Knowing the Impact - Count Me In:

Wednesday 30 May 2012, Allan Scott Auditorium

Jointly presented by Anglicare SA and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and held during SA Reconciliation Week

Anglicare SA is committed to a campaign to educate Australians on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders as Australia's first peoples. An Expert Panel was appointed by the Prime Minister to report on options for this recognition by means of a referendum to change the Constitution.

The Count Me In campaign encourages everyone to be involved and make their vote count.

This forum will explain the importance of referendum and the need for all Australians to understand the issues.

Chair: Dr Lynn Arnold AO, Reconciliation Ambassador, and CEO Anglicare SA
Host: Ms Elizabeth Ho OAM, Director, Hawke Centre and People of Australia Ambassador

Panel members:

• The Hon Robyn Layton AO, Member of University of South Australia, Co-Chair of Reconciliation SA and Ambassador for Count Me In
  Speaking about recommendations in the Expert Panel Report: Summary of recommendations and powerpoint presentation (pdf format)
• Ms Khatija Thomas, Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement
  Speaking about ways to engage Aboriginal Communities in the conversation and process
• Professor Peter Buckskin PSM FACE, Co-Chair Reconciliation SA and Dean: Indigenous Scholarship, Engagement and Research at UniSA
  Speaking about the importance of the referendum in the reconciliation process Powerpoint presentation (pdf format)

Biographies:

Dr Lynn Arnold AO commenced in the role of Chief Executive of Anglicare SA on March 10, 2008, after eleven years with World Vision International where he held roles such as Senior Director (Board Development and Peer Review), Regional Vice President for Asia and Pacific and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for World Vision Australia.

As Anglicare's Chief Executive Officer, Lynn is responsible for overseeing South Australia's largest non-government agency promoting 'justice, respect and fullness of life for all.' Anglicare SA has over 1500 staff and 1000 volunteers with an annual budget of approximately $100 million.

Lynn is currently National Co-Chair for Anti-Poverty Week, a member of the Anglicare Australia Council, Chair Trustees, Don Dunstan Foundation and one of three South Australian Reconciliation Ambassadors. During his time as CEO of World Vision Dr Arnold also served on the Australian Foreign Minister's Aid Advisory Council, and the Australian Council for Overseas Aid.

Lynn holds a PhD, as well as a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education from the University of Adelaide. He also holds a diploma in Senior Company Administration from the Escuela Superior de la Alta Direccion de Empresas (ESADE) in Barcelona, Spain. In 2004, he was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) for his services to Australia through the South Australian Parliament as Premier, and internationally through development and humanitarian aid assistance. In 2001 he received the Centenary Medal for his services to the Australian community.

Robyn Layton QC AO is a former Supreme Court Judge and currently an Adjunct Professor at the School of Law, University of South Australia. Her strong connection with Aboriginal social justice issues began in the late 1960's after she went into partnership with Elliott Johnston AO QC. She has since that time undertaken pro bono legal work for Aboriginal people, was the solicitor for the Central Aboriginal Land Rights team prior to the formation of Central Aboriginal Land Council. Later as a barrister she was involved in the Hindmarsh Island litigation in State and Federal Courts and also in the Royal Commission. Robyn still continues her work on Aboriginal issues through a number of social justice committees which include as Co Chair of Reconciliation SA.

Khatija Thomas, Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement
In December 2010, Khatija Thomas was appointed by the Governor as Co-Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement in South Australia. Ms Thomas was born in Port Augusta and is a proud Kokatha woman.

Directly prior to her appointment as Commissioner, she was a solicitor with the South Australian Native Title Services, working on projects to strengthen Aboriginal community governance, participation in and implementation of native title benefits.

She previously worked for the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement and also completed a twelve month Australian Youth Ambassador for Development placement as a legal advisor at the Community Legal Education Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Her work was primarily in the Land and Natural Resources Team on indigenous land titling, land law and natural resources law issues.

For the last few years, Ms Thomas has focused on delivery of legal representation and advocacy for Aboriginal women. She has travelled to rural and remote communities in the north of South Australia where she has provided advice, advocacy and community legal education to Aboriginal women regarding domestic violence and community safety.

She was previously chairperson of the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, member of the Law Society of South Australia's Indigenous Issues Committee and member of the South Australian Government's Aboriginal Advisory Council.

She has also been a DEEWR Indigenous Ambassador and is a member of the South Australian Aboriginal Education Consultative Body. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Public and International Law through the University of Melbourne.

Khatija now continues in the role as Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement in a full-time capacity.

Professor Peter Buckskin PSM, FACE, Dean: Indigenous Scholarship, Engagement and Research
For over thirty years I have had the privilege of working in the rewarding area of Aboriginal Education in a number of exciting roles. Prior to taking up the position of Dean ISER, I was Dean and Head of School of the David Unaipon College of Indigenous Education and Research.

I have worked as a classroom teacher in Western Australia and South Australia, and advocated by occupying the Chair of the South Australian Aboriginal Education Consultative Committee, and being a member of the National Aboriginal Education Committee.

I have held high public office as a Ministerial Adviser, Superintendent of Schools, and a Senior Executive at both State and Commonwealth level in the portfolios of Aboriginal Affairs, Employment, Education and Training.

I was a member of the Australian National Commission to UNESCO from 1984 until 1986.

I am Patron of the Principals Australia's Dare to Lead Program, which encourages and supports Australian school Principals in improving Indigenous education outcomes and working for Reconciliation in their schools.

I was an invited contributor to the Australian 2020 Summit of leaders and thinkers contributing to a vision for Australia's future.

My international work includes participating in the 2009 Working Group of Experts to the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples that reported to the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva.

In 2010 I was pleased to accept four important appointments namely; Board Member of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, inaugural (NCAFP) Board for one term, Council Member of the Australian Research Council's (ARC) Advisory Council, Board member of The Lowitja Institute, and Executive Member of World Indigenous Network of Higher Education Consortium, (WINHEC).

In 2011, I agreed to accept a 3 year term as a member of the Australian Government's National First Peoples Education Advisory Group.

I continue as the Chairperson of both the South Australian Aboriginal Education and Training Consultative Body, (SAAETCB) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Higher Education Consortium.

In recognition of my contribution I have received the Commonwealth Public Service Medal in the 2001 Australia Day Honours, Frank G Klassen Award for Leadership and Contribution to Teacher Education from the International Council on Education for Teaching (ICET), 2003 and in 2005 the National Deadly Award for Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education.

I was elected a Fellow of the Australian College of Educators (FACE) in 2007.

I am also proud to be a White Ribbon Ambassador to promote an organisation that is working to prevent the most common and pervasive form of male violence - that towards women.

While the views presented by speakers within the Hawke Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia or The Hawke Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: strengthening our democracy - valuing our diversity - and building our future.

The copying and reproduction of any transcripts within the Hawke Centre public program is strictly forbidden without prior arrangements.