Does age really matter?

My parents became Australian citizens way back in the 1950s.
Everybody in Australia came from somewhere else, except for
the First Nations People. They alone have always been
Australian, for 50,000 years they have peopled this continent,
enjoyed their own culture, and adhered to their beliefs.

When the First Fleet landed in Botany Bay in 1788, there were
250 distinct languages and 800 dialects. Since then, over 100
have been lost.

The relationship between of the First Nations to subsequent
Australians has been an unhappy one. Between 1788 and 1900,
genocide , the introduction of European diseases,
dispossession, subjugation, and segregation reduced the
Indigenous population by 90 per cent.

From 1901 until 1972, the White Australian Policy was the
official policy for immigration. Between 1910 and 1969,
over 100,000 Aboriginal children were forcibly removed from
their families.

It's a miserable record and the damage it's done to the country
is far reaching and so very sad. But little by little - there
is a shift, slow as it may be, but there is a shift - and a
realization that you can't treat people like that. That it can't
be allowed. The fate of Australia's First Nations People is a
big stain on Australia.

This is where all the mateship claims - the sweetness and light
and friendliness gets seen in a different light. And what's left
is a poverty-stricken , miserable rabble that nobody takes
any notice of - seemingly has any respect for.

They have a culture far older than ours. We need to remember
that and they were here first long before we turned up. We
can learn more about them - because a healthy society is afterall
an inclusive one.

Age does matter it seems.

We can learn from acknowledging things -
especially knowledge - and dodge the spitballs.

Hi Paul,

The Art-By-Description on-site tour of the National Gallery
of Victoria - returns for a second live audio-described
tour - and this time it's a tour of Vincent Namatjira:
Australia in Colour.

As you probably know Namatjira's paintings are a satirical
chronicle of Australian identity from a contemporary
perspective.

This social tour is designed for participants who have either
low-vision or are blind and it fascillitates shared discussion
and uses tactile resources.

The National Gallery does this each month - where you can
join a small live descriptive tour of major exhibitions or
individual works of art in the National Gallery's
collection.

Anyone interested can ring - Adriane - 6240-6632 and make a
booking. A great way to get involved and enjoy art. - getting
out is good for you.

The Ian Potter Centre, National Gallery Victoria, in
Federation Square here in Melbourne has free entry today to
events, exhibitions, art, dance..

People can explore First Nations People's culture through
virtual events and on site work-shops.

There's also 25 stalls showcasing cultural objects, craft,
design, fashion, jewelery, gifts, and more.

Plus there's an Elders Lounge and free drop-in workshops.
All very exciting - and a marvellous way to begin a relaxing
week-end and the end to the school-holidays.

There's more at:

http://ngv.vic.gov.au/naidoc-week-celebration/

It is a toss up as to which people are the more childish: the few who call people names based on race, or those who keep banging on about the 'racists', who are actually as scarce as hen's teeth in Australia, and not worth the attention they are given by the virtue-signallers banging on about them.