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Monday, 06 September 2010

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South Australian state premier writes to Indian students

ADELAIDE, August 28 (IANS): The premier of an Australian state has taken the unusual step of writing a personal letter to each of the 4,787 Indian overseas students enrolled in his state, assuring them of their safety and welfare.

South Australia’s Premier, Mike Rann, has written to Indian students highlighting not only his government’s support but the extra support networks available to ensure that their experience of living and studying is “overwhelmingly positive”.

The spate of attacks on Indian overseas students, largely in Melbourne and Sydney, and the media furore that ensued have been threatening Australia’s second largest education export market.

Wadeye (Australia): In the remote Aboriginal town of Wadeye, 420 km south-west of Northern Territory’s capital, Darwin, third world living conditions still prevail despite the Australian Government’s efforts to improve life for its oldest inhabitants.

Wadeye, formerly known as Port Keats, has the largest Aboriginal community with a population of 2,500, comprising over 20 tribal groups speaking seven languages. The family and clan diversity in this remote community, some say, has led to simmering tensions which erupt into violence every now and then.

It is hot and muggy and the only sound is that of stirring leaves in the light breeze. From the desolate airstrip, the message on the posters, however, is loud and clear: “Don’t bring gunja into our town” and `No alcohol, no pornography’.

Consumption of drugs has been a major problem in a town that was declared alcohol-free in 1988. “Our community has been dry for two decades, but the White staff has permits for alcohol. It is discriminatory”, says William Parmbuk, 44, Chairperson of the Thamarrurr Regional Council, who finds the second poster offensive and would like it pulled down.

Indigenous Aboriginal women from the remote Western Australian town of Fitzroy Crossing have saved their community from the scourge of alcohol abuse, domestic violence and foetal alcohol syndrome by successfully fighting for alcohol restrictions in the region. The town has a total population of 928 persons, with 67.3 per cent Indigenous persons.
In 2007, a group of courageous Aboriginal women in the outback town of Fitzroy Crossing decided enough was enough. Their community had experienced 13 suicides in 13 months and many premature deaths. Family violence and child abuse were rife and alcohol consumption was rising at an alarming rate.