In 2024, Australia will mark the 30th anniversary of the national recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders. This recognition was granted on August 25th, 1994, and will be celebrated on the same date in 2024. It is an important milestone for the community and a time to reflect on their history and contributions to Australian society.
Australian South Sea Islanders United Council Independent Rockhampton & District Inc.
RECOGNITION: WE ARE NOT THE FORGOTTEN PEOPLE
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​In partnership with the Rockhampton Museum of Art, our organisation was able to provide artefacts, photos, artwork, and historical information for this exhibition to celebrate ASSI recognition.
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Australian South Sea Islander United Council - Independant Rockhampton & District Inc hosted five events for ASSI recognition 2024 celebrations. Further information on each event can also be located in our newsletter.
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Members of Rockhampton Australian South Sea Islander community were fortunate enough to travel to Brisbane for the launch of the Say Our Name Exhibition which opened on Friday 23 August 2024.
Recognition: We Are Not the Forgotten People
Rockhampton Museum of Art
3 August 2024 - 01 September 2024
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In honour of the 30th anniversary of the Commonwealth's recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders as a distinct cultural group, Rockhampton Museum of Art and the Australian South Sea Islander United Council (Rockhampton) collaborated on a brief project titled "Recognition: We Are Not the Forgotten People".
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On display in the Margaret Olley Art Trust Collection Study Room throughout August, the works and objects in this exhibition describe the lived and layered experiences of South Sea Islanders in Central Queensland including two works by Aboriginal and South Sea Islander artists in the RMOA collection - Mabel Edmund and Daniel Boyd.
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This exhibition brings visibility to the art practices and cultural objects that exist within the Rockhampton South Sea Islander community. Adornments and artefacts retain generations of memories and memorialise the ongoing impacts of Australia's Blackbirding history (the practice of enslaving often by force and deception).
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South Sea Islander histories and experiences are part of the region and art spaces have rarely provided an opportunity for those silenced stories to be curated. "Recognition" is more than an accomplishment; it is a responsibility to never forget South Sea Islanders.
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Dr Melinda Mann {BBus (HRM), MLMgt, PhD}
First Nations Art Officer [Darumbal]
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The Australian South Sea Islander United Council - Independent Rockhampton & District Inc. would like to thank Earl Harbin and Sharon Vea Vea for assisting with the gatherin of items for the exhibition and for assisting with the installation.
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Thank you also to the ASSI families who provided items of significance for display.
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Aunty Monica Leo
Joanne and Kerry Warkill
Randall Warkill
Aunty Joy Williams
Uncle Dennis Youse
Cameron and Amanda Willie
Earl and Latoya Harbin
Uncle Butch Leo
Sharon Vea Vea
Fiona Nicholls
Aunty Sharon Mann
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Raeleen Willie
Secretary
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ELDERS TALK AND STORY SHARING
Thank you Dr Melinda Mann & RMOA staff for your space. Also for your considerate & delicate work to showcase our first ever month long ASSI Exhibition in this month of August.
Thank you Rae Willie for today & steering the questions for our Elders who shared of childhood memories from days of old when families had more than 10 children & lived in a tin shack with dirt floors...
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We heard of the very hard labour of our Elders & families... our Grandparents & Parents & Uncles & Aunties who worked at the Meatworks for many many years.
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In my own thoughts listening to this, made me think about similarities of the hard working & reliable seasonal workers who sacrifice big today & are called upon to journey out from theirs & ours, actual South Sea Pacific aelens to commence work programs here at the Meatworks for 3 years or more.
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We listened to some of our families who have worked 30 - 40 + years in the same jobs & they still work for the same place of employment. ​Today this is not as common to work that long for one employer.
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We heard a story about back in the old days when you gained a job from the reputation of your surname...sometimes that was the only way we could start work...
"not what you know but who you know."
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Myself, I read a piece by a white lady named Mildred Rogers whose family owned a property called 'Prospect' near Ross Creek area. She fondly wrote about my Mum's Grandmother, Bena Edmund & her family. An aelen woman who was held in very high regard. A woman of notable strength who worked tirelessly & honestly. A woman who sounded humourous. A woman who endured much because that's just what they did. That's what they had to do, to provide for & care for their large family. A woman who touched my heart & soul even today after being gone from this earth about 80 plus years ago...From Grandmother Bena & Grandfather Johnny Edmund stem many of their families & generations today.
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To end our morning gathering off today... as we do... we yarn eat cuppa laugh & remember how blessed we truly are...
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THANK YOU LORD FOR OUR CONTINUED BLESSINGS FROM THE ENDLESS & BACKBONE LOVE OF OUR PARENTS & GRANDPARENTS... OUR ELDERS... OUR ANCESTORS... OUR PEOPLE...
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Sharon Vea Vea
Publicity Officer
31.08.24
