Yarnin’ Together – Cairns
Yarnin’ together about discrimination and racism
Yarnin’ together is about getting everyone together to be part of the conversation about discrimination, racism, reconciliation and related issues. You’re invited to join Reconciliation Queensland for a question and answer style panel discussion on these important issues.
Building a Stronger Community
This event is the first in a series of only five regional events around Queensland. It is modelled on Reconciliation Queensland’s very successful panel discussion on racial discrimination at Arana Leagues Club (Brisbane) on Australia Day / Survival Day (Jan 26) 2017.
Panellists include:
Kevin Cocks AM
Kevin Cocks AM is a highly respected human rights and disabilities advocate. Kevin commenced an initial four year appointment as Queensland’s Anti-Discrimination Commissioner in February 2011. He was reappointed for an additional 12 months in December 2014 and in December 2015 was reappointed for a final term of two years. His contract as Commissioner will end on 5 February 2018.
Kevin holds a Master of Social Welfare, Administration & Planning from the University of Queensland.
Kevin has received a number of Community Recognition awards, including an Order of Australia (AM) in 2010 for promotion of Human Rights for people with a disability in Australia, the Australian Human Rights Medal 2005 by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC), the Centenary Medal ‘for distinguished service to disability services in Queensland’ in 2003 and a QUT award ‘the Humanities and Human Services Outstanding Alumni Award’ in 2003. This award recognises the contribution of exceptional professional achievement and contribution to the community at Local, State, National and International level.
Aunty Flo Watson OAM
Liz Bond
Liz Bond is the Coordinator of the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Unit at the Anti-Discrimination Commission Queensland and has been in that role for the past 13 years. For 6 years prior to her taking up the role of Coordinator, Liz was the Commission’s Senior Indigenous Conciliator.
Liz’s traditional connections are to South-east Queensland (Jaggera, Kabi Kabi, Waka Waka and Wuli Wuli) where she has been actively involved with her local community of Brisbane. Liz has a Bachelor of Arts from University of Queensland in Political Science and History and has worked in the public sector for 35 years.
Other panel members include:
- Mark Yettica-Paulson
Recognise Campaign Director - Associate Professor Henrietta Marrie
Office of Indigenous Engagement, Cairns campus of the Central Queensland University - Kesa Strieby
President of the Cairns and Region Multicultural Association Inc. - Dr Felecia Watkin Lui
Senior Lecturer and the Director of Research Training at Indigenous Australian Studies, James Cook University, Cairns
Guest Speakers
Liz Bond, Coordinator of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Unit, ADCQ, and Nathan Williams of Cairns Regional Council will speak on the topic of: ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Timelines’.
Also, Recognise Campaign Director Mark Yettica-Paulson will speak on the topic of: ‘Recognise: Where to now?’
Entertainment provided by One Blood Dancers
The dance group is made up of dancers from different clan groups with their connection to Cairns. They have over 15 years’ experience in Aboriginal cultural performance both locally and abroad. Their dance performance range from a variety of aspects of an Aboriginal way of life here in Far North Queensland.
Saturday, 9 September 2017, from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
at Cairns Regional Council Civic Reception Room
Ground Floor, 119-145 Spence Street, Cairns
Download an event flyer here.
Entry to Yarnin’ Together is free, but donations gratefully received. Refreshments and afternoon tea will be available.
RSVP: To register your place, please email events@rqi.org.au