Warlpiri man Damien Loizou recently gave a talk at the Bacchus Marsh library about issues confronting Aboriginal people.
He speaks with Sumeyya Ilanbey about the achievements of Aboriginal people and the importance of NAIDOC Week.
What’s your connection to Melton?
I moved to Melton from the Northern Territory almost six years ago now.
Interestingly, it wasn’t until I met other local Aboriginal community members here in Melton that I discovered family connections with Aboriginal family groups in Victoria.
I have an arm’s length list of coincidences with connections with the people I have met in Melton – strange to outright bizarre.
What’s your favourite thing about living in Melton?
It reminds me of Darwin where I was born, with all the modern utilities and easy commuting and access.
The big difference is it’s not in the tropics and Darwin doesn’t have a metropolis down the road.
What would you change about the area if you could?
Absolutely nothing.
Where’s your favourite place to hang out in Melton?
Melton Wave Pool, Navan Park with my son, and the Melton cinema.
What does NAIDOC Week mean to you?
NAIDOC is an opportunity for all the community to appreciate that for a population of only 500,000 people worldwide, Aboriginal Australians have produced a Wimbledon champion, world boxing titleholders, the recipient of a US presidential citation, a TV anchor on CNN and an inductee into the international rugby hall of fame.
No other human beings travelled as far south as Aboriginal people did.
Aboriginal people were the first to develop maps and make bread.
Our medicinal understanding of native plants influenced the development of penicillin.
We were only considered citizens of our country of origin in 1967.
I have mentioned just a snippet of information – we have a lot to be recognised for and be proud of.
How important are NAIDOC Week celebrations to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people?
Without a doubt, NAIDOC is the single most important calendar event for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
It’s an opportunity to remember and to be recognised as a very special group of Australians who have survived and have witnessed the very best and worst of what the mother country has provided us.
Do you think Australia has come a long way in recognising the first peoples and their rights?
I think in terms of the number of people who now identify as Aboriginal, yes.
