Tyler Redway
LAST week, the Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, Dr Roger Thomas, visited the Limestone Coast to discuss with communities a commitment made by the State Government to create statues and monuments dedicated to Aboriginal people of significance.
Mr Thomas said he was commissioned by the State Government to engage with the Aboriginal community across South Australia regarding the initiative which was “effectively about celebrating Aboriginal achievements”.
“It’s in the context that I’ve come here to have a conversation regarding statues and monuments so I’m visiting all regional centres where there is an Aboriginal population,” Mr Thomas said.
“The attorney has also asked me to meet with local government councils because when there is a statue or monument, you have to get planning approval.”
Mr Thomas said bringing local councils on board would allow them to be in a collaborative and sharing relationship with any monuments established in various locations.
He also added that he was not here to decide where exactly to put monuments and which ones there were going to be and was leaving it to the voice of the community.
“It goes on to ask the question about monuments and whether people support it and if they do, then do they have any suggestions or recommendations on who might be a worthy candidate in their particular community?” he said.
“In the broader context there could be someone on the state level you believe should be recognised through this initiative.”
Mr Thomas said he would present a report with all recommendations and candidates, which would then be considered and decided upon by the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Kyam Maher.
“At the local levels, I have been finding people have had their own heroes who they believe have contributed at a very significant level and they have expressed their aspiration to nominate them and have a change in the landscape,” he said.
“Most of the statues that are around not only South Australia, but also nation-wide, there are very few who are Aboriginal or Torres-Strait Islander but this initiative sets out to change that.
“It serves a purpose of providing an education about the past, the contribution and also it lends itself to the key parts of our understanding of our own history.”
Burrandies Corporation chief executive and descendant of the Bunganditj Nation Robyn Campbell said the consultation visit was also attended by local Bunganditj Nation elders and community leaders from the Limestone Coast region.
“Information was presented to us on the South Australia’s initiative to celebrate the achievements of South Australian Aboriginal leaders and heroes with examples of existing statues and monuments,” Ms Campbell said.
“We expressed our desire to have a monument to recognise the contribution of our Aboriginal local heroes and leaders past and present which could be ongoing and added to recognise their achievements.”
She added further discussion then led into the topic of decolonising current monuments with an ultimate goal of to have an Aboriginal Cultural Interpretive Centre and Keeping Place in the South East.
“This would give our community a great sense of pride, to acknowledge and respect our rich cultural history, our peoples’ achievements and to recognise Aboriginal people as the First Nations People of this region,” she said.
“This is a goal of our past and present elders which we need to keep advocating for.”
Members of the public can have their opinion heard by the commission on the YourSAy website, or by freecalling 1800 931 733.
