29 May 1998

Ms Ann Henderson MLC
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
Pakington Street
Geelong VIC 3220

re: Regionalisation of Aboriginal Cultural and Heritage Officer's Positions

Dear Minister,

It has come to the attention of the Geelong Community Forum that the existing twenty four Aboriginal Cultural and Heritage Officers and their twenty four regions, across the state, are to be "down-sized" to five regions, as of the 30th June 1998.

We wish to express our deepest concern that the Cultural and Heritage Officers are being disempowered by the imposition of European law rather than respecting the Aboriginal cultural boundaries. The new boundaries appear to violate Aboriginal protocol in regard to the maintenance and protection of the various boundaries.

Cultural and Heritage Officers, in conjunction with the wider Aboriginal communities, are being subjected to changes in cultural boundaries without regard for their cultural differences. The disregard for the traditional boundaries of the various cultures has the potential to act as a tool to further fragment these communities. The aim of the cultural heritage program should be to unite all Aboriginal cultures appropriately, whilst respecting their individual differences.

In light of the spirit of the successful National Sorry Day (26/5/98), drawn together by the Geelong City Council, the Wathaurong Co-operative, Geelong Reconciliation - One Fire Group, the Queenscliff Reconciliation Group, Geelong Catholic and Uniting Churches and the people of Geelong, we strongly protest such further attempts to demean and alienate Aboriginal peoples via bureaucratic insensitivities.

Copies of this letter have been forwarded to the Shadow Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposition on the Scrutiny of Government, and also the Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. We urgently request further information and clarification of this issue.

Yours sincerely,

Serena O'Meley
Geelong Community Forum