REFLECTIONS ON NAIDOC WEEK - A TIME FOR CELEBRATION AND SHARING

NAIDOC Week offers the chance for all Australians to celebrate and reflect upon the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC or National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee celebrations are held across the country in the first full week in July.

Fifty years on from its inception the need today to spread its central message of tolerance and diversity is never more significant. On a practical and personal level for Veronica “Lani” Barnett, Melbourne Museum employee and CPSU’s Indigenous Branch Section active member, this annual Week gives her an opportunity to honor the people of the Wurundjeri and Kulin nations – the traditional custodians of the land where the museum now stands.

Lani has now the opportunity to educate others of Indigenous culture, ensuring that stories live on.

“Sharing Indigenous knowledge is important to me; I feel the need to pass on knowledge so it’s never lost. And for me, NAIDOC week brings this into focus.”

“It’s about respecting the past and the future. Respecting our culture and sharing it with others.”

Veronica, of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, was born in Babinda, North Queensland. Her grandmother on her father’s side was from Bamaga, on the Cape York Peninsula, and her mother’s heritage was Thursday Islander.

After living what she calls a “more traditional life” until she was twenty years old, she has now been living in “the South” for forty years after a fateful encounter with now husband Brian Barnett, a fellow snake enthusiast.

Along with other CPSU members of our Indigenous Branch Section, Veronica attended Melbourne’s peaceful march though Fitzroy to Federation Square as part of NAIDOC celebrations.

“I think it’s important to remind ourselves that a treaty was never signed here,” she says.

 “It’s also important to remember that Indigenous and non- Indigenous people can work together and do so every day.”

For many years now Veronica has been an active participant of the union’s Indigenous section which aims to provide a stronger voice for workers within the Victorian public service.

It promotes cooperation and tolerance between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike.

Despite some prejudice directed her way in various forms over the years, she’s not one to hold a grudge against others and is grateful for the changes in attitudes over the years – and remains optimistic about the future.

“My husband is not Indigenous and when we got together, in the 60s, walking down the street…” she pauses, “well let’s just say there were a lot of odd looks that came our way” she says and smiles.

“Thankfully this isn’t so much the case today. I know some people are very angry about the way they’ve been treated but that approach isn’t for me,” she declares.

Veronica says her role as a Customer Museum Officer at Melbourne Museum gives her opportunities to impart her knowledge to those from all walks of life.

Veronica is also a celebrated painter in her own right and her works have been selected for inclusion in major exhibitions including the “Respect for Elders” exhibition at RMIT University recently.

“Being asked to design something for the union was an honour,” she says. CPSU members can see her original designs featured in our Indigenous Branch Section brochure.

“In addition to my art, which for me is about telling our stories, I’m just really proud to be part of what CPSU does for Indigenous members and I encourage non-members working in the public service to join and get involved.”

CPSU’s has an Indigenous Network who can be contacted at enquiry@cpsuvic.org or by calling 9639 1822 or for more information go to www.cpsuvic.org.