin Dixon, ordered the tearing down of a building used as a Gathering Place a significant expression of Aboriginal culture, the destruction of a sacred Spirit Tree and the desecration of the only Aboriginal ceremonial grounds in a school in Melbourne.
In the United Nations "Decade for Action and Dignity", Mr Craig completely undermined the work of local people. When the UN was focussing on "Indigenous designs; celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future" Mr Craig and his colleagues were hell-bent on ignoring the wishes of Indigenous people about the only Indigenous school in Melbourne.
While the UN highlighted “the need for preservation and revitalization of Indigenous cultures, including their art and intellectual property. It can also be used to showcase indigenous artists and cooperatives or businesses who are taking inspiration from indigenous peoples' customs and the indigenous communities who may have participated or benefited from this."
The UN said "It is also a reminder of the responsibility of individuals as consumers, to understand that there is a story and a personal experience behind every piece of cloth, textile or artwork from an Indigenous individual or community. "
At UN headquarters on August 9 there was a special event "focusing on intellectual property in relation to Indigenous designs, as well as best practices for protecting indigenous arts and crafts. "
At the Department of Education, Northern Region, on August 9, the DEECD ordered the destruction and desecration of a place that is vital for the handing down of ancient traditions and customs. Meanwhile the Victorian Aboriginal Education association the principal Aboriignal education advisers to Minister Dixon sat silent throughout the dispute and packed their bags for the World Indigenous Education Conference in Peru. "
Following on from the Auditor-Generals Report earlier this year, the actions of the DEECD earlier this week show that the DEECD is currently completely unworthy of its role in supporting the advancement of Aboriginal people and creating Indigenous education policies of substance and creativity. The Aboriginal education bureaucrats and a catholic minister in the minds of many People have all failed their mid years.
By Gary Murray from the Save Ballerrt Mooroop College Campaign(UN Reference: http://www.un.org/en/events/indigenousday/
More background on the issue
Info reprinted from the Treaty Republic Website
Disengaged children stripped of cultural and sporting areas:Ballerrt Mooroop College Blockade
The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (VDEECD) gave the impression that they were happy with a compromised solution through a mediation process. However, during the mediation proceedings they have struck without warning to fence off land at the Ballarrt Mooroop College (BMC) and commence building the new 18 million dollar Glenroy Specialist School (GSS).
The new GSS school will take away the Indigenous school's adjacent parklands, their important cultural heritage precinct and their duel purpose Gymnasium/Community building. With at least two other vacant spaces large enough for the new specialist school in the same region which are owned by the department it beggers belief that they are enforcing BMC to surrender this important school's land. Ballerrt Mooroop College is currently Melbourne's only Indigenous school with the important function of supporting Indigenous students who are disengaged with education.
Mr Gary Murray, spokesperson for BMC said that the mediation process didn't break down, but was process and outcomes were completely ignored by the Department. Their representatives sat in on the mediation which was led by the City of Moreland and it was agreed that the next step was a meeting with the Minister of Education, Martin Dixon. The Indigenous college had withdrawn their heritage applications in good faith of the process.
The entire adjoining parklands and oval were fenced off on Wednesday in a snap action by the contractors under the authority of VDEECD. Police and security guards arrived early in the morning to provide protection for the construction workers. VDEECD have employed security to patrol the area for 24 hours a day and a truck carrying a generator and lighting equipment arrived at the school on Wednesday afternoon.
Protesters have been warned that if they enter the park they will be charged with unlawful trespassing and were told that the contractors will be bringing construction equipment onto the site within the next few days.
People Power Wanted
The BMC community protest is still holding strong, despite extremely difficult conditions and uncertainty and they are calling for more community support to stop the outrageous injustice. To need to keep the momentum going BMC needs the support from a larger number of supporters at the daily blockade/sit-ins - starting at 6.00am.
For people unable to attend Blockade/Sit-in
For all supporters who cannot attend personally to support the college, donations of food or firewood would be greatly appreciated.
Emails and postal letter writing to the Minister would help greatly - even a brief strongly worded email would add to the weight of the protest. For more detailed letters you can find details for content by reading BMC letters and other content on the Save Ballerrt Mooroop website.
Email letters to: Hon Martin Dixon, Victorian Minister for Education - martin.dixon@parliament.vic.gov.au
