THE profile of Aboriginal reconciliation will receive a boost in Western Australia thanks to an innovative marketing strategy launched by the State Government to be supported by major industry players.
BHP Billiton Iron Ore is the first corporate supporter of the scheme, which will involve the display of a universal logo on projects that meet Department of Indigenous Affairs criteria.
Businesses, government agencies and community groups are now able to display the ENRICH brand, which stands for Encouraging Reconciliation through Indigenous Culture and Heritage.
Organisations wishing to display the logo will be assessed by the Department based on their commitment to the reconciliation process.
“A lot of companies do something about the issue, but not a lot of people know about it. This is a good way of raising the profile of aboriginal reconciliation by bringing the department’s various education, awareness and funding initiatives under one brand,” a department spokesperson said.
As an example, a project could employ a certain number of indigenous people in order to display the signature, the spokes-person said.
BHP Billiton spokesman John Crowley said the support followed on from the Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS) Schools Reconciliation Awards, which is partnership between the resources giant and the Department.
The launch of the marketing initiative coincides with the 10th Reconciliation Week, running this week, to commemorate the anniversaries of the 1967 referendum in which 90 per cent of Australians voted in favour of removing constitutional clauses discriminating against indigenous Australians, and the date the High Court of Australia handed down its verdict in the Eddie Mabo case.
Further information about ENRICH can be obtained from visiting the Department of Indigenous Affairs website at www.dia.wa.gov.au
Fremantle Heritage Festival 2005
On Sunday Fremantle came alive with events and activities showcasing the City’s diverse cultural, recreational, environmental and built heritage to launch the Fremantle Heritage Festival.
According to organisers, the festival, which runs until June 6, is a unique opportunity to see and hear about some of the amazing people and places that have helped shape Fremantle into the city it is today.
One initiative for this year’s Festival is the one day Fremantle Heritage Conference to be held on Friday June 3 at the Western Australian Maritime Museum.
The conference is open to the public to fulfil the vision of making heritage more accessible to the community.
Registration for this event is essential.
The Fremantle Heritage Awards will again be held in partnership with the Town of East Fremantle.
The awards support excellence in all aspects of heritage - building, conservation, preservation and restoration. Nominations will be on display in the Fremantle City Library from 27 May - 2 June.
In addition to the Heritage Awards and the Conference the Festival program is full of other events such as the “Dirt, Disease and Depravity” tour which explores the seedy side of Fremantle’s Bannister Street.
Free festival programs are available from Fremantle Library and Fremantle Cafes. For event information contact Fre Info on
9432 9888 or visit www.fremantlefestivals.com