Reconciliation News December 2013

We’ve devoted this edition of Reconciliation News to the arts.

The thoughtful voice of film director Rachel Perkins whose work includes First Australians, Mabo and Redfern Now comes through clearly as she reveals her passion for filmmaking.

In this edition, you’ll read about:

  • The Aria-winning team of Mark Grose and Michael Hohnen, directors of Skinnyfish, who are the driving force behind the amazing musical success of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and many other Indigenous artists
  • Riding the Black Cockatoo, an uplifting story of one man’s emotional reconciliation journey that profoundly alters the course of his life
  • Children’s author John Danalis’s frank interview about his interface with Aboriginal culture really touches the heart
  • Alison Page’s informative article on her Saltwater Freshwater Arts Alliance shows how a great idea coupled with community support and cooperation can invigorate an entire region
  • Black Diggers, which held its world premiere at the Sydney Festival. Featuring an all-Aboriginal cast, Black Diggers is the 100-year-old untold story of Aboriginal soldiers who fought for their country in World War I, despite not even being regarded as Australians by the government of the time.
Cover of Reconciliation News Magazine December 2013.

Reconciliation News, December 2013

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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