NATIONAL TALK BLACK – 19/11/2025
On todays National Talk Black via NIRS – National Indigenous Radio Service we have:
Mackenzie and Matthew, Cunnamulla P-12 State School Students, and Tammy Hickey, Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health Operations Officer, talking about First Nations Kids from Cunnamulla write and illustrate their own book. First Nations kids aged 7-12 from Cunnamulla, a remote town in South West Queensland, around 800 kilometres west of Brisbane, have become first time authors. Launched this week, Outback Country is a collection of short stories published by The Indigenous Literacy Foundation (ILF). It was created in a workshop with ILF Ambassador Bianca Hunt and held during the school holidays at the Cunnamulla Aboriginal Corporation for Health (CACH). The workshop gave young authors the time, space and encouragement to share their stories – some grounded in reality with stories of fishing, being cold at the hot springs and others delightfully imaginative with kids vs Kong and Godzilla! There was also a visit from local Elder and celebrated author Herb Wharton. Herb discussed the importance of telling their stories, and to be brave as the next generation of authors, illustrators and storytellers. Outback Country offers a sincere and charming glimpse into the world of these kids in a small town in South West Queensland. You can find out more via the link below! (Photo Credit: The Indigenous Literacy Foundation)
https://www.ilf.org.au/…/cunnamulla-kids-create-new…
Professor Pat Dudgeon, UNSW 2025 Australian Mental Health Prize Winner (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander category), talking about A Decade of Recognition: 2025 Australian Mental Health Prize Winners Announced. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Australian Mental Health Prize, a decade of recognising Australians whose leadership, research, and lived experience have transformed how we understand and respond to mental health. Born and raised in Darwin and descended from the Bardi people of the Kimberley, Professor Pat Dudgeon is Australia’s first Aboriginal psychologist and a national leader in Indigenous mental health and suicide prevention. As Director of the Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention at the University of Western Australia, she has been instrumental in embedding cultural, strengths-based and lived experience perspectives into policy and services. She led the landmark Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention Evaluation Project (ATSISPEP), whose 2016 report Solutions That Work reframed national understanding of suicide prevention by centring Indigenous-led and culturally grounded responses. A founding chair of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association, her work continues to shape research, policy and frontline practice across Australia. Congratulations, Professor Pat! You can find out more via the link below! (Photo Credit: NIT)
https://www.australianmentalhealthprize.org.au
Melanie Harris, Austrade’s Head of Indigenous Engagement and Export, talking about Celebrating Trailblazers: First Nations Finalists for New National Export Award. For the first time in its 63-year history, Austrade’s Australian Export Awards has introduced a dedicated First Nations Exporter Award and its six finalists have been named. This landmark category was created to recognise that Australia’s First Nations traders were our first exporters — from trading with Makassan seafarers for generations to today’s global market. It celebrates their outstanding and growing contribution to international trade and the progress toward strong economic participation. The six successful finalists include: Aldridge Rail Group (NSW), Ikuntji Artists (NT), Jala Jala (VIC), Kirrikin (WA), Elephant in the Room Consulting (QLD) and Munda Wines (SA). You can find out more via the link below! (Photo Credit: austradeofficial)
https://www.austrade.gov.au/…/australian-export-awards…
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