Re: Rhonda and her story: That day Rhonda came into my office when I was sitting with Aunty Pat King, an elder who was a mentor for the Aboriginal arts program, sticks in my mind. When Rhonda told me about the time she met her mother for five minutes when she was about twelve, I could totally picture the whole scene, and it was incredibly moving. I seriously thought that this was Australia’s The Color Purple. Rhonda is a remarkable storyteller; her words are engaging, entertaining, and wise. I loved her vibrant personality too, so I knew we would also have a lot of fun, but, more importantly, I knew that her story was vital for Australians and indeed the world to know about and I was in a precious position to be able to help her. Rhonda is unique in that although she has diabetes, she is still in very good health for an Aboriginal person in their mid-sixties. And she is a fabulous public speaker who can articulate the issues affecting her people in a way that attracts people. I didn’t know that her story could become a full book at first, but when she brought over boxes of documentation and photos from her family’s past, and, with her clear, vibrant memories of so many events from her childhood and later life that she told me during our weekly sessions, combined with what I was learning at uni in writing, editing and publishing, I realized that, including her powerful poetry and artwork, this book would be truly special.
Advice: Follow your heart. The most rewarding work I’ve ever done has come from throwing the security of a nine-to-five job to the wind and doing something because it feels right because you are helping someone else. By the same token, if your gut says those you are working with are motivated by disrespect, you have to weigh up if you can continue and still sleep at night.
Faktorovich: You wrote the Multicultural Client Communication Plan for the Liquor Licensing Division of the Qld Department of Tourism, Racing & Trade in 2001. Did this plan address the problem of high alcohol consumption rates on Aboriginal territories? What were your findings? How was this plan used to help problems related to multiculturalism or racism? Did you enjoy writing these types of reports, or did you always prefer more creative types of writing, like memoires?
Ferro: In Australia, Multiculturalism refers to working with migrants and refugees, not our Indigenous peoples. That Plan was to help regulatory government staff better work with restaurant and bar owners in our State who were from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. From data provided by Liquor Licensing, I calculated the numbers of CALD restaurateurs and devised strategies to improve communication by government regulators. Recommendations included employing bilingual/bicultural staff from a number of different backgrounds, translating materials, and employing interpreters for certain aspects of their work.
For over six years I ran the multicultural HIV/AIDS education/prevention for Queensland. I enjoyed this work immensely because it combined both working directly with incredible people from diverse cultural backgrounds, together with writing educational and training materials, and devising strategies that were always flexible and uniquely tailored for each group. So, yes, I enjoy the creative side of community development work, but I equally enjoy the more solitary and logical aspect of writing reports and plans. For me, co-writing memoirs combines both of these joys in a much less stressful package. When you work in community centres, you deal with crisis management every day. Working from home, I’m dealing with one person’s issues only and in a peaceful environment. The thrill of watching someone like Rhonda heal through expressing herself, growing in confidence and self-worth, has been priceless.
Faktorovich: There is no equivalent that I know of to the title “Aboriginal Elder” that you have at the Bremer State High School, in addition to being the Cultural & Art Teacher. What does this title mean? Is it similar to a Native American tribal Chief? Is it common for women to hold this position in Australia? Do you primarily teach Aboriginal arts and crafts or standard/ classical art techniques?
Collard-Spratt: To be an Aboriginal Elder for a school you have to be respected; it’s a gift our Aboriginal community gives to you. As an Elder to a school, you are called to special functions, and you are called in if there are any issues between students and teachers. You sit in on the discussion when an Aboriginal student is meeting with a teacher or principal. If I’m not there they will just sit there in silence. It helps the students to speak out. I also talk one-on-one with students who have issues at home. So, I’m just there as an ear to listen if they’re struggling, and