Welcome
RIG Network is a national, cross-sectoral networking, research and outreach initiative. We link people, projects and resources to support better practice and undertake projects to help build better local food production initiatives that can deliver social, health and economic benefits to remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Keep up to date and show your support by signing up to our monthly newsletter in the sidebar
Sustainable development is a recurring theme in this edition of RIG News, our bi-monthly newsletter, that features:
- News from the second North Australian Indigenous Experts Forum on Sustainable Economic Development that was held last week
- An update from the forthcoming World Indigenous Network Conference that will be held in Darwin in late May
- The launch of the Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledges and Education
- The EduGrow School Garden Awards 2013
- Garden stories from East Arnhem and from the Mount Molloy Kitchen Gardeners and Seed Savers Group
- Gardening tips on compost and green waste, and
- Coming events and conferences and other news from around the Network
To read RIG News – April edition CLICK HERE or visit the RIG News page for the current and past editions.
The 2013 Awards are underway!
For more information, visit the EduGrow School Garden Awards 2013 page.
Welcome to the first edition of RIG News for 2013.
It’s a bit of a bumper edition to kick things off, after what has been such a challenging hot summer and dry wet season for so many people.
As it’s the first for the year, we’ve rejigged the order of things. It’s a bit ‘long’ but there’s a lot coming up in 2013 we thought you’d like to know about now….
- Leading off, is a listing of coming events from within the Network and from across the nation that relate to food, health and social and economic development on country. For your information and possibly for your diary?
- We welcome two new RIG Partner Organisations – the Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association (TEABBA) and Nutrition Plus Ltd
- Include some really useful new gardening and garden design resources you can download from the Gardening Resources page on the RIG website (see new pages under ‘Resources’).
- And saving the best for last, technical tips, advice and inspiration for central Australian and top end gardens, respectively, from gardening gurus Geoff Miers and Leonie Norrington. Many thanks Geoff and Leonie for your stories – Technical Tips that we aim to include as regular features this year.
Click HERE to READ RIG News.
RIG Network aims to support people in remote communities who want to grow food for better health, wealth and wellbeing. We share information, facilitate partnerships and initiate projects to help build local skills and capacity.
Our core programs are: 1. Network communications and information sharing, and 2. Strategic research, advocacy and partnership projects.
I hope you find something interesting or useful in this edition, and as always, welcome your feedback and suggestions for future editions. Cheers, Anthea
JCU are hosting a Sustainability Symposium and Fair ‘How can we live and eat sustainably in the tropics?’ on Friday March 8.
For more information and the full program vist the Coming Events page.
A special welcome two great new Partner Organisations to RIG’s ‘network’ in 2013
The Top End Aboriginal Bush Broadcasting Association (TEABBA)
TEABBA was In-corporated, 10th October 1989, and is a Remote Indigenous Media Organisation (RIMO) with 28 remote Indigenous communities across the Top End of Australia within the Northern Territory. TEABBA provides support with technical concerns for these communities, and their radio and even some television services. TEABBA, also plays an active role with broadcast training workshops within this footprint. TEABBA broadcasts daily, with information segments and interviews that are relevant to the remote community issues such as Health, Education, consumer affairs, news, weather and sports etc. During the dry season TEABBA gets out to as many music, arts, sports and culture festivals as possible. So we can share all of the highlights, across the TEABBA Network and to other Indigenous Media Networks across Australia. TEABBA has strong and stable membership from these communities, therefore have proud and proactive Board members to represent the Organisation. Visit: www.teabba.com.au
Nutrition Plus Ltd
Nutrition Plus “builds healthy futures with Aboriginal children” in partnership with schools and their community. The “grass-roots” programs vary widely depending on the needs and interest of teachers and the community but include dietary supplementation with Juice Plus+® products (www.juiceplus.com.au), school fruit, veggie and bush-tucker gardens, bush walks to collect bush-tucker and seeds for planting, cooking lessons, integration of the garden in to school curriculum, use of produce in breakfast and lunch programs, provision of outdoor kitchens and meeting places with fire pit, and health checks on children. We see a great alignment between Nutrition Plus and RIG and can see opportunity to deliver joint projects together with communities interested in long-term improved nutrition. Visit: www.nutritionplus.org.au
Feb 13 – 5 Years since the Apology, A Day of Celebration – Progress to Recognise Australia’s First Peoples in the Constitution!
Five years on since the National Apology, celebration today as the Commonwealth Government has passed an Act that provides recognition and a pathway toward Constitutional Reform!!!
Indigenous Minister Jenny Macklin explained the task in her contribution.
This legislation is only the first step.
“With support across the Parliament for this Act of Recognition, we continue to build the momentum we need for successful constitutional change.
We do not intend the Act to be a substitute for constitutional reform.
To maintain momentum towards a successful referendum, a sunset provision in the Bill limits the effect of the Act to two years. Speaker, we expect this will also provide an impetus for a future Parliament to assess how the campaign for change is travelling, and the appropriate timing for a successful referendum.
The Bill also provides for a review to consider and advise a future Parliament on proposals to submit to a referendum, taking into account the valuable work that has been done by the Expert Panel.
We know that legislation is not the appropriate forum to make all the changes we want to see.
These changes must ultimately be made in our nation’s foundation document.”
To read more and see live coverage from Parliament visit:
It’s that time of year, and I’ve just received news about two great new positions from RIG subscribers who’ve asked us to help spread the word…
Community Development Officer, Tennant Creek – to support Red Cross Food Security Programs.
Applications close 29th January
“Working with a committed team you will engage with communities to identify strengths and activities to improve nutrition through community development projects. To succeed in this outstanding position, you will hold knowledge and expertise in community development and engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, a firm understanding of cultural awareness and be capable of developing and fostering relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.
For further information, please visit the Red Cross careers page at
http://www.redcross.org.au/files/Community_Development_Officer_Tennant_Creek.pdf
The Foundation for Young Australians – Young Indigenous Leadership Program
A new and exciting role that is now being advertised for the IMPACT program – Applications due Monday February 4 2013.
The Young Indigenous Leadership Program – IMPACT is seeking a part-time (3 days per week), energetic and passionate Engagement Officer responsible for the engagement, facilitation and day to day management of students in the IMPACT program.
The IMPACT program aims to build a community of young Indigenous students to help foster their skills in leadership, contribution to community and future pathways. IMPACT encourages the development of confident, self-aware and resilient young people who contribute in positive ways to their communities. The program works with students in year 10 – year 12 from schools across Darwin region, Katherine and Alice Springs. IMPACT is run by The Foundation for Young Australians in partnership with the NT Department of Education and Children’s Services.
The IMPACT Engagement Officer will be responsible for the day to day communication with IMPACT students and their families, to maintain strong relationships with schools, will facilitate workshops and residential programs, coordinate and supervise students during IMPACT program activities and be a positive role model and mentor to the students.
Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
For further information about the IMPACT program, please visit http://www.fya.org.au/initiatives/impact
Please CLICK HERE to read the Position Description for further information and application process.
Wishing everyone happy and safe holidays
Welcome to the last edition of RIG News for 2012 – click here to read online
Features include:
- News from the Torres Strait: The Yam Island Community Garden, Thursday Island’s ‘donut gardens’ growing on the verge …
- Mount View Station, WA, first wheat harvest
- Major new report launched – A Contributing Life: the 2012 National Report Card on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
- Coming Events
- Celebratory snapshots from the year that’s been…
With warm thanks to everyone who has contributed to RIG News in 2012, and wishing all our readers happy and safe holidays and a happy new year.
Pictured Below: Bill and William Mallard, of Mt View Station, with Bob Vinson (centre), from the Department of Agriculture and Food’s Indigenous Landholder Service, look over a wheat crop ready for harvesting. (Image courtesy Department of Agriculture and Food, Government of Western Australia).
RIG News – October 2012
Challenging times and with National Mental Health Week just passed, time for some ‘healing’ garden and other good news…CLICK HERE to access directly or visit the Useful Resources page for current and past editions.
Featured in this edition:
- Opening Celebrations – The Banatjari Bush Medicine Bush Tucker Garden, Katherine Region
- Mununjali’s placemaking healing garden grows from good community planning, design and ‘hardscaping’, Beaudesert QLD
- NT Gardens Website launched, mapping school and community gardens across the top end of the NT
- Regional enterprise and business development, The Murri Munchies alliance, Wide Bay/Burnett Region, QLD.
- News from around the Network, the Central Australia Sustainable Food Network and more….
