Latest news with #BobMorgan
The Advertiser
07-07-2025
- General
- The Advertiser
Two generations, one vision: shaping the future with respect for Aboriginal roots
IN order to move forward, Australia has to look back. As the country marks the 50th year of NAIDOC Week celebrations this week, the theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', speaks both to the future and the deep cultural roots that have guided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since time immemorial. They might be from different generations, but Gumilaroi man Bob Morgan and Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa man Jayden Kitchener-Waters share a determination to protect and pass on cultural knowledge, identity and purpose. University of Newcastle professor Dr Bob Morgan is a highly-respected Aboriginal educator and researcher who grew up on the western plains. "I guess the early years growing up in Walgett ... there was a part of me as a kid that didn't really fully understand what was happening in our community," he said. "As I grew older, I realised living in the shanties on the riverbank and being isolated from the white community, there was something totally wrong with what we were experiencing." Dr Morgan was 16 when the Freedom Riders came to town. University of Sydney students, led by the institution's first Aboriginal student, Charles Perkins, rode through regional NSW highlighting racial segregation and social injustice. The visit triggered something in Dr Morgan, a drive and determination to change conditions for Aboriginal people for the better. "I often look back and reflect on my early years, and even though we lived in very, very difficult circumstances and poverty, there was lots of happiness," he said. "We were surrounded by loved ones, our families, kinship structures and were people of the country and connected to the country." Dr Morgan said that connection to country is pivotal to his identity, just like the songlines, stories and cultural knowledge that were handed down by knowledge keepers and Elders in his community. He said NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate what it truly means to be part of the oldest surviving, continuous culture on the planet - but the work is far from over. "We've been really good at dealing with the symbols of reconciliation, but the structural and systemic changes and the societal changes that need to occur, it's still unfinished business," he said. Dr Morgan said the next generation will play a critical role in carrying the torch. "I'm so excited about some of the potential leaders that are emerging, not just through the academic system at universities, but those that are embedded in culture, practising culture and taking kids out on country," he said. "Leadership is so critical in this space, but it has to combine the wisdom of Elders and knowledge keepers and those young ones that are striving to be a part of the change. "So how do you connect those two critical elements of culture, is what stands before us." Jayden Kitchener-Waters is the next generation. Originally from Tamworth and now living in Newcastle, he's a senior policy and research officer with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and a founding director of Gambadul Aboriginal Corporation. Mr Kitchener-Waters leads community consultations across the south coast, supports language revitalisation across the state and recently completed the 2025 NSW Parliament Young Aboriginal Leaders Program. He grew up in a family that was "culturally grounded" and said he has always been proud of his identity. "I always grew up dancing, being encouraged to speak language by my family," he said. "Statewide, there is obviously a massive loss of language, and I use the word 'lost' very lightly; these languages were stolen from us. "I was brought up with the cultural values of respect, humility and love; knowing my story, I'm able to share that with other people, share the truth of our culture." Mr Kitchener-Waters said this year's NAIDOC Week theme is about acknowledging the leadership and values of their ancestors. "Our old people were so staunch, but graceful and humble, and they stood up for what was right," he said. "I think this theme is about continuing that legacy and telling their stories with those values at the forefront." Both Dr Morgan and Mr Kitchener-Waters said truth-telling will be crucial to true reconciliation in Australia. "I think young people are now in a position to be sharing true stories about what happened to our people, and not doing that in a way that throws people off or makes people feel guilty and angry," Mr Kitchener-Waters said. "People were taken from their families, displaced, mass genocides. I think until we properly recognise that, then you can't move forward in reconciliation." Dr Morgan said Aboriginal people are not asking for anything more than others seem to "have as a birthright". "That goes to issues of meaninglessness, alienation and loss of culture and purpose, we can't do this work, the social and restorative justice work, without non-Indigenous people," he said. "I have really enjoyed that journey of walking with non-Indigenous people to bring about change and transformation." Both said valuable lessons could be learned from Australia's past, and from the cultural knowledge and ways of their ancestors. Mr Kitchener-Waters said the book The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan and Uncle Paul Gordon is a great place to start. "Those old values are still completely relevant and can help everyone in modern-day society," he said. "If everyone starts living with cultural values of respect, love and humility and looking after Mother Earth, I can see nothing but positive things for everyone if we live with those old values." The NAIDOC journey started as a movement for recognition and rights led by Indigenous communities who wanted a future built on justice and equality. Over the last five decades, it has grown into a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year, Newcastle will host the first NAIDOC Community Awards for the region on August 2 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Awabakal Country. On Monday, July 7, the Newcastle NAIDOC Community Festival will kick off at Civic Park from 9am with a welcome and flag raising before a march to Foreshore Park for entertainment, stalls, rides, food and drink. The event is free and runs from 10am to 2pm, featuring a main stage, Dreamtime Tent, dancing circle, Elders Tent, rides, a sensory zone and more. IN order to move forward, Australia has to look back. As the country marks the 50th year of NAIDOC Week celebrations this week, the theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', speaks both to the future and the deep cultural roots that have guided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since time immemorial. They might be from different generations, but Gumilaroi man Bob Morgan and Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa man Jayden Kitchener-Waters share a determination to protect and pass on cultural knowledge, identity and purpose. University of Newcastle professor Dr Bob Morgan is a highly-respected Aboriginal educator and researcher who grew up on the western plains. "I guess the early years growing up in Walgett ... there was a part of me as a kid that didn't really fully understand what was happening in our community," he said. "As I grew older, I realised living in the shanties on the riverbank and being isolated from the white community, there was something totally wrong with what we were experiencing." Dr Morgan was 16 when the Freedom Riders came to town. University of Sydney students, led by the institution's first Aboriginal student, Charles Perkins, rode through regional NSW highlighting racial segregation and social injustice. The visit triggered something in Dr Morgan, a drive and determination to change conditions for Aboriginal people for the better. "I often look back and reflect on my early years, and even though we lived in very, very difficult circumstances and poverty, there was lots of happiness," he said. "We were surrounded by loved ones, our families, kinship structures and were people of the country and connected to the country." Dr Morgan said that connection to country is pivotal to his identity, just like the songlines, stories and cultural knowledge that were handed down by knowledge keepers and Elders in his community. He said NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate what it truly means to be part of the oldest surviving, continuous culture on the planet - but the work is far from over. "We've been really good at dealing with the symbols of reconciliation, but the structural and systemic changes and the societal changes that need to occur, it's still unfinished business," he said. Dr Morgan said the next generation will play a critical role in carrying the torch. "I'm so excited about some of the potential leaders that are emerging, not just through the academic system at universities, but those that are embedded in culture, practising culture and taking kids out on country," he said. "Leadership is so critical in this space, but it has to combine the wisdom of Elders and knowledge keepers and those young ones that are striving to be a part of the change. "So how do you connect those two critical elements of culture, is what stands before us." Jayden Kitchener-Waters is the next generation. Originally from Tamworth and now living in Newcastle, he's a senior policy and research officer with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and a founding director of Gambadul Aboriginal Corporation. Mr Kitchener-Waters leads community consultations across the south coast, supports language revitalisation across the state and recently completed the 2025 NSW Parliament Young Aboriginal Leaders Program. He grew up in a family that was "culturally grounded" and said he has always been proud of his identity. "I always grew up dancing, being encouraged to speak language by my family," he said. "Statewide, there is obviously a massive loss of language, and I use the word 'lost' very lightly; these languages were stolen from us. "I was brought up with the cultural values of respect, humility and love; knowing my story, I'm able to share that with other people, share the truth of our culture." Mr Kitchener-Waters said this year's NAIDOC Week theme is about acknowledging the leadership and values of their ancestors. "Our old people were so staunch, but graceful and humble, and they stood up for what was right," he said. "I think this theme is about continuing that legacy and telling their stories with those values at the forefront." Both Dr Morgan and Mr Kitchener-Waters said truth-telling will be crucial to true reconciliation in Australia. "I think young people are now in a position to be sharing true stories about what happened to our people, and not doing that in a way that throws people off or makes people feel guilty and angry," Mr Kitchener-Waters said. "People were taken from their families, displaced, mass genocides. I think until we properly recognise that, then you can't move forward in reconciliation." Dr Morgan said Aboriginal people are not asking for anything more than others seem to "have as a birthright". "That goes to issues of meaninglessness, alienation and loss of culture and purpose, we can't do this work, the social and restorative justice work, without non-Indigenous people," he said. "I have really enjoyed that journey of walking with non-Indigenous people to bring about change and transformation." Both said valuable lessons could be learned from Australia's past, and from the cultural knowledge and ways of their ancestors. Mr Kitchener-Waters said the book The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan and Uncle Paul Gordon is a great place to start. "Those old values are still completely relevant and can help everyone in modern-day society," he said. "If everyone starts living with cultural values of respect, love and humility and looking after Mother Earth, I can see nothing but positive things for everyone if we live with those old values." The NAIDOC journey started as a movement for recognition and rights led by Indigenous communities who wanted a future built on justice and equality. Over the last five decades, it has grown into a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year, Newcastle will host the first NAIDOC Community Awards for the region on August 2 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Awabakal Country. On Monday, July 7, the Newcastle NAIDOC Community Festival will kick off at Civic Park from 9am with a welcome and flag raising before a march to Foreshore Park for entertainment, stalls, rides, food and drink. The event is free and runs from 10am to 2pm, featuring a main stage, Dreamtime Tent, dancing circle, Elders Tent, rides, a sensory zone and more. IN order to move forward, Australia has to look back. As the country marks the 50th year of NAIDOC Week celebrations this week, the theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', speaks both to the future and the deep cultural roots that have guided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since time immemorial. They might be from different generations, but Gumilaroi man Bob Morgan and Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa man Jayden Kitchener-Waters share a determination to protect and pass on cultural knowledge, identity and purpose. University of Newcastle professor Dr Bob Morgan is a highly-respected Aboriginal educator and researcher who grew up on the western plains. "I guess the early years growing up in Walgett ... there was a part of me as a kid that didn't really fully understand what was happening in our community," he said. "As I grew older, I realised living in the shanties on the riverbank and being isolated from the white community, there was something totally wrong with what we were experiencing." Dr Morgan was 16 when the Freedom Riders came to town. University of Sydney students, led by the institution's first Aboriginal student, Charles Perkins, rode through regional NSW highlighting racial segregation and social injustice. The visit triggered something in Dr Morgan, a drive and determination to change conditions for Aboriginal people for the better. "I often look back and reflect on my early years, and even though we lived in very, very difficult circumstances and poverty, there was lots of happiness," he said. "We were surrounded by loved ones, our families, kinship structures and were people of the country and connected to the country." Dr Morgan said that connection to country is pivotal to his identity, just like the songlines, stories and cultural knowledge that were handed down by knowledge keepers and Elders in his community. He said NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate what it truly means to be part of the oldest surviving, continuous culture on the planet - but the work is far from over. "We've been really good at dealing with the symbols of reconciliation, but the structural and systemic changes and the societal changes that need to occur, it's still unfinished business," he said. Dr Morgan said the next generation will play a critical role in carrying the torch. "I'm so excited about some of the potential leaders that are emerging, not just through the academic system at universities, but those that are embedded in culture, practising culture and taking kids out on country," he said. "Leadership is so critical in this space, but it has to combine the wisdom of Elders and knowledge keepers and those young ones that are striving to be a part of the change. "So how do you connect those two critical elements of culture, is what stands before us." Jayden Kitchener-Waters is the next generation. Originally from Tamworth and now living in Newcastle, he's a senior policy and research officer with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and a founding director of Gambadul Aboriginal Corporation. Mr Kitchener-Waters leads community consultations across the south coast, supports language revitalisation across the state and recently completed the 2025 NSW Parliament Young Aboriginal Leaders Program. He grew up in a family that was "culturally grounded" and said he has always been proud of his identity. "I always grew up dancing, being encouraged to speak language by my family," he said. "Statewide, there is obviously a massive loss of language, and I use the word 'lost' very lightly; these languages were stolen from us. "I was brought up with the cultural values of respect, humility and love; knowing my story, I'm able to share that with other people, share the truth of our culture." Mr Kitchener-Waters said this year's NAIDOC Week theme is about acknowledging the leadership and values of their ancestors. "Our old people were so staunch, but graceful and humble, and they stood up for what was right," he said. "I think this theme is about continuing that legacy and telling their stories with those values at the forefront." Both Dr Morgan and Mr Kitchener-Waters said truth-telling will be crucial to true reconciliation in Australia. "I think young people are now in a position to be sharing true stories about what happened to our people, and not doing that in a way that throws people off or makes people feel guilty and angry," Mr Kitchener-Waters said. "People were taken from their families, displaced, mass genocides. I think until we properly recognise that, then you can't move forward in reconciliation." Dr Morgan said Aboriginal people are not asking for anything more than others seem to "have as a birthright". "That goes to issues of meaninglessness, alienation and loss of culture and purpose, we can't do this work, the social and restorative justice work, without non-Indigenous people," he said. "I have really enjoyed that journey of walking with non-Indigenous people to bring about change and transformation." Both said valuable lessons could be learned from Australia's past, and from the cultural knowledge and ways of their ancestors. Mr Kitchener-Waters said the book The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan and Uncle Paul Gordon is a great place to start. "Those old values are still completely relevant and can help everyone in modern-day society," he said. "If everyone starts living with cultural values of respect, love and humility and looking after Mother Earth, I can see nothing but positive things for everyone if we live with those old values." The NAIDOC journey started as a movement for recognition and rights led by Indigenous communities who wanted a future built on justice and equality. Over the last five decades, it has grown into a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year, Newcastle will host the first NAIDOC Community Awards for the region on August 2 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Awabakal Country. On Monday, July 7, the Newcastle NAIDOC Community Festival will kick off at Civic Park from 9am with a welcome and flag raising before a march to Foreshore Park for entertainment, stalls, rides, food and drink. The event is free and runs from 10am to 2pm, featuring a main stage, Dreamtime Tent, dancing circle, Elders Tent, rides, a sensory zone and more. IN order to move forward, Australia has to look back. As the country marks the 50th year of NAIDOC Week celebrations this week, the theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy', speaks both to the future and the deep cultural roots that have guided Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people since time immemorial. They might be from different generations, but Gumilaroi man Bob Morgan and Gomeroi and Ngiyampaa man Jayden Kitchener-Waters share a determination to protect and pass on cultural knowledge, identity and purpose. University of Newcastle professor Dr Bob Morgan is a highly-respected Aboriginal educator and researcher who grew up on the western plains. "I guess the early years growing up in Walgett ... there was a part of me as a kid that didn't really fully understand what was happening in our community," he said. "As I grew older, I realised living in the shanties on the riverbank and being isolated from the white community, there was something totally wrong with what we were experiencing." Dr Morgan was 16 when the Freedom Riders came to town. University of Sydney students, led by the institution's first Aboriginal student, Charles Perkins, rode through regional NSW highlighting racial segregation and social injustice. The visit triggered something in Dr Morgan, a drive and determination to change conditions for Aboriginal people for the better. "I often look back and reflect on my early years, and even though we lived in very, very difficult circumstances and poverty, there was lots of happiness," he said. "We were surrounded by loved ones, our families, kinship structures and were people of the country and connected to the country." Dr Morgan said that connection to country is pivotal to his identity, just like the songlines, stories and cultural knowledge that were handed down by knowledge keepers and Elders in his community. He said NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate what it truly means to be part of the oldest surviving, continuous culture on the planet - but the work is far from over. "We've been really good at dealing with the symbols of reconciliation, but the structural and systemic changes and the societal changes that need to occur, it's still unfinished business," he said. Dr Morgan said the next generation will play a critical role in carrying the torch. "I'm so excited about some of the potential leaders that are emerging, not just through the academic system at universities, but those that are embedded in culture, practising culture and taking kids out on country," he said. "Leadership is so critical in this space, but it has to combine the wisdom of Elders and knowledge keepers and those young ones that are striving to be a part of the change. "So how do you connect those two critical elements of culture, is what stands before us." Jayden Kitchener-Waters is the next generation. Originally from Tamworth and now living in Newcastle, he's a senior policy and research officer with the NSW Aboriginal Languages Trust and a founding director of Gambadul Aboriginal Corporation. Mr Kitchener-Waters leads community consultations across the south coast, supports language revitalisation across the state and recently completed the 2025 NSW Parliament Young Aboriginal Leaders Program. He grew up in a family that was "culturally grounded" and said he has always been proud of his identity. "I always grew up dancing, being encouraged to speak language by my family," he said. "Statewide, there is obviously a massive loss of language, and I use the word 'lost' very lightly; these languages were stolen from us. "I was brought up with the cultural values of respect, humility and love; knowing my story, I'm able to share that with other people, share the truth of our culture." Mr Kitchener-Waters said this year's NAIDOC Week theme is about acknowledging the leadership and values of their ancestors. "Our old people were so staunch, but graceful and humble, and they stood up for what was right," he said. "I think this theme is about continuing that legacy and telling their stories with those values at the forefront." Both Dr Morgan and Mr Kitchener-Waters said truth-telling will be crucial to true reconciliation in Australia. "I think young people are now in a position to be sharing true stories about what happened to our people, and not doing that in a way that throws people off or makes people feel guilty and angry," Mr Kitchener-Waters said. "People were taken from their families, displaced, mass genocides. I think until we properly recognise that, then you can't move forward in reconciliation." Dr Morgan said Aboriginal people are not asking for anything more than others seem to "have as a birthright". "That goes to issues of meaninglessness, alienation and loss of culture and purpose, we can't do this work, the social and restorative justice work, without non-Indigenous people," he said. "I have really enjoyed that journey of walking with non-Indigenous people to bring about change and transformation." Both said valuable lessons could be learned from Australia's past, and from the cultural knowledge and ways of their ancestors. Mr Kitchener-Waters said the book The Dreaming Path by Paul Callaghan and Uncle Paul Gordon is a great place to start. "Those old values are still completely relevant and can help everyone in modern-day society," he said. "If everyone starts living with cultural values of respect, love and humility and looking after Mother Earth, I can see nothing but positive things for everyone if we live with those old values." The NAIDOC journey started as a movement for recognition and rights led by Indigenous communities who wanted a future built on justice and equality. Over the last five decades, it has grown into a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year, Newcastle will host the first NAIDOC Community Awards for the region on August 2 at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on Awabakal Country. On Monday, July 7, the Newcastle NAIDOC Community Festival will kick off at Civic Park from 9am with a welcome and flag raising before a march to Foreshore Park for entertainment, stalls, rides, food and drink. The event is free and runs from 10am to 2pm, featuring a main stage, Dreamtime Tent, dancing circle, Elders Tent, rides, a sensory zone and more.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Illinois BEARS Act would require teams have winning record to receive public stadium funding
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) — A new Illinois bill would require sports teams to have a record of winning games before the state would consider spending taxpayer money on a stadium. , the Balanced Earnings And Record Standards (BEARS) Stadium Oversight and Expectations Act, also known as Da Bears Stadium Oversight Act, would require professional sports teams to achieve a 0.500 record in at least 3 out of the last five seasons before they would qualify for any public funding. The Bears unveiled plans to build a new stadium on the city's lakefront in April, as part of a years-long process by the NFL franchise to replace Soldier Field with a state-of-the-art venue that would allow Chicago to host major sporting events like the Super Bowl and the NCAA Final Four. The team is also asking for more than $2 billion in taxpayer funding for the $4.6 billion project. The bill was filed in the General Assembly on Thursday, February 6th, by Rep. Bob Morgan (D-58th Dist.). In September, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to the idea of using public funding on a new Bears stadium saying, 'We want Illinois businesses to do well. This is a privately owned business. If I can find some way to assist, great! But right now, there is no building any new stadiums.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois lawmakers renew push for permanent daylight saving time
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Illinois lawmakers are once again pushing to make daylight saving time permanent, a move that would end the need to change the clocks twice a year. Two Illinois lawmakers, Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyvile) and Rep. Bob Morgan (D-Deerfield), have introduced legislation that would make daylight saving time 'the year-round standard time in the entire state.' Legal fees soar past $130k in court fight to pick St. Louis County prosecutor The bills, which contain nearly identical language, aim to eliminate the two yearly clock changes in March and November by making daylight saving time permanent. If approved, the change could take effect in March 2026, provided it aligns with federal regulations. Both bills (HB 1400 and HB 0039) have advanced to the Illinois House Rules Committee, though similar proposals have stalled there in recent years. Because of that, it remains unclear whether either measure will gain enough support to move forward. The debate over daylight saving time continues to be a hot-button topic in many states. Supporters may feel that more daylight in the evening hours could benefit businesses and improve public safety, while opponents warn of potential disruptions to time zones and sleeping patterns. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The Uniform Time Act of 1966, approved by U.S. President Lyndon Johnson, created Daylight Saving Time to begin on the last Sunday of April and end on the last Sunday of October. The annual observance has been modified to begin in early-March and end in early-November in recent years, though not all states recognize the annual time changes. In any case that Illinois were to pass a law for a permanent daylight saving change, it would still need to comply with federal laws. States that didn't previously make a change around a Congressional Amendment in 1972 would need approval from U.S. Congress to otherwise make the change a reality. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
