Congress celebrates 50 years of service – of the people, for the people and by the Aboriginal people of Central Australia….

“Central Australian Aboriginal Congress was born on the 9th June 1973 – prior to then there was no major Aboriginal organization representing the rights and interest of Aboriginal people of Central Australia.” Neville Perkins

Neville Perkins caamapwphoto 2023

“I was going to Sydney Uni at the time and I was back here having a break and I could see that there was no organisation here representing the interests and rights of Aboriginal people.”

Hartley-street-clinic-1983- courtesy of CAAC

” It was amazing because the Aboriginal women were running the Congress Aboriginal Medical Service and they’re still doing it today and doing a great job… and that’s how it survived ! “

The late Dr Trevor Cutter was our first medical doctor … and he was a great doctor !

Dr Trevor Cutter(centre) with Neville Perkins…. photo copyright Paul Wiles Alice Springs

We had many-many clients, including non Indigenous clients that we were helping in Alice Springs!

Listen to interview with Neville Perkins here :

more to come….

CAAMA News 7-6-2023

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CAAMA Radio News June 7 – 2023

Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

  • The Federal Government has today released details of its justice re-investment programs in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities;
  • A meeting of the Northern and Central Land Council has passed a resolution with overwhelming support endorsing a call to all Australians to support a Voice to Parliament;
  • The Australian Indigenous Doctors Association has officially moved to back the Yes vote for the Voice To Parliament referendum;
  • Legendary Australian singer-songwriter PAUL KELLY is heading to Alice Springs this October to headline an exciting new event, The Warm-Up;
  • In sport….In cricket…Australian medium-fast bowler and Gulidjan man SCOTT BOLAND will be hoping for some great bowling figures when Australia faces India tonight in the final of the ICC World Test Championships.

CAAMA News 6-06-2023

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CAAMA Radio News June 6 – 2023

Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

  • The Territory Government has again lowered the cap on the number of pokie machines in Alice Springs, which now stands at 1659, down from 1699;
  • A group of past and present Liberal Party politicians have launched their campaign to support the Yes campaign for a Voice To Parliament, breaking away from the LNP’s position of supporting a No vote, which is lead by Opposition Leader PETER DUTTON;
  • The Coalition for Healthy Remotes Stores in the Northern Territory is calling for store owners to be supported, to improve the healthiness of stores in remote Aboriginal communities;
  • Central Australia will soon have access to free, and culturally appropriate mental health and wellbeing support;
  • In sport….Australian Rugby League Commission Chairman PETER V’LANDYS has revealed plans to expand the NRL competition, with a team from Papua New Guinea leading the race to become the code’s 18th team.

Warlpiri Dictionary…. sixty years in the making !

Warlpiri is spoken by Aboriginal people in the Tanami Desert region of the Northern Territory and in terms of number of speakers is one of the largest Aboriginal languages across the country.

Community members and Warlpiri speakers from Yuendumu, Willowra, Lajamanu, Nyirrpi and Alekarenge have contributed to the Warlpiri Dictionary which has been more than 50 years in the making.

With more than 500 illustrations, detailed flora and fauna information, colour photographs; and maps of Warlpiri country the dictionary is rich in Warlpiri history and cultural practices. The dictionary has an English word finder and a guide to Warlpiri grammar and is essential for both beginner and advanced speakers of Warlpiri, translators and interpreters or for anyone interested in learning more about Warlpiri language and culture.

Images by Bri Alexander

Linguist Mary Laughren research interests include Australian Aboriginal languages, language in education, lexicography and the semantic-syntactic interface. She is the editor of the Warlpiri-English encyclopedic dictionary and has played a key role in the documentation of the Walpiri Language with signiificant contributions to the understanding of song register and baby talk register.

Barbara Martin, Yamurna Oldfield and Tess Ross joined Floyd Doyle in the CAAMA studio to celebrate the launch of the Walpiri Dictionary.

Listen to the full interview here :

CAAMA News 5-06-2023

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CAAMA Radio News June 5 – 2023Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

  • ABC Veteran journalist KERRY O’BRIEN has told CAAMA Radio, the media’s coverage of the Voice To Parliament debate has been poor;
  • A new opinion poll has shown less than half of the voting public firmly support the Voice to Parliament;
  • Aboriginal people in Victoria have had their say in the State’s Treaty elections as voting closed on Saturday night;
  •  Remote Aboriginal community Mount Liebig is continuing to lead the way in the move to be the Territory’s tidiest town;
  • The World Solar Car Challenge will return to the Northern Territory in October this year after a four-year absence.

Kerry O’Brien talks with CAAMA about the changing face of media….

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Kerry O’Brien  has been described as  a “giant of Australian journalism” and is  probably best remembered for his  incisive interviewing style on ABC television with both The 7.30 Report and Four Corners .

Kerry, who is the recipient of six Walkley Awards for excellence in journalism including the Gold Walkley, and the Walkley for Outstanding Leadership, has been a role model for generations of broadcast journalists.

Career Highlights

2010-2015Presenter/Interviewer Four Corners ABC TV
2015Author “Keating”, publisher Allen & Unwin
2013Feature interviews with Paul Keating (four-part series) and Clive James
1995-2010Editor and presenter/interviewer National 7.30 Report (ABC TV)
1990-1995First presenter/interviewer Lateline (ABC TV)
1993-1994Political columnist Time magazine
1988-1989Political Editor Ten Network.
1988-1989Founder & presenter Face To Face (Ten Network).
1987Political Correspondent (ABCTV)
1985-1986Senior Reporter Four Corners (ABC TV)
1983-1984First US Correspondent (Seven Network)
1975-1977Senior Reporter Four Corners (ABC TV)
1972-1975Senior Reporter Australia’s first daily current affairs program This Day Tonight (ABC TV)

“The traditional models of mainstream media have been completely turned upside down by social media, by the internet and what has followed !”

Kerry O’Brien chats with Floyd Doyle in the CAAMA Studio caamapwphoto 2023

“The internet has been used to spread misinformation, a flood of misinformation which is very difficult for mainstream journalism to deal with !”

“We cannot take democracy for granted.”

CAAMA radio’s Floyd Doyle caught up with Kerry to talk about how media has changed during his nearly fifty years in the profession...

Kerry O’Brien caamapwphoto 2023

L- R Floyd Doyle, Bruce Dennehy, Kerry O’Brien, David Liddle, Jack Orr.

NT Writers Festival 2023 is about storytelling and listening around the fire – and that’s a very unique feel!

Dave Clark is a writer-poet living in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) who works as a counsellor. In 2022 he was winner of the Northern Territory Literary Award (Poetry). Dave has works published in Bramble, Red Room Poetry, Mantissa, Grieve, Pure Slush, Swim Meet Lit and Raining Poetry to name a few. He is currently working on a memoir about how we cope with grief.

Dave Clark talks with Paul Wiles about the 2023 Writers Festival in Mparntwe Alice Springs. Listen here :

more to come …..

CAAMA News 1-06-2023

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CAAMA Radio News May 31 – 2023

Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

  • The Alice Springs community group fighting the increase in poker machines in the town’s pubs, clubs and casino is preparing to continue its battle now that the NT Government is lifting its ban on new machines;
  • Independent community action group Get Up hand Federal Minister for Environment and Water TANYA PLIBERSEK a 24500 signature petition against the Middle Arm gas hub on Larrakia country;
  • Mental health support group RUOK were in Alice Springs today, as they travel Central Australia to spread the message to prevent suicide and suicidal behaviour;
  •  Queensland have the chance to wrap up the State of Origin series in three weeks time at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane after defeating New South Wales on the neutral ground of Adelaide Oval last night.

“Its been very, very slow… and for me I haven’t noticed any progress! ” Valda Napurrula  Shannon talks about progress under the Barkly Regional Agreement.

In July 2018 the then Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, visited Tennant Creek where he announced a regional agreement would be worked on to increase social and economic opportunities in the area. Turnbull signed off on a statement of intent to invest $60 million as part of regional agreement, but five years later questions are being asked about what progress has been made!

“The community is saying they’ve been let let down big time -they have a big wish list.” – Valda Napurrula  Shannon

The Barkly Regional deal was signed in Tennant Creek by the Federal Government, the Northern Territory Government and the Barkly Regional Council to address social outcomes, productivity and child safety – but a local based community advisor and researcher says nothing significant has happened in the Barkly region to address ongoing community concerns… despite funding for the Barkly Regional deal.

Valda Napurrula  Shannon , a Walpiri/ Warumungu woman  who has lived and worked  in Ali Curung and Tennant Creek for the past 30 years shared her concerns with CAAMA’s Floyd Doyle…

Listen to the full interview here :

CAAMA News 31-05-2023

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CAAMA Radio News May 31 – 2023

Get in contact with the CAAMA newsroom: news@caama.com.au

CAAMA Radio produces two local news bulletins airing at 12pm and 5pm every weekday.

A full bulletin can also be heard online.

In this bulletin:

  • Legislation to set up the Voice to Parliament referendum, aiming at enshrining the Voice in the constitution, has this morning passed the House of Representatives;
  • Environmental group, The Friends of the Earth has published a report looking at drinking water quality in Northern Territory communities, covering the last 20 years;
  • Archaeologists at Flinders University in Adelaide have revealed evidence of pre-European contact between Top End Aboriginal communities and South-East Asian visitors;
  •  News South Wales go in as slight favourites with bookmakers against Queensland in tonight’s opening match of State of Origin on the neutral ground of Adelaide Oval.