The Mission

First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing is a dynamic Aboriginal community-controlled health service aiming to improve access to affordable primary health care in urban Melbourne. Wamba Wamba woman and Chief Executive Officer at First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing Karinda Taylor talks about how the Aboriginal community has been coping in a few Melbourne COVID hotspots. With presenter Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Lee-Anne Carter, Statewide Community Justice Programs Leader at Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, talks about the Federal Court case that has been launched against the Morrison Government, seeking fair and equal access to the Age Pension for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and Wuthathi descendent and CEO of The Healing Foundation Fiona Cornforth talks about the importance of access to information for Stolen Generations survivors. With presenter Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Proud Wirlomin-Noongar woman and author Claire G. Coleman talks about her new book ‘Lies, Damned Lies: A Personal Exploration of the Impact of Colonisation’, a book taking the reader on a journey through the past, present and future; and Muruwari and Gomeroi man and investigative journalist and filmmaker Allan Clarke talks about his documentary ‘The Bowraville Murders’, which is screening on SBS, and shines a light on a case that has left many in Bowraville disillusioned and enraged with the justice system. With presenter Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Presenter, producer, and journalist Karla Grant talks about the situation surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak in Wilcannia, as well as her report on the situation for 'Living Black'; and Torres Strait Islander man and author Thomas Mayor talks about his new book ‘Dear Son’, sharing heartfelt letters written by First Nations men about life, masculinity, love, culture and racism. With presenter Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Brendan Kennedy, Tatti Tatti man and delegate for Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN), talks about the impact of mismanagement and inaction on the rivers, explaining the significance of the rivers to the Aboriginal community, cultural flows research, and the impact of the Victorian Government’s withholding of monetary resources and lack of action; and Paul Paton, Gunnai, Monaro and Gunditjmara man and CEO of the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations (FVTOC) talks about the new Victorian Traditional Owner Cultural Landscapes Strategy, which provides a framework and tangible actions, underpinning the work by the Department of Environmental Land and Water on future forests and parks management, as well as strengthening Traditional Owner nation resilience. With presenter Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Shannon Drake, Proud Wamba Wamba/Jaara woman and Executive Manager of Health and Wellbeing at the Rumbalara Aboriginal Cooperative in Shepparton, talks about the positive response from the local Indigenous community regarding the recent virus outbreak. Shannon talks about the operations at Rumbalara, touching on the holistic approach to services that the organization provides. And Steven Clarke, Proud Arabana and Erawirung man, talks about his role as Centre Manager of the new Dilin Duwa Centre for Indigenous Business Leadership at the University of Melbourne, a home for education, engagement and research to support the self-determined growth of Indigenous businesspeople, companies and communities around the country. With presenter Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Gunnai-Gunditjmara woman, and Senator representing the Australians Greens, Lidia Thorpe, talks about the realities of the most recent ‘Closing the Gap’ report, as well as her experience as a Senator in Canberra. Senator Thorpe also discusses the Victorian Government’s Twelve Apostles offshore drilling plans; and Lionel Austin, Manager of the Preventative Health Unit at the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) provides an insight into the Covid-19 vaccine rollout for Aboriginal communities. For any Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people wanting to get vaccinated through VAHS, call 03 9419 3000 to contact the Fitzroy clinic, and 03 8592 3902 to contact the Epping clinic.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Description: Palawa woman and artist Thelma Beeton talks about her artwork featured in Banj Banj/nawnta, an exhibition presented by The Torch at Counihan Gallery. Thelma talks about the meaning behind her artwork, as well as her connection with her best friend Stacey; and Tiriki Onus, Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung artist, filmmaker, academic, and Head of the Wilin Centre for Indigenous Arts and Cultural Development at the Faculty of Fine Arts and Music at the University of Melbourne, talks about his documentary Ablaze, which is screening at the Melbourne International Film Festival, and explores the life of his grandfather, civil rights activist and filmmaker Bill Onus. With presenter Vanessa Morris filling in for Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

Proud Wiradjuri woman, author, activist, and social commentator Professor Anita Heiss discusses her new novel Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams, with presenter Daniel James. In this special long-form interview, Anita also discusses the surge of new writing by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors, and the place that First Nations writing now holds in the cultural landscape.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission

SNAICC CEO and Arrernte/Luritja woman Catherine Liddle, talks about the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, which is coming up on 4th August; and Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Warung artist Jandamarra Cadd discusses collaborating on the statue of Nova Peris, which is currently on display at Federation Square. With presenter Vanessa Morris, filling in for Daniel James.

Website: https://www.rrr.org.au/explore/programs/the-mission