Richard Frankland - Work

In 1987 Richard began work as a Field Officer with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. For a short time he held the position as Secretary of the National Aboriginal Islander Legal Service Secretariat. He assisted in the initial format of the Criminal Justice Panels and lectured on Paralegal Studies to TAFE Colleges. In his role he picked up the Deaths In Custody Portfolio from the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

In 1988 he was appointed as a Field Officer/Investigator with the Federal Royal Commission Into Aboriginal Deaths In Custody. Richard acted as a Senior Adviser with the Royal Commissioner working directly with the Right Honourable John Halden Wootten Q.C AC. He consulted the Commission in a variety of areas - liaison with families, investigating deaths, preparation of cases for hearings, advising on recommendations and policy and the development of preventative measures in relation to deaths in and out of custody.

During his time at the Commission Richard investigated James Savage aka Russell Moore's Grandfathers death. Because of his involvement with the family he was requested by James' mother, Beverley Whyman to assist her in preparation of a legal defence for her son who was facing the death penalty in Florida. Richard attended the case in Florida and assisted in arranging his legal defence.

Throughout many of the positions he has held, Richard has acted as a voluntary counsellor for people who have attempted suicide, those who have identity problems and for those who are suffering in high stress positions.

Richard has also lectured on Aboriginal and discrimination issues in the community, schools, government and business sectors.

In November 1994, Richard was appointed under the Federal Native Act 1993 as the Chief Executive Officer of Mirimbiak Nations, the Representative Body for Native Title in Victoria. He has also been involved with national level negotiations and debate about native title through the National Indigenous Working Group.

Richard has given many key note addresses on the subjects of cultural awareness and native title to organisations such as the Screen Producers Association of Australia, the Commonwealth Senate Standing Committee, Victorian Trades Hall Council and at the state conference of the Australian Labour Party.

His Films - His Music - Back

Kutjungka

Balgo Artists

Gunditjmara

Andy Alberts
Uncle Banjo Clarke
Brett Clarke
Richard Frankland
Shane Howard
Lee Morgan
Neil Murray
Archie Roach
Tiddas