Evelyn Scott,
Chairperson, Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
At the launch of Lore of the Land
 Melbourne,
20th October 1999
First I'd like to acknowledge that we're here on the traditional
lands of the Wurundjeri people. In keeping with a tradition of the
Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, I acknowledge the living
cultures of the Wurundjeri people, and the unique contribution they
make to the life of the Melbourne region.
The cultures of Indigenous peoples, and especially the sacred link
between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their lands
and waters, are, as I understand it, a large part of the project
we're here to launch.
I welcome that very warmly. The use of modern technology to deliver
messages of ancient and continuing significance seems to me to have
a nice touch about it.
In fact the Internet today is proving to be a boon to a growing
number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Remote communities, in particular, are discovering that they can
use that Internet to maintain pretty continuous contact with each
other, as well as with the rest of the world they are part of.
In the past, communities separated by long distances had limited
opportunities to swap stories and experiences. Today, at least some
of them can do it via cyberspace. The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
is actively encouraging efforts to expand the availability of equipment
and training for Internet use by remote communities, and we are
part of one small pilot project to do this.
It's quite an exciting idea really - that the oldest living cultures
on Earth can use that newest forms of communication to keep in touch
and eventually, I hope, present their perspective on Australia's
history and cultural heritage to the wider community.
I mention these developments to give some context to the launch
of 'Lore of the Land'.
This project seems to me to be a sign of Australia's maturity as
a nation.
Not so long ago, the wider Australian community viewed the land
and waters of this continent merely as something to be exploited,
for purposes ranging from recreation through to mining.
Today, more and more people are recognising other significances
in the land, and at last they are beginning to recognise the spiritual
significance of land to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
'Lore of the Land' will contribute to this positive development.
It provides people with direct access to information, without the
filters so often applied by our politicians and, dare I say it,
the media.
In that regard, 'Lore of the Land' will make a significant contribution
to reconciliation. Anything that strives to dispel ignorance and
promote understanding between the broad Australian community and
Indigenous people must help the reconciliation process.
Therefore, I'm very happy to be associated with this launch. I
congratulate Fraynework Productions and the Sisters of Mercy on
their initiative, and I hope the resources they've produced will
be used by a large number of Australians.
Thank you.
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