1990

Partnership in Education-Koorie Education Policy

In 1990, Joan Kirner, the Victorian Minister of Education and Mary Atkinson, President of VAEAI, signed a partnership agreement. This partnership committed the Victorian Government to the implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy.

The principles and goals of the Policy Statement were adopted by the Victorian Ministry of Education Policy on Koorie Education and provided the framework for cross-sectoral co-ordination of Koorie Education Services from May 1990.

The development of a supportive and culturally relevant learning environment at all levels of education, from pre-school to tertiary, was identified as an important factor in achieving increased participation by Koorie students in the pre-school and post compulsory years of education. Participation in decision making was seen to be critical to increasing the involvement of Koorie families in the education process and the subsequent social and economic development of their communities.

The Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Inc. (VAEAI) is now recognised by the Victorian Department of Education as the primary source of policy advice to the Minister of Education on all matters pertaining to Koorie Education.

The Koorie Education Co-ordination Unit/ Koorie Education Development Unit:

As a result of the years of negotiation between the Aboriginal community through the Victorian Aboriginal Education Consultative Group, Aboriginal Education Services, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated, and the Department of Education, in 1990, the Education Department formalised its relationship with the Koorie community, when Joan Kirner and Mary Atkinson signed the Partnership in Education agreement. The Aboriginal Education Services became the Koorie Education Co-ordination Unit and then in 1997, under the Koorie 2000 Strategy, it became the Koorie Education Development Unit. It is now the Koorie Education Development Unit, with Angela Singh as the Manager.

Community Based Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) Course

The Community Based Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood) Course, through the University of Melbourne was offered as a community off campus based course in 1990 in Echuca and Shepparton. There were 6 graduates from Shepparton including Joanne Atkinson, Jane Atkinson, Renai Dean, Felicia Dean, Sharon Jones and Valmai Baldwin. There were also five graduates from Echuca, including Vicki Mitchell, Jenny Mitchell, Janet Egan, and Debbie Cowley.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Commission.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Commission was established in 1990 under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 1989, and the Department of Aboriginal Affairs (DAA) was abolished. ATSIC is Australia's national policymaking and service delivery agency for Indigenous people. The aim of the establishment of ATSIC was to embody the principle of Indigenous self-determination because for the first time Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members were elected onto the decision making body for Aboriginal Affairs in Australia. ATSIC is the principal agency in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs portfolio, having 35 Regional Councils and 18 Board of Commissioners who are all Indigenous elected representatives who have power over decision making on policy and funding. The elected arm is supported by an administration of public servants. ATSIC's vision is to see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people exercising their legal, economic, social, cultural and political rights.

1991

Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody

The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody was set up in 1987 to respond to the public outcry over the number of deaths in custody of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The Royal Commission investigated 99 deaths that occurred between 1980 and 1989, and the underlying social, cultural and legal issues surrounding these deaths. The report was released in 1991 with 339 recommendations that covered all aspects of life for Indigenous people in Australia. "In investigating many of the deaths in custody, the Royal Commission noted that the formal education system, child welfare practices, juvenile justice, health and employment opportunities are inextricably linked to the disproportionate representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in custody." (Commonwealth of Australia: 1992). "Of the three hundred recommendations, the most important were aimed at addressing the over-representation of Aboriginal people in custody, the need to redress their disadvantaged position in society and the need for self-determination in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs." (Jonas, Langton: 1994)

Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation:

The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation was established in 1991 under the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation Act 1991. The Council had bi-partisan support and was established for a ten-year period. The Council was made up of 12 Aboriginal Australians, two Torres Strait Islanders and 11 non-Aboriginal Australians. The vision of the Council as formulated by the first 25 members was "A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all."

The Council also identified eight key issues in the process of reconciliation including the importance of land and sea to Indigenous people; better relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities; recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and heritage; a shared ownership of history; a greater awareness of the causes of disadvantage; a greater community response to the underlying causes of high levels of custody of Indigenous peoples; a greater opportunity for Indigenous Australians to control their destinies; and, a document or documents of reconciliation.

The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation presented a report to the Government in December 2000 when it completed it's ten year establishment period. Reconciliation activities are ongoing through Reconciliation Australia which is a non-government funded organisation.

Institute of Koorie Education, Deakin University Geelong:

In December 1991 the Institute of Koorie Education was formally proclaimed. The Institute grew out of work that began in 1986 when two programs for Koories, the Koorie Teacher Education Program (K.T.E.P) and a final year program for Batchelor College graduates (DBATE), were offered through Deakin University. The Institute of Koorie Education was established on the recommendation of a working party to the Vice Chancellor. This working party explored the notions of joint authority and joint management of Koorie education initiatives by the University. The working party sought advice on administrative structures that would enable the University and the Victorian Koorie Community to work jointly on teaching, curricula, financial, organisational and personnel matters affecting the Koorie equity programs of the University.

The Institute of Koorie Education continues to operate in 2001 and has 250 graduates from the various Degree courses that have been offered since 1986. In 2000, the Institute received the Australian University Teaching Award for the Provision of Educational Services to local and regional communities.

Koorie Intern Teacher Training Program

The Koorie Intern Teacher Training Program was established in partnership between the VAEAI, the Victorian Ministry of Education and the Institute of Koorie Education at Deakin University. The program was set up as a career path for Koorie Educators. The Intern teachers were provisionally registered teachers and initially were required to be located within classrooms for three days per week and then in a study centre for two days per week. This was changed and the intern teachers were required to be at the Study Centres for five days a week. The program was a program of primary teacher education within the Deakin University Bachelor of Arts (Education) degree program.

The program was a success, and twenty-nine Koorie teachers have graduated from the program. Of the twenty-nine teachers, twenty are teaching in Victorian schools. The program finished in 1997.

1992

The Centre for Indigenous Education, Melbourne University

In 1992, the Centre for Indigenous Education was established from an amalgamation of student support units within the University of Melbourne, including the KSLU.

The Centre for Indigenous Education is the main focus for the recruitment of and support services to students. It assists with course selection, tutorials, accommodation, study, personal support, community networking, cross-cultural development, career counselling and referral to approved agencies when required. The CIE provides meeting rooms, study areas, computer equipment and a resource library. It also provides an opportunity for liaison between the Indigenous community and the University and is an important information service for those interested in Indigenous history and culture.

The Torres Strait Island flag

The Torres Strait Island flag, designed by Bernard Namok was first used in 1992. If features three horizontal bands, two green to represent the land and the one blue to represent the sea. The black lines represent the people. The white dhari, a traditional headdress of the people is also featured on the flag. The five pointed star includes the five island groups, eastern, western central, Port Kennedy area and the Northern Peninsula area.

1993

National Strategy for the Education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 1996-2000.

The Council of Australia Governments (COAG) established the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA) in 1993.

The MCEETYA then established an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Task Force, which developed a National Strategy for the Education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 1996-2002.

The policy focuses on culturally inclusive education, attendance, retention rates, and, completion rates.

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy of 1989 informed the Strategy. Funding from the Commonwealth through the Department of Education Training and Youth Affairs to each of the State and Territory Education Departments, and enables negotiated agreements to the goals and policies of the NATSIEP and the National Strategy for the Education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

1994

National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics (NCATSIS)

The National Centre for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics (NCATSIS) is located in the Darwin office of the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

NCATSIS has national responsibility for quality statistics relating to Australia's Indigenous peoples. The Centre also provides expert advice to government departments, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, and other users of Indigenous statistics; particularly those concerned with population, health and welfare.

Koorie Open Door Education Schools (KODE)

KODE schools were the result of negotiations between the VAEAI and the Department of Education. They were agreed to by the Minister for Education, Don Heywood, and the announcement was made by the Minister and the VAEAI President, Mary Atkinson in 1994 that two KODE schools would be opening in 1995.