Cirrus@Austlit

'Born an only child in North Queensland, Jack Huggins had an idyllic childhood in Ayr, where his family somehow escaped the harsh Queensland government treatment of  First Nations’ peoples. His father was in the army in World War I and Jack followed in his footsteps into World War II. He was captured by the Japanese in Singapore and spent much of the war on the notorious Burma-Thailand railway.

'The narrative and personal reflections give insight into love, loss and the need to understand one man’s journey, as seen through the eyes of his children seeking to learn more. It is an affectionate portrait and a moving account of courage in wartime which helps a reader understand the sacrifices made by our soldiers.'  (Publication summary)

'Let me begin by paying my respects to the Kaurna people of his land, the traditional owners, and acknowledge their living culture and unique role that they play in the life of the Adelaide region.' (Introduction)

'Alana speaks about her family; parenting; being an urban Aboriginal; working at AIATSIS and its future.'  (Publication summary)

'Linda Ford speaks about finishing her PhD in 2005; working as a senior lecturer at the University of Queensland; working to increase Indigenous student numbers with Queensland University of Technology; Indigenous ownership of Indigenous tertiary units; her PhD; negotiating with her mother about what Indigenous knowledge she could use in her PhD; her mother’s death in April 2007 from illness; working at Charles Darwin University; her concerns that other Indigenous students will not get the same educational opportunities she has had; her steep learning curve after graduation; her current role co-ordinating a unit on Indigenous Knowledge at UQ; lecturing and tutoring Indigenous and non-Indigenous students; her PhD thesis being examined by Indigenous scholars; the women in her family being very supportive of her PhD; Indigenous knowledge gaining attention from mainstream academia and Aboriginal communities; taking on her mother’s role being a senior figure in her clan; her daughters and the continuation of knowledge and culture; living in Brisbane; being committed to returning to Darwin eventually; the challenges of working for government in Darwin; the NT Intervention; her hopes for the future and for her children.' (Publication summary)

'Kerrie Tim speaks about her family; health; mourning; his career in the public service; how life has changed for Aboriginal Australians in the past 30 years; reforms in Indigenous Affairs; leadership program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women; the importance of education; the Remote Service Delivery program; the Apology; Race Discrimination Act; work life balance; her motivation; mind maps of Indigenous knowledge; models of communication; diversity and changes in Indigenous identities and demographics; pursuing her goals.'

'Aden Ridgeway talks about his previous interview; his family; Rugby League and football; the Maori Haka and an Australian equivalent; the national anthem; spending 6 years in public office; his work-life balance; the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC); inspirational young Indigenous people; how his world perspective is different to new generations because he grew up on a reserve; Bangarra Dance Company; running a consultancy business, facilitating community and corporation meetings; the Lion Nathan and Brewarrina community partnership; the aims of the Indigenous Social Investment Guide; hoping to establish a grants marketplace and tax credits program; preferring to work behind the scenes rather than be seen as a leader or re-enter politics.

'Ridgeway discusses the NT Intervention; the ATSIC model of representation; the next Indigenous generation; Australia's definition of identity; the possibility of doing Masters at Oxford University; to lead a delegation from the NSW Aboriginal Land Council at the next UN forum in New York, in April; the current focus of the forum is the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People; youth delegates from FaHCSIA's National Youth Leadership Development Initiative attending the forums; Megan Davis; how he regularly visits India over the last four years to detox; the need for more to be done to heal Indigenous peoples' spirits; Red Dust, a trauma-healing program for men; racism, consultation, community, identity; his personal philosophy.'  (Publication summary)

"Reconciliation is about two groups settling their differences so that they can move forward together. Reconciliation in Australia is about Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians learning from each other, understanding one another and building respectful relationships. It is also about taking an active part in working together.

Today in all areas of society, health, environment, schools, sport and the arts, peole are taking part in reconciliation. Through their programs and activites they are demonstrating 'reconciliation in action'.

In The Reconciliation Journey you will learn about the long road of reconciliation since the colonisation of Australia. Everyone has a role to play in reconciliation. Learning about Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives, and about Australia's shared history, is an important place to start."

(Source: Introduction. p.4)