Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Torres Straits'
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1
Arthur, William Stewart, and William Arthur@anu edu au. "Torres Strait Islanders and Autonomy: a Borderline Case." The Australian National University. Crawford School of Economics and Government, 2006. http://thesis.anu.edu.au./public/adt-ANU20070612.114556.
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During 1996 and 1997 an Australian parliamentary committee conducted an inquiry into greater autonomy for Torres Strait Islanders, but by 2000 the future of the issue seemed unclear. This thesis explores what the notion of autonomy has meant for Torres Strait and for Torres Strait Islanders in the past, and what it might mean in the future. The thesis uses material from the period before European contact to just after the end of the parliamentary inquiry.
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Several analytical tools were utilised to explore the concept of autonomy. Major among these to propose and then analyse the relationship between autonomys economic and political components. The thesis also introduces the paired concepts of negative and positive autonomy to provide a counterpoint to ideas of welfare colonialism. Cross cutting these economic and political elements is a consideration of both regional and corporate forms of autonomy. The thesis argues that it is necessary to consider the factors which people can use to legitimise a case for autonomy and these are identified and discussed.
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Although previous research and historical material are utilised, unique parts of the thesis include an analysis of: the formal submissions and hearings associated with the parliamentary inquiry; the Torres Straits location between Australia and Papua New Guinea; and the Straits small-island make-up. In this latter regard, comparisons are made with models and examples of autonomy found in small island states and territories in the Pacific.
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The findings include that we must consider two groups of Torres Strait Islanders, those in Torres Strait and those on mainland Australia. Whereas those in the Strait have been able to legitimise a case for a form of autonomy those on the mainland have not. Islanders in the Strait have achieved a degree of regional autonomy; those on the mainland are unable to make a case to be part of this regional autonomy, or to achieve a form of corporate autonomy. The status of Islanders in the Strait is influenced by several factors including the Straits location on the border with Papua New Guinea, the associated Treaty with that country, and the nature and the accessibility of the in-shore fishery. A major finding however is that although Islanders have achieved a degree of regional political autonomy, which may be progressed yet further, they have been unable to embrace non-Indigenous people within this. Their present aspiration for regional political autonomy therefore is limited to one that would apply only to Indigenous-specific affairs. This stands in some conflict with their aspiration for regional economic autonomy which would include their control over the entire regional fishery which they presently share with non-Islanders.
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Though Islanders have achieved some degree of political autonomy, they depend on substantial government financial transfers to the region. Despite this they have also achieved some economic autonomy, particularly through being involved in the regions fishery. Juxtaposing negative and positive autonomy with political and economic autonomy shows that a dependence on government economic transfers does not preclude gains in political autonomy. This can be contrasted with the notion of welfare colonialism.
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Aldrich, Rosemary Public Health & Community Medicine Faculty of Medicine UNSW. "Flesh-coloured bandaids: politics, discourse, policy and the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 1972-2001." Awarded by:University of New South Wales. School of Public Health and Community Medicine, 2006. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/27276.
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This thesis concerns the relationship between ideology, values, beliefs, politics, language, discourses, public policy and health outcomes. By examining the origins of federal health policy concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples 1972-2001 I have explored the idea that the way a problem is constructed through language determines solutions enacted to solve that problem, and subsequent outcomes. Despite three decades of federal policy activity Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children born at the start of the 21st Century could expect to live almost 20 years less than non-Indigenous Australians. Explanations for the gap include that the colonial legacy of dispossession and disease continues to wreak social havoc and that both health policy and structures for health services have been fundamentally flawed. The research described in this thesis focuses on the role of senior Federal politicians in the health policy process. The research is grounded in theory which suggests that the values and beliefs of decision makers are perpetuated through language. Using critical discourse analysis the following hypotheses were tested: 1. That an examination of the language of Federal politicians responsible for the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples over three decades would reveal their beliefs, values and discourses concerning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their health 2. That the discourses of the Federal politicians contributed to policy discourses and frames in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy environment, and 3. That there is a relationship between the policy discourses of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health policy environment and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The hypotheses were proven. I concluded that there was a relationship between the publicly-expressed values and beliefs of politicians responsible for health, subsequent health policy and resulting health outcomes. However, a model in which theories of discourse, social constructions of people and problems, policy development and organisational decision-making were integrated did not adequately explain the findings. I developed the concept of "policy imagination" to explain the discrete mechanism by which ideology, politics, policy and health were related. My research suggests that the ideology and values which drove decision-making by Federal politicians responsible for the health of all Australians contributed to the lack of population-wide improvement in health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the late 20th Century.
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Arthur, William Stewart. "Torres Strait Islanders and autonomy : a borderline case /." View thesis entry in Australian Digital Theses, 2005. http://thesis.anu.edu.au/public/adt-ANU20070612.114556/index.html.
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Philp, Jude. "Resonance : Torres Strait material culture and history." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 1998. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.411074.
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Sharp, Nonie. "Stars of Tagai : the Torres Strait islanders /." Canberra : Aboriginal studies press, 1993. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb374246858.
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Th. Ph. D., 1984. Titre de soutenance : Springs of originality among the Torres Strait islanders : after the storm-winds the leafing of the wongai tree.Bibliogr. p. 283-300. Notes bibliogr. Glossaire. Index.
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McLeod, Abby. "Towards an understanding of musical variation in Torres Strait : an analysis of songs performed by two Torres Strait Islander singers /." Title page, contents and conclusion only, 1996. http://web4.library.adelaide.edu.au/theses/09MUB/09mubm165.pdf.
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Thesis (B. Mus.(Hons.))--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Music Studies, 1996.A loose leaved appendix of Transcriptions in back pocket (31 leaves). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 69-71).
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Rieländer, Klaus. "Fernsehen der australischen Aborigines und Torres Strait Islanders /." Bonn : Holos, 1993. http://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb374501668.
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Pitt, George Henry. "The Indigenous history and colonial politics of Torres Strait: contesting culture and resources from 1867 to 1990." Thesis, Curtin University, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/1165.
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The aim of my study is to comprehend why there is a significant gap in the economic development of Torres Strait. It questions why it is that Torres Strait Islanders as a whole remain largely economically unproductive in their present situation in contrast to the political beliefs of Islanders and their struggles for self-determination. It questions why Island leaders continue to accept policies of external control even though the guidelines for self development maintain the situation, rather than transforming it. Thus this thesis examines contemporary and traditional history of the Torres Strait in order to analyse and evaluate the development of the political structures of the Islands and how colonialism has influenced the politics of Torres Strait Islanders. I shift through the recorded layers of myths and legends for my interpretation and analyse the ethnographic accounts about Torres Strait from past archival reports, academic literature and the oral accounts from interviews. From the local media, I have examined the recent views of both the contented and discontented Islanders and other people reported in the local Torres News. From these records, I bring into perspective the historical processes of a capitalist economic system which has so deeply penetrated Islander culture.Commencing in the 1860s, at the onset of the Torres Strait beche-de-mer and pearl shell industry, the system has so failed Torres Strait Islanders' social development that it moved Islander leaders in the 1980s to push for cessation from Australia and, in the mid 1900s to seek "autonomy and self government" to remain within the Australian political system. In this thesis, I use this evidence to bring into perspective the concept of development with awareness to the colonial history of Torres Strait in comparison with oral history interpreted as the culture of my people. The theme my thesis implicates the contestation between Torres Strait Islanders and governments who impose administrative policies through the Islander system of political representation (regarding Islander culture and resources).
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Norman, Karma C. "Grasping Adubad : Badulgal management, tenure, knowledge and harvest within the marine environment of the Torres Strait /." Thesis, Connect to this title online; UW restricted, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/1773/6547.
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Pitt, George Henry. "The Indigenous history and colonial politics of Torres Strait: contesting culture and resources from 1867 to 1990." Curtin University of Technology, Dept. of Social Sciences, Division of Humanities, 2005. http://espace.library.curtin.edu.au:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=18528.
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The aim of my study is to comprehend why there is a significant gap in the economic development of Torres Strait. It questions why it is that Torres Strait Islanders as a whole remain largely economically unproductive in their present situation in contrast to the political beliefs of Islanders and their struggles for self-determination. It questions why Island leaders continue to accept policies of external control even though the guidelines for self development maintain the situation, rather than transforming it. Thus this thesis examines contemporary and traditional history of the Torres Strait in order to analyse and evaluate the development of the political structures of the Islands and how colonialism has influenced the politics of Torres Strait Islanders. I shift through the recorded layers of myths and legends for my interpretation and analyse the ethnographic accounts about Torres Strait from past archival reports, academic literature and the oral accounts from interviews. From the local media, I have examined the recent views of both the contented and discontented Islanders and other people reported in the local Torres News. From these records, I bring into perspective the historical processes of a capitalist economic system which has so deeply penetrated Islander culture.Commencing in the 1860s, at the onset of the Torres Strait beche-de-mer and pearl shell industry, the system has so failed Torres Strait Islanders' social development that it moved Islander leaders in the 1980s to push for cessation from Australia and, in the mid 1900s to seek "autonomy and self government" to remain within the Australian political system. In this thesis, I use this evidence to bring into perspective the concept of development with awareness to the colonial history of Torres Strait in comparison with oral history interpreted as the culture of my people. The theme my thesis implicates the contestation between Torres Strait Islanders and governments who impose administrative policies through the Islander system of political representation (regarding Islander culture and resources).
11
McMaster, John. "Yumi pedagogy: pedagogy with cultural integrity in the Torres Strait." University of Southern Queensland, Faculty of Education, 2006. http://eprints.usq.edu.au/archive/00006230/.
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[The Mariner's Chart]I've chosen to use the metaphor of the mariners chart to highlight the characteristics that are the essential elements of this study. This metaphor also sits comfortably with the Torres Strait Islander people, both historically and contemporaneously. The document '(IN) THE BEGINNING: The mariner’s chart to the folio’, represents the chart which enables readers ofthis study to 'navigate' their individual progress through the study in ways that reflect the reader's motivation/s. As with most maritime voyages, destinations can be reached via a number of different routes. These routes will be partially determined by motivations including tides, winds, directness, the skill of the navigator and the whim of the skipper. These motivations also apply to any reading of this study. The essential starting point will bedetermined initially by reference to the chart. Being made aware of the elements of the folio (logs of the various voyages) will influence where the reader goes from there; in other words, what folio elements (logs of the voyages) the reader will go to first and the order they chooseto follow, subsequent to that. There is no necessary order in which the logs of the various voyages should be read, following the initial reference to the 'chart'.The mariner's chart identifies low water marks, channel markers, reefs, sandbanks, and unseen obstacles. These represent only a handful of the dangers the reader (mariner) will face on the voyage. Likewise the study has its share of 'dangers', both seen and unseen. Thewhole nature of the study is in a sense, dangerous. I anticipate that any reading of the study will necessarily reflect the idiosyncrasies of the reader, so that the conclusions that I have reached, represent only one view of the data. The identification of the data itself reflects a level of interpretation that is also very personal, highlighting the reality that others(readers/mariners) may see greater significance in aspects of the recorded data that the author has not. The log of the voyage, My Journey An Autobiographical Narrative, clearly identifies a very personal journey or series of journeys, all of which reflect a range of reefs and sandbars that the author has sometimes been stranded on, between tides, giving time for reflection on actions that have either proven unsuccessful or are cause for quietcontemplation. Each of the folio elements reflects this metaphoric mix of danger and clear passage, in many different ways and at many different levels, inviting the individual and equally legitimate reactions of each reader.Whilst Torres Strait Islanders historically navigated by the stars and the seasons today, electronic navigation charts have tended to replace these important and culturally significant practices. Torres Strait people have metaphorically experienced being stranded on reefs andshoals and being wrecked, especially in terms of the education processes they have been exposed to, by virtue of this cultural shift. The process, educationally, of replacing the reliable historic (navigation) practices of Torres Strait Islanders with contemporary, western(navigation charts) practices has frequently resulted in confusion, frustration and a failure to produce successful educational outcomes for Torres Strait Islanders - clear passage to the future. The reasons for this situation are explored in greater depth in this study.With these explanations in mind then, the reader is invited to engage on their own voyage through this study.
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Ghaleb, Barbara. "An ethnoarchaeological study of Mabuiag Island, Torres Strait, Northern Australia." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.245190.
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Hodes, Jeremy. "Torres Strait Islander migration to Cairns before World War II." [S.l. : s.n.], 1998. http://catalog.hathitrust.org/api/volumes/oclc/44839600.html.
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Thesis (Master of Letters)--Central Queensland University, 1998."A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Letters in History. Central Queensland University." Cover title.
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Ewing, Bronwyn. "Recognising Torres Strait Islander Women’s Knowledges in their Children’s Mathematics Education." Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2012. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-79697.
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This paper discusses women’s involvement in their children’s mathematics education. It does, where possible, focus Torres Strait Islander women who share the aspirations of Aborginal communities around Australia. That is, they are keen for their children to receive an education that provides them with opportunities for their present and future lives. They are also keen to have their cultures’ child learning practices recognised and respected within mainstream education. This recognition has some way to go with the language of instruction in schools written to English conventions, decontextualised and disconnected to the students’ culture, Community and home language.
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Hall, Kerry K. "Acute respiratory illness in urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2017. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/110528/1/Kerry_Hall_Thesis.pdf.
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This thesis is the first to comprehensively evaluate Acute Respiratory Illness with Cough (ARIwC) in urban, predominantly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, children. It identified a community experiencing significant disadvantage and a concerning burden of ARIwC. Positive findings include the frequent presentation to primary health care, continuity of primary health care provider, and knowledge of when cough is abnormal; factors that are all critical to the success of interventions and further research to reduce the burden of disease.
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Adams, Michael John. "Sexual and reproductive health problems among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2007. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/16599/1/Michael_John_Adams_Thesis.pdf.
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Compared to males in almost any social group in all affluent nations, Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men suffer from substantially more serious illnesses and early death. To date, research done by or in collaboration with Indigenous communities has revealed the extent of the problems that arise from diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancers, respiratory diseases, psychological disorders, accidental injuries, violence and other causes. Reproductive health, however, rarely has been studied among Indigenous men. To date, research in this field has been limited mainly to studies of sexually transmitted infections. No data has been published on Aboriginal men's symptoms of prostate disease or erectile dysfunction, nor has the clinical screening and treatment of these disorders among these men been assessed. In-depth search of the worldwide web demonstrated that little information on these issues was available from other Indigenous populations. It does appear that Indigenous men in Australia, New Zealand and North America are less likely than European-ancestry men to die from prostate cancer, or for living cases to be recorded on cancer registries. This may arise because Indigenous men genuinely have a lower risk, or because they are not captured by official statistics, or because they do not live long enough to develop severe prostate disease. We also know very little about other reproductive health problems such as sexual dysfunction and specifically erectile difficulties. One reason for our scant knowledge is that research mainly relies on self-report of sensitive information. The aim of the research study was to improve the understanding of sexual and reproductive health problems experienced by Indigenous men. This is best gathered by Aboriginal males who are inside the culture of middleaged and older Indigenous men, but until now this has not been attempted. In this study we adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) definitions for Reproductive and Sexual Health (WHO, 2001). Thus, we consider reproductive system disorders (prostate disease, erectile dysfunction) and related health care-seeking, and also men's perceptions about a "satisfying and safe sexual life". The methodology was framed within an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research protocol that advocates respect for cultural, social and community customs. A mixed method design combined qualitative inquiry (4 focus groups and 18 in-depth interviews) and quantitative survey (n=301) involving men living in remote, rural and urban communities (Tiwi Islands, Darwin and north and south-east Queensland). Survey data were compared to recently published self-reports from 5990 randomly selected men aged over 40 years in Australia (Holden et al., 2005, The Lancet, 366, 218-224. The qualitative interviews revealed that most men were silent about reproductive health. They were unwilling to reveal their inner feelings to wives or partners, and they were unwilling to discuss such issues with doctors and other health care workers. Men's reaction to sexual difficulties included shame, denial, substance abuse and occasionally violence. On a positive note many men said they want to learn about it, so they understand how to cope with such problems. The Indigenous men reported symptoms of erectile dysfunction at least as much as non-Indigenous men in other Australian studies. Bivariate analysis showed that erectile dysfunction was correlated with many health and lifestyle variable. However multivariate analysis revealed that only three factors significantly predicted ED: presence of chronic disease, presence of pain when working, and living in a remote geographic location The quantitative survey data indicate that Indigenous men have more symptoms of prostate disease than non-Indigenous men. The syndrome appears to be poorly managed in clinical practice (e.g. rates of PSA testing and digital-rectal examination are only one-third the rate reported by non-Aboriginal men, despite equivalent likelihood of GP visits). The research study adds to the literature by providing better insight and depth into the issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males experiencing reproductive and sexual health difficulties. It also provides a platform to undertake comprehensive research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to explore a wider spectrum of questions in this important but neglected area. Implications for education of primary healthcare workers and community-based awareness campaigns for Indigenous males are discussed. Most of all, this study revealed "layers" of silence around sexual and reproductive health of Indigenous men. This includes silence in the scientific establishments in health services, and in the community. It is hoped that this study puts the voices of the men forward to help to break down this silence.
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Adams, Michael John. "Sexual and reproductive health problems among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males." Queensland University of Technology, 2007. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/16599/.
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Compared to males in almost any social group in all affluent nations, Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men suffer from substantially more serious illnesses and early death. To date, research done by or in collaboration with Indigenous communities has revealed the extent of the problems that arise from diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, cancers, respiratory diseases, psychological disorders, accidental injuries, violence and other causes. Reproductive health, however, rarely has been studied among Indigenous men. To date, research in this field has been limited mainly to studies of sexually transmitted infections. No data has been published on Aboriginal men's symptoms of prostate disease or erectile dysfunction, nor has the clinical screening and treatment of these disorders among these men been assessed. In-depth search of the worldwide web demonstrated that little information on these issues was available from other Indigenous populations. It does appear that Indigenous men in Australia, New Zealand and North America are less likely than European-ancestry men to die from prostate cancer, or for living cases to be recorded on cancer registries. This may arise because Indigenous men genuinely have a lower risk, or because they are not captured by official statistics, or because they do not live long enough to develop severe prostate disease. We also know very little about other reproductive health problems such as sexual dysfunction and specifically erectile difficulties. One reason for our scant knowledge is that research mainly relies on self-report of sensitive information. The aim of the research study was to improve the understanding of sexual and reproductive health problems experienced by Indigenous men. This is best gathered by Aboriginal males who are inside the culture of middleaged and older Indigenous men, but until now this has not been attempted. In this study we adopted the World Health Organization (WHO) definitions for Reproductive and Sexual Health (WHO, 2001). Thus, we consider reproductive system disorders (prostate disease, erectile dysfunction) and related health care-seeking, and also men's perceptions about a "satisfying and safe sexual life". The methodology was framed within an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research protocol that advocates respect for cultural, social and community customs. A mixed method design combined qualitative inquiry (4 focus groups and 18 in-depth interviews) and quantitative survey (n=301) involving men living in remote, rural and urban communities (Tiwi Islands, Darwin and north and south-east Queensland). Survey data were compared to recently published self-reports from 5990 randomly selected men aged over 40 years in Australia (Holden et al., 2005, The Lancet, 366, 218-224. The qualitative interviews revealed that most men were silent about reproductive health. They were unwilling to reveal their inner feelings to wives or partners, and they were unwilling to discuss such issues with doctors and other health care workers. Men's reaction to sexual difficulties included shame, denial, substance abuse and occasionally violence. On a positive note many men said they want to learn about it, so they understand how to cope with such problems. The Indigenous men reported symptoms of erectile dysfunction at least as much as non-Indigenous men in other Australian studies. Bivariate analysis showed that erectile dysfunction was correlated with many health and lifestyle variable. However multivariate analysis revealed that only three factors significantly predicted ED: presence of chronic disease, presence of pain when working, and living in a remote geographic location The quantitative survey data indicate that Indigenous men have more symptoms of prostate disease than non-Indigenous men. The syndrome appears to be poorly managed in clinical practice (e.g. rates of PSA testing and digital-rectal examination are only one-third the rate reported by non-Aboriginal men, despite equivalent likelihood of GP visits). The research study adds to the literature by providing better insight and depth into the issues impacting on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males experiencing reproductive and sexual health difficulties. It also provides a platform to undertake comprehensive research with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men to explore a wider spectrum of questions in this important but neglected area. Implications for education of primary healthcare workers and community-based awareness campaigns for Indigenous males are discussed. Most of all, this study revealed "layers" of silence around sexual and reproductive health of Indigenous men. This includes silence in the scientific establishments in health services, and in the community. It is hoped that this study puts the voices of the men forward to help to break down this silence.
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Nakata, Martin N. "The cultural interface: an exploration of the intersection of Western knowledge systems and Torres Strait Islanders positions and experiences." Thesis, Online version, 1997. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/11908/11/JCU_11908_Nakata_1997_thesis.pdf.
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This thesis is a study of the intersection of Western knowledge systems and Islander positions and experiences as they are inscribed in the literature on Torres Strait Islanders. By exploring and charting processes in the production of knowledges on Torres Strait Islanders over the last Century, this thesis has sought to understand what conditions the possibilities for Islanders in a Western order of things and to learn about whether historical relations between us, as formed discursively in the literature between Islanders and non-Islanders, constrain educational possibilities for Islanders.
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Nakata, Martin N. "The cultural interface : an exploration of the intersection of Western knowledge systems and Torres Strait Islanders positions and experiences /." Online version, 1997. http://bibpurl.oclc.org/web/22615.
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Grootjans, John, of Western Sydney Hawkesbury University, and of Health Humanities and Social Ecology Faculty. "Both ways and beyond : in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker education." THESIS_FHHSE_SEL_Grootjans_J.xml, 1999. http://handle.uws.edu.au:8081/1959.7/445.
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During 1987 my essential beliefs about the nature of the world were challenged by a chance event which led to my arrival in Arnhemland. Working with Aboriginal people allowed me to see first hand the failings of Western ideas in Aboriginal education and health. This is how a 12 year collaboration with Aboriginal people began. The aim was to search for answers to the question, 'Why so many ideas that had been successfully used in the Western world, fail to meet the needs of aboriginal people? My experiences prior to 1995 had led me to believe that Both Ways, an education pedagogy developed in teacher education, was the best approach for empowering Aboriginal Health Workers. I believed Both Ways gave Aboriginal Health Workers a means to develop solutions to aboriginal health issues which valued and respected their aboriginal knowledge. I needed to describe and evaluate the practice of both ways with Aboriginal Health workers for the purpose of proving the benefit of this pedagogy for other educators in this field. This thesis describes how I came to think Both Ways was a good idea; how I defined Both ways; and how I put it into practice. It also provides a description of the issues raised in my critique of Both Ways and in my attempts to provide answers to these issues. Several years of collecting data, including records from action research group discussions, participant observation, interviews with peers and students, and formal evaluations left me with many concerns about Both Ways. As educators follow my journey of discovery I hope that they will recognise experiences and insights that they themselves have shared. The descriptions and discussions in this thesis will add significantly to the overall discourse about health worker education. Similarly, the exploration of ideas beyond Both Ways will add significantly to the overall body knowledge about the power relationships involved in teaching in a cross cultural settingDoctor of Philosophy (PhD)
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Peacock, Janice, and n/a. "Inner Weavings: Cultural Appropriateness for a Torres Strait Island Woman Artist of Today." Griffith University. Queensland College of Art, 2006. http://www4.gu.edu.au:8080/adt-root/public/adt-QGU20070327.140720.
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This exegesis examines the context of my studio work submitted for the degree of Doctor of Visual Art at Griffith University in 2004. My art practice reflects my identity, which is complex and many-stranded, but at its core is my identity as a 21st century woman of Torres Strait Islander descent. I also acknowledge multiple heritages and, like many of my contemporaries, I am a descendant of those two thirds of the Torres Strait population who now live on the Australian mainland. Having been born and brought up on the mainland also means that I am connected to, and have been affected by, wider Australian Indigenous issues, particularly those resulting from the alienation and dislocation which stem from colonialism. Therefore, as I draw from both traditional and contemporary modes and theory to explore the appropriateness of my art practice, this exegesis centres on the question: What constitutes culturally appropriate practice for me as a contemporary Torres Strait Island woman?
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Hart, Deirdre E. Physical Environmental & Mathematical Sciences Australian Defence Force Academy UNSW. "Eco-sedimentological environments of an inter-tidal reef platform, Warraber Island, Torres Strait." Awarded by:University of New South Wales - Australian Defence Force Academy. School of Physical, Environmental and Mathematical Sciences, 2003. http://handle.unsw.edu.au/1959.4/38731.
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This thesis examines functional relationships between the morphologic, hydrodynamic, ecological and sedimentological characteristics of the Warraber reef platform, an inter-tidal reef island system, Central Torres Strait, Australia (10[degrees] 12??? S, 142 [degrees] 49??? E). Hydrodynamic and sediment-transport experiments were conducted on the reef flat using current meters, water level recorders and directional sediment traps. Results showed dominantly SE flows during the dry season and more variable NW to SE flows during the wet season. Topography and reefal water levels modulated the direction and strength of currents and the generation of wind-waves on the reef flat as well as the passage of waves over the reef rim. These hydrodynamic conditions are sufficient to induce significant transport of moderately fast to slow settling sediment (>-5.25 symbol psi) on the reef flat, though the platform as a whole is a relatively closed transport system. Carbonate production was estimated based on the key ecological variables of live assemblage distribution and cover. Overall, only 24% of the reef flat was occupied by carbonate-producing organisms. The average estimated carbonate-production rate for the reef was 1.6 kgm -2y-1 (0.07-4.37 kgm-2y-1). Production is dominated by coral (73%), with subordinate proportions contributed by coralline algae (19%). And molluscs, foraminifera and Halimeda (<4%) though actual reef-flat sediments did not reflect this potential. Instead, they were dominated by molluscs (35-55%), coralline algae (16-26%), coral (8-13%), Halimeda (7-8%) and foraminifera (5-10%). Differential rates of carbonate to sediment conversion meant the reef-platform sediments were more closely related to the cover of live organisms than to the contribution of carbonate production by each parent organism. The settling properties of the least altered particles of the five commonest constituents were measured and these provided the basis for an eco-sedimentological model of the reef-platform system. Modelled textures were compared to the actual textures, indicating the degree of textural alteration resulting from a combination of biological and physical processes, including sediment production, hydraulic sorting and mechanical breakdown. This analysis, integrated with the hydrodynamic, exposure and other data, was used to determine reef-platform surface-sediment sources, sinks and transport pathways. In using both the textual and constituent compositional properties of sediments, as well as information on local biological and physical processes, the model approach developed offers progress towards an integrative, interdisciplinary analysis of carbonate environments.
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Grootjans, John. "Both ways and beyond : in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health worker education /." View thesis, 1999. http://library.uws.edu.au/adt-NUWS/public/adt-NUWS20030725.103057/index.html.
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Hogarth, Melitta Dorn. "A critical analysis of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2015. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/89754/1/Melitta_Hogarth_Thesis.pdf.
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This study involves the analysis of one of the most recent Indigenous Education policies, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Action Plan 2010-2014 (MCEECDYA, 2011). It examines how the language used within policy positions Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Articulating Rigney's (1999) Indigenist Research Principles with Fairclough's (2001) Critical Discourse Analysis provides a platform for critical dialogues about policy decision-making. In doing so, this articulation enables and emphasises the need for potential policy revision to contribute to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander struggle for self-determination.
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Ewing, Bronwyn. "Meeting under the "Omei" Tree in the Torres Strait Islands: Networks and Funds of Knowledge of Mathematical Ideas." Saechsische Landesbibliothek- Staats- und Universitaetsbibliothek Dresden, 2012. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bsz:14-qucosa-82480.
Full text
26
Hodes, Jeremy Martin, and hodes@tpg com au. "John Douglas 1828-1904: The Uncompromising Liberal." Central Queensland University. Humanities, 2006. http://library-resources.cqu.edu.au./thesis/adt-QCQU/public/adt-QCQU20070228.145456.
Full textAbstract:
Douglas was born in London in 1828 and migrated to New South Wales in 1851 where he represented both the Darling Downs and Camden districts in the New South Wales parliament before
embarking on a lengthy parliamentary career in Queensland, one that culminated in the premiership from 1877 to 1879. He was
subsequently appointed government resident for Thursday Island in 1885, a position he held until his death, nearly 20 years later, aged
76, in 1904. During this period he also served as special commissioner for the protectorate of British New Guinea, administering the territory prior to it being formally proclaimed a
crown colony.
Douglass involvement in Queensland public life was significant and encompassed the entire period from the colonys formation in 1859 to
the federation of the Australian colonies in 1901. In this respect, his career allows, through a study of his long, eventful and varied life, for
this thesis to examine aspects of the development and progression of Queenslands political system as a nascent yet robust, representative
democracy, through most of the second half of the nineteenth century until the colonys incorporation in the newly formed
Commonwealth of Australia.
This thesis argues that John Douglas was an uncompromising Liberal in an age of Liberalism, a principled politician in an era of pragmatic factionalism and shifting political allegiances. Perhapsbecause of this he was more popular with his electorate than with his parliamentary colleagues.
Douglass contribution to Queensland life was in large measure shaped by his character and the formative influences on it. This included his aristocratic upbringing, his public school and university education, his abiding religious faith, a profound sense of fair play, and a desire to participate fully and selflessly in the life of the community he lived in, despite the vicissitudes of his personal life.
As this thesis further demonstrates, an examination of Douglass life affords us an insight into an energetic, accomplished, erudite, and compassionate man. Yet while his intellectual curiosity, thirst for knowledge and wide-ranging interests marked him as a Renaissance man, he also had many failings, most noticeably that of extreme obstinacy. Therefore, this thesis will analyse Douglass convictions and beliefs while examining the strengths and flaws inherent in his
character. It is because Douglas lived a life characterised by complexity and contradiction, leavened by a mixture of accomplishment and failure, that his life, and the times he lived in,
are worthy of examination.
27
Davis, Jenny, and n/a. ""Principal, he's the boss": power, culture and schooling on Saibai in the Torres Strait Islands." University of Canberra. Professional & Community Education, 2000. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20060427.084424.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examines issues of power, culture and schooling as they apply
to an indigenous community located on Saibai Island in the Torres Strait
of northern Australia. The thesis combines literature research with
ethnography to consider Saibaian schooling in various contexts. These
include the history of schooling in the region, the relevant educational
literature and the actual physical and social contexts of schooling on
Saibai. Early chapters deal with methodology, history and educational
literature. Later chapters deal with ethnographic material using the
themes of separation, culture and collaborative decision-making to
organise the data. The work of Michel Foucault informs the analytical
approach to issues of power. Hence power is considered to be ubiquitous,
productive and linked to issues of knowledge and culture. School
principals are identified as key figures in schooling and therefore play a
major role in the thesis. As the principals are all men of non-Islander
(anglo) backgrounds, this thesis represents a significant break from works
within the realm of indigenous education that are heavily influenced by
cultural anthropology and tend to focus only on the Aboriginal or Islander
participants as objects of study.
The thesis considers how Saibaian people are excluded from schooling
through various techniques and practices that tend to place the principal in
a position of autocracy vis a vis the school. Furthermore, I show how
various schooling practices that aim to include community members in
schooling are shaped and transformed such that they actually serve to
entrench the principal in his position of control over schooling. This
applies even in the way that cultural activities are incorporated into the
school illustrating that no aspect of schooling is immune to relations of
power. Indeed, the notion of Saibaian Islanders belonging to a unique
cultural group is used by some principals to argue that they are unsuited to
roles within the school's decision-making process. Ultimately, then, this
thesis is about relations between school principals and community
members in the context of schooling on Saibai Island.
28
Simone, Nicole R. "Teachers perspectives of embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' histories and cultures in mathematics." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/227459/1/Nicole_Simone_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis explored how six teachers of mathematics embedded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Histories and Cultures into the core mathematics curriculum. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, then written transcripts were analysed through the use of Bernstein’s Theory of Pedagogic Discourse. Teachers shared their perspectives on how they have developed their cultural capabilities, and how this has informed culturally responsive teaching of mathematics. Recommendations are made for how to support in-service teachers with their personal cultural capabilities to authentically embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ Histories and Cultures in mathematics curriculum.
29
Shepherd, Carrington C. J. "The socioeconomic pattern of health and developmental outcomes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children." Thesis, Curtin University, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/712.
Full textAbstract:
The pervasive health and social disadvantage faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is an acknowledged part of Australian society. The contemporary data reveal striking inequalities between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians in most measurable aspects of wellbeing across the life cycle. This reflects a postcolonial history of marginalisation and exclusion from mainstream society, dispossession of traditional lands, forced separation from family and kinship networks, and racism. Despite an increased awareness and disapproval of these inequalities in health, the inequalities persist.The lack of progress in the face of public disapproval and progressive government support underscores the fact that we still do not adequately understand the fundamental causes of Indigenous ill health and disease. A small body of research in Australia has highlighted that socioeconomic status (SES) accounts for a portion of the gap in health but this does not imply that they account for health differences within Indigenous population groups. A robust international literature has consistently shown that socioeconomic factors influence population health. These factors reflect the way in which society is ordered according to wealth, prestige, power, social standing or one’s control over economic resources, and their pattern of association with health has almost always depicted better health for those who are better off— that is, the health of population groups normally follows a gradient pattern. Despite the ubiquity of this observation in the empirical literature, there is uncertainty as to whether it applies to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations in Australia.Accordingly, this thesis has aimed to assess the pattern of socioeconomic disparities in the health and development of Indigenous populations in Australia, with a specific focus on children. The three key objectives were to: • Describe the developmental status of Indigenous children and the mechanisms that influence this status; • Determine the pattern of association between socioeconomic factors and physical and mental health outcomes; and • Reveal the significant differences (and similarities) in the socioeconomic pattern of child health between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, and articulate these in terms of their direction, shape and magnitude.The objectives of the study were primarily assessed using a quantitative analytic framework applied to four existing population-representative datasets: the 2008 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, the 2000–2002 Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey, the 2004–05 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey and 2004–05 National Health Survey. Simple univariate and cross-tabulation data were used to describe population characteristics, while the relationships between socioeconomic indicators and health outcomes were assessed using a range of regression techniques. Multilevel models are an important feature of this study, and have enabled a more accurate estimation of the effects of individual and area-level measures of SES on health. Generalised Additive Models were used to account for the possible non-linear nature of associations between continuous SES variables and physical health outcomes, with results presented as non-parametric spline curves. The mechanisms linking SES and mental health were explored using a stepwise approach to the regression analysis. All data in all chapters were weighted to reflect population benchmarks.The findings highlighted that there were significant socioeconomic disparities in the health of Indigenous children in Australia, although the direction, shape and magnitude varied, by both socioeconomic measure and health outcome. While the socioeconomic patterns of Indigenous child health are not universal, they are more consistent for mental than physical health. In addition, the thesis has shown that both conventional and alternative notions of SES can influence health patterns. The largest disparities in child physical health were observed for area-level SES indicators, while housing characteristics and area-level SES both had a strong direct effect on child mental health.The thesis has demonstrated that the patterns of socioeconomic disparities in child health differ markedly in Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations—at least in non-remote settings. It was not uncommon for the magnitude of disparity to be larger in the Indigenous population. These findings lend support to the notion that socioeconomic factors have a differential impact on the health of Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. The implication of this for policy is that a single approach to stimulating socioeconomic conditions will not have equal benefits to child health outcomes in Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. While the evidence here underscores the validity of the well-worn edict that “one size does not fit all” in Indigenous health policy, it also reinforces the need to examine health disparities within and across Indigenous and other population groups in order to better inform policy and practiceCollectively, the results have provided clear evidence that socioeconomic factors matter to both the physical and mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. The diversity of findings implies that SES factors are one facet of the unique and complex set of factors that influence Aboriginal child health and wellbeing.This thesis has made several original contributions to the literature on social inequalities in Indigenous health in Australia and the broader field of social determinants of health. It is one of the few studies internationally to explicitly look at the socioeconomic patterning of health in an Indigenous population, and the first to examine these patterns among Indigenous children using population-representative data. In doing so, the study has begun to bridge the knowledge gap on social inequalities in Aboriginal health in Australia, and will facilitate a better grasp of the complex underlying mechanisms that determine Aboriginal health.For policy, this knowledge can lead to more effective government decision-making in terms of targeting social determinants of health that are of particular significance for Aboriginal populations. It is hoped that the findings of the thesis can provide directions for future research and insights to policy that will, ultimately, increase the pace of change toward health equity in Australia.
30
Miller, Melinda G. "Action for change? Embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in early childhood education curricula." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2013. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/60905/5/60905.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis focuses on non-Indigenous educators’ work around embedding Indigenous perspectives in early childhood education curricula. In place of reporting examples of ‘good’ educational practice, the study questions how whiteness and racism continue to operate in diversity work that is seen to be productive and inclusive. The thesis argues for a more comprehensive framework for embedding Indigenous perspectives in before-school contexts to support educators’ efforts. New strategies for professional development are also suggested to support changes in disciplinary knowledge and pedagogy.
31
Fairfoot, Glen. "Torres strait islander students' experiences transitioning from various locations to Brisbane to undertake university studies." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2020. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/197684/1/Glen_Fairfoot_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This research project was undertaken to ascertain what Torres Strait Islander students, who have relocated from various locations around Australia to Brisbane in order to attend university, report as having assisted them in their transition to a metropolitan area to undertake their university studies or suggest would have assisted them. The findings of this research contribute to knowledge about how current and future Torres Strait Islander students can be better supported to transition to university and improve their chances of success whilst at university.
32
Whatman, Susan Leigh. "'Wis Wei Youpla Health?' A case study of the nature and extent of community participation in health education decision-making for Torres Strait Islander girls at Bluewater High." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2004. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/15863/1/Susan_Whatman_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This dissertation seeks to investigate the nature and extent of community participation in health education decision making for Torres Strait Islander girls at one Queensland high school. As such, the study is concerned with identifying stakeholders in health education for girls, describing the ways in which stakeholders participate in health education decision-making, and identifying the factors that promote or inhibit community participation in health education decision-making.
The question presupposes several standpoints: firstly, that Indigenous communities want to participate in education decision-making and, secondly, that community participation would be desirable in producing good outcomes for Indigenous students. Thus, the literature review is concerned with critiquing discourses of community participation in Indigenous education, the effects on educational outcomes of Indigenous students when community participation is enabled, and reviewing previous research on educational decision-making in health education in Australia.
Given the necessity for emancipatory research methodology in Indigenous research contexts, a critical ethnographic case study approach was chosen to investigate the research questions at a high school in the Torres Strait; building a critical case record from field notes, interview data, and documents. Using Carspecken's (1996) stages of data analysis, primary records were reconstructed and dialogically negotiated with participants, to describe system relations. Such an approach allows for power and control relations between researchers and research participants to be explicated, giving voice to usually marginalised groups, such as Indigenous students. This approach was also congruent with specific Torres Strait Islander research protocols, informed by Ailan Kastom, which were necessary to sensitively and successfully undertake the research.
Data analysis was informed by a framework of Indigenous community participation theory, derived from Soliman (1995), Heslop (1998 ), Ministerial Advisory Council for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (1999) and Stewart (1999), together with curriculum theory, from Bernstein (1976; 1990; 2000). This approach constituted a unique adaptation of Bernstein's pedagogic discourse theory to a Torres Strait Islander educational setting.
The findings indicated that there was strong desire by community members, including students, to participate in health education decision-making at Bluewater High. However, the ability of different stakeholder groups to participate in health education varied, with teachers exercising the most power, and students the least. An in-depth, contextual analysis, in which pedagogic decision-making occurred, enabled a number of immediate and long-term recommendations to be developed. It is envisaged that these recommendations will enable greater community participation in health education decision-making for girls at Bluewater High, and more generally in other Indigenous educational settings.
33
Whatman, Susan Leigh. "'Wis Wei Youpla Health?' A case study of the nature and extent of community participation in health education decision-making for Torres Strait Islander girls at Bluewater High." Queensland University of Technology, 2004. http://eprints.qut.edu.au/15863/.
Full textAbstract:
This dissertation seeks to investigate the nature and extent of community participation in health education decision making for Torres Strait Islander girls at one Queensland high school. As such, the study is concerned with identifying stakeholders in health education for girls, describing the ways in which stakeholders participate in health education decision-making, and identifying the factors that promote or inhibit community participation in health education decision-making. The question presupposes several standpoints: firstly, that Indigenous communities want to participate in education decision-making and, secondly, that community participation would be desirable in producing good outcomes for Indigenous students. Thus, the literature review is concerned with critiquing discourses of community participation in Indigenous education, the effects on educational outcomes of Indigenous students when community participation is enabled, and reviewing previous research on educational decision-making in health education in Australia. Given the necessity for emancipatory research methodology in Indigenous research contexts, a critical ethnographic case study approach was chosen to investigate the research questions at a high school in the Torres Strait; building a critical case record from field notes, interview data, and documents. Using Carspecken's (1996) stages of data analysis, primary records were reconstructed and dialogically negotiated with participants, to describe system relations. Such an approach allows for power and control relations between researchers and research participants to be explicated, giving voice to usually marginalised groups, such as Indigenous students. This approach was also congruent with specific Torres Strait Islander research protocols, informed by Ailan Kastom, which were necessary to sensitively and successfully undertake the research. Data analysis was informed by a framework of Indigenous community participation theory, derived from Soliman (1995), Heslop (1998 ), Ministerial Advisory Council for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education (1999) and Stewart (1999), together with curriculum theory, from Bernstein (1976; 1990; 2000). This approach constituted a unique adaptation of Bernstein's pedagogic discourse theory to a Torres Strait Islander educational setting. The findings indicated that there was strong desire by community members, including students, to participate in health education decision-making at Bluewater High. However, the ability of different stakeholder groups to participate in health education varied, with teachers exercising the most power, and students the least. An in-depth, contextual analysis, in which pedagogic decision-making occurred, enabled a number of immediate and long-term recommendations to be developed. It is envisaged that these recommendations will enable greater community participation in health education decision-making for girls at Bluewater High, and more generally in other Indigenous educational settings.
34
Kirkwood, Sandra Jane. "Frameworks of culturally engaged community music practice in rural Ipswich." Thesis, Griffith University, 2009. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/132103/2/132103.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This study is a critical reflection on two music projects that I conducted in my home area of Ipswich, Australia, prior to undertaking this research. The music projects involved participatory action research to investigate the music heritage and culture of the rural Ipswich region. The purpose of this study is to review and analyse the creative processes that I used in the rural Ipswich music projects in order to develop suitable practice frameworks for similar projects in future. The first music project was a collaborative investigation of the music history of Purga in rural Ipswich (2003-2005). Local people and those who used to live in the area were invited to come back to share memories of the music from the area with one another. People collaborated creatively: This allowed me to write The Purga Music Story and Harold Blair (2005), an inter-generational community education package. In 2003, we established the Purga Music Museum as a meeting place where the music heritage and culture of our neighbourhood is performed and displayed. The second music project (2006) was a study of contemporary music in rural Ipswich that resulted in community consultation and the development of a Music Action Plan for the area. I continued facilitating community music in rural Ipswich, as the curator of the Purga Music Museum, until 2008. Both music projects presented different challenges in the establishment of processes that would be effective for the needs and interests of people from various cultural groups. The work was fraught with complex decisions and ethical dilemmas about representation and music cultural heritage management because our neighbourhood previously contained the Purga Aboriginal Mission (1915-1948). The findings therefore relate to the struggles of the ‘Stolen Generation’-- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were taken away from their families and forced to live in government-controlled residential situations. New, respectful approaches had to be found, conducive to the health and well-being of all concerned. For this reason, participatory action research methods were developed and a ‘Community of Discovery’ approach was used. Throughout this study, I investigate issues that arose as people told their music stories, and passed on music heritage and culture from one generation to the next. The key question is “What are appropriate frameworks of culturally engaged community music practice for rural Ipswich?” This study also draws on findings from the music projects to address the sub-questions, “How did community music practice function in the past in rural Ipswich?” “What is the current situation regarding contemporary community music practice in rural Ipswich?” and “What can be done to enhance future community music practice for rural Ipswich?” Aspects of music and health practice complement each other in this study. As a dual qualified music and health professional, I draw on expertise from both of these areas. Ethnographic methods were used to record and review the findings from each music project. The analysis is grounded in review of literature and other sources, creative display and performance, analysis of music history, community consultation, and critical reflection on my own community music practice. Finally, this evidence-based process of professional reasoning leads to the development of appropriate practice frameworks that transform the way that I intend to deliver services in future, and will hopefully inspire others. The thesis has five parts. The context and rationale for the research are outlined in Part 1. This is followed by description of the two music projects in Part 2. Part 3 is an exploration of how my music practice is situated in relation to scholarly literature (and other sources) and outlines the chosen theoretical constructs or models. This prepares for critical analysis and discussion of specific issues that arose from reflection on practice in Part 4. The conclusions of the research, presented in chapter 9, outline the creative processes, underlying principles, and the philosophy of my practice. The study concludes with an epilogue, which is a consideration of the present situation and suggested future directions for service provision and research.
35
Miller, Gregory P., and n/a. "Teacher education programs, at James Cook University of North Queensland, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students." University of Canberra. Education, 1988. http://erl.canberra.edu.au./public/adt-AUC20061110.103136.
Full textAbstract:
In this thesis I propose to address what are, in my
view, significant educational problems: how to tease out
and analyse those principles, concerning equity and social
justice, which underlie a particular program of teacher education. I want to discuss the kinds of principles,
issues and considerations which have to be faced when
designing such a program as the Diploma of Teaching (Early
Childhood Education) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander students at James Cook University. The issues I
will address are these:
(a) The extent to which the notion of equality of
educational opportunity is being addressed in the
provision of teacher-education programs in
Queensland in general, and James Cook University in
particular; (chapter 1).
(b) Ways in which the Diploma of Teaching (Early
Childhood Education) p r o g r am aims to produce
teachers able to act as agents of bi-cultural
transmission; (chapters 2 and 3).
(c) The value, usefulness and desirability of James
Cook University setting up a teacher-education
program specifically for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander students from geographically remote
communities, thus increasing the participation
rates of Aborigines and Islanders in teacher-education programs; (chapters 4 and 5).
This process of analysis has led me to structure the
thesis around three dimensions:
(i) The historical context of the program;
(ii) The program as one response to the problems
faced by educational institutions in meeting
the educational needs of Aboriginal people;
(iii) A basis for the next phase in the development
of new programs of teacher - education for
indigenous students living in remote
communities.
This is a qualitative research project, based on my
interpretation of available documentation, my use of
relevant literature, and my own involvement as planner of,
and teacher in the program. It is not a quantitative
research project. The structure of the thesis has, as its
introduction, an analysis of the extremely complex situation
which exists at James Cook University. This analysis leads
to a search for a set of principles to provide the
theoretical underpinning of the program, which in turn leads
through a combination of theory and practice to the "praxis"
of the program as a model of equity and educational practice
in teacher-education. The thesis is concluded by the
presentation of the current stage in the development of a
program for teacher-education students in remote
communi ties.
The conceptual framework for my thesis has been
developed through my determination to increase my
understanding of the complexities of developing teacher-education
programs for indigenous students at James Cook
University. The thesis is developed through case study
techniques including: personal observation and recording of
my work as Program Planner; a situational analysis of the
historical background, leading up to the development of the
Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) ; a
discussion of the stages through which the development team
proceeded with intentionality and empathy towards its task
of constructing a specific program of teacher-education; and
my use of existing literature to comprehend the educational
and social problems which the program attemted to
alleviate.
Throughout my thesis the specificity of the "case", and
the eclectic position I have adopted, have acted as
boundaries of my conceptual framework. My thesis attempts
to show that the "case" of the development of teacher-education
programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
students at James Cook University, although an idiosyncratic
instance , is valuable as illumination , if not for
generalisation, and thus has a credibility and usefulness.
The characteristics of the case-study method are
frequently more appropriate to expansion is than
reductionist activities, and I have tried to show how the
different perspectives of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
people, together with the beliefs, attitudes and values of
such different interest-groups as university academics,
Commonwealth and State Education Department bureaucrats, and
teachers and parents in schools, have emphasised both the
importance of questioning assumptions and the importance of
critical, experiential understanding.
36
Hughes, Bridget Y. "Collective impact: Closing the gap in educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland." Thesis, Queensland University of Technology, 2022. https://eprints.qut.edu.au/230011/1/Bridget_Hughes_Thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis examined the educational outcomes for Indigenous children enrolled in Queensland state (public) primary schools from the perspective of the collective and social impact of programs and services. The study used quantifiable data to show that the gap is not closing, regardless of an improvement in attendance, along with literacy and numeracy achievement levels, in certain regions of Queensland.
37
Backhaus, Vincent Stuart. "Situating the countried existence of critical indigenous pedagogies & Aborginal and Torres Strait Islander student's ways of learning." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2019. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/288428.
Full textAbstract:
The Countried experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples of (Australia), ground a resilience and strength in sovereign thinking through the Stories we share laterally with family and inter-ancestrally through our connections to the Dreaming. The stories we share develop a sense of inalienability we have that is connected to the Countries of origin we share and identify with across the continental scape of Land, Water and Sky Country. As a formative philosophical assumption, the Countried existence that this dissertation develops, illuminates the significance of this research thinking to contribute to the continued development of Indigenous education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students attending secondary high schools across (Australia). By attending to the ways Elders as significant Indigenous leaders describe and develop their storied lives through lived experience, this Countried philosophy emerges through the Storied knowing of Country. By examining the approaches to learning Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students adopt, further evidence can be contributed to the research surrounding Indigenous thinking and cognitive approaches to thinking through education learning tasks. By examining the perceptions and beliefs of non-indigenous teachers, this dissertation aims to contribute evidence to Indigenous pedagogies that teachers can deploy in the delivery of meaningful Indigenous Knowledge curricula content. Summatively, this thesis found that when deep engagements are made into the notion of inalienability of Countried experience, salient avenues of thinking and learning and teaching emerge surrounding the ways education can continue to elaborate and relate meaningfully to the First Peoples of Australia.
38
Arthur, Bill (W S. ). "Torres Strait Islanders and Autonomy: a Borderline Case." Phd thesis, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/45747.
Full textAbstract:
During 1996 and 1997 an Australian parliamentary committee conducted an inquiry into greater autonomy for Torres Strait Islanders, but by 2000 the future of the issue seemed unclear. This thesis explores what the notion of autonomy has meant for Torres Strait and for Torres Strait Islanders in the past, and what it might mean in the future. The thesis uses material from the period before European contact to just after the end of the parliamentary inquiry. Although previous research and historical material are utilised, unique parts of the thesis include an analysis of: the formal submissions and hearings associated with the parliamentary inquiry; the Torres Strait’s location between Australia and Papua New Guinea; and the Strait’s small-island make-up. In this latter regard, comparisons are made with models and examples of autonomy found in small island states and territories in the Pacific. The findings include that we must consider two groups of Torres Strait Islanders, those in Torres Strait and those on mainland Australia. Whereas those in the Strait have been able to legitimise a case for a form of autonomy those on the mainland have not. Islanders in the Strait have achieved a degree of regional autonomy; those on the mainland are unable to make a case to be part of this regional autonomy, or to achieve a form of corporate autonomy. The status of Islanders in the Strait is influenced by several factors including the Strait’s location on the border with Papua New Guinea, the associated Treaty with that country, and the nature and the accessibility of the in-shore fishery. A major finding however is that although Islanders have achieved a degree of regional political autonomy, which may be progressed yet further, they have been unable to embrace non-Indigenous people within this. Their present aspiration for regional political autonomy therefore is limited to one that would apply only to Indigenous-specific affairs. This stands in some conflict with their aspiration for regional economic autonomy which would include their control over the entire regional fishery which they presently share with non-Islanders.
39
Doolah, John. "Decolonising the migration and urbanisation of Torres Strait Islanders (Ailan pipel) from the Torres Straits to mainland Australia between the 1960s and 1970s." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1310016.
Full textAbstract:
Masters Research - Master of Philosophy (MPhil)The migration of the Ailan pipel (Island people) from the Torres Straits to mainland Australia presents specific challenges to contemporary Indigenous cultural practices and the unique Ailan Kastom (Island Custom). Factors relating to the nature of indigenous migration will be discussed because of the indigenous context of the Ailan (Island) migration account. The indigenous storytelling account and secondary sources re-interpretation and re-analysis will provide a valuable insight of the Ailan Kastom (Island custom) and Kole (white man) economic migration reasons from the Ailan cultural practices in the pre-and post-invasion period right to the present, covering topics of Ailan sharing and socio-cultural relationships, urbanisation and self-determination in tertiary education. The thesis will emphasis, highlight and elaborate on the reasons for the Ailan migration from an indigenous decolonising viewpoint with the application of the indigenous research methodologies in adherence to indigenous research protocols. Historical analysis provides an overview of the affect and progress of colonisation and the shift of Ailan and Kaurareg Aboriginal communities from their homeland (countries). This research is focused on the migration and urbanisation within the 1960s and 1970s timeframe by critically discussing specific events of Ailan (Island) and Kaurareg Aboriginal people in the Torres Strait regions of Australia and in the Australian mainland urban setting.
40
Loban, Frank. "Ngalpun adhabath a goeygayil bangal (our sea, our future): an examination of Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority principles and Torres Strait Islander needs and aspirations for the Torres Strait fisheries, from a Torres Strait Islander perspective." Thesis, 2007. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/4829/2/02whole.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People: Articles 18, 23 and 26, states that an
Indigenous person has the right to participate fully at all levels of decision making in matters which may
affect their lives, they have the right to develop strategies for economic gains, and the right to own,
develop, control and use of their lands including waters and coastal seas (Human Rights Council,
2006). Zenadhaw Mabaygka (Torres Strait Islanders) are traditional owners of the islands and seas that
are located between the most northern point of Kie Daudai (Australia) and the western coast of Migi
Daudai (Papua New Guinea). Occupation of the islands and seas in Zenadh Kes (Torres Strait) by
Zenadhaw Mabaygka dates back almost 3000 years (Carter,2004). Their traditional knowledge of their
environment has evolved over the generations.
The current fishery governance regime in the Zenadh Kes, the Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint
Authority or PZJA has a policy of maximizing the opportunities for Zenadhaw Mabaygka participation in
all sectors of the fishing industry, and has limited non-islander participation in the Zenadh wapiw
(Torres Strait fisheries). Since 1985 the PZJA has prevented further expansion by this group through
the requirement that non-islanders must purchase an existing license to gain access to the fishery
(PZJA Annual Report, 2002: 8). Growth in the Zenadh wapiw, where there is scope for expansion, has
been reserved exclusively for Zenadhaw Mabaygka. However, Zenadhaw Mabaygka participation in the
actual governance structure, where management decisions are made for the Zenadh wapiw, is that of
an advisory role, not a decision-making role.
Zenadhaw Mabaygka has an advisory role in the current fishery governance regime through the PZJA. The PZJA was established under the Torres Strait Treaty 1984 No. 4.This Treaty was negotiated
between Kie Daudai and Migi Daudai in 1978 and ratified into Kie Daudai law in 1985. The Treaty
recognizes the importance of protecting the traditional way of life as well as the livelihood of Zenadhaw
Mabaygka. However, it fails to secure equal power and benefit sharing for its primary stakeholders,
Zenadhaw Mabaygka. This principle is reflected throughout relevant Kie Daudai legislation and the
PZJA.
My thesis argues that the contemporary logic of this Treaty commitment to protect the way of life as well
as the livelihood of Zenadhaw Mabaygka requires a governance regime that guarantees benefit sharing
and that this guarantee can only be achieved through power sharing. Today the way of life and
livelihoods of Zenadhaw Mabaygka must involve them fully in both traditional as well as the commercial fisheries. To reflect contemporary economic reality and Zenadhaw Mabaygka aspirations the present
governance regime requires a re-arrangement of governance mechanisms, a re- articulation of the
guiding principles and a modest amendment to the enabling rules. The re-arrangements are needed to
empower authentic participation in power sharing through decision-making processes that will
accommodate Zenadhaw Mabaygka as key actors in the regime by acknowledging them as in the
principal stakeholders in the fisheries.
41
Watkin, Lui Felecia. "My island home: a study of identity across different generations of Torres Strait Islanders living outside the Torres Strait." Thesis, 2009. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/11642/2/02whole.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is a study of identity across different generations of Torres Strait
Islanders living outside the Torres Strait (also referred to as ‘Mainlanders’). The
research aims, firstly, to examine the representation of identity across different
generations of Islanders living outside the Torres Strait; secondly, to analyse critical
aspects of this identity; and, thirdly, to explore new ways of representing ‘Mainland
Islander’ identity in contemporary society.
Since the end of World War Two, the Torres Strait Islander diaspora, located on
the mainland of Australia, has continued to grow to the extent that it now represents just
over 85 percent (40,367 people) of the total Torres Strait Islander population
(Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 2007). The period immediately following World
War Two marked the beginning of mass internal migration of Torres Strait Islanders to
the Australian mainland. There are many different pathways and passages that Islanders
followed in the journey from the Torres Strait to the mainland. Many Islanders,
including my family, made the journey voluntarily as they looked for work and other
life opportunities. Some Islanders were forcibly removed from their islands; the journey
made under duress with circumstances that paralleled the oppressive conditions they
experienced in the Torres Strait. Other Islanders arrived on the mainland because of
environmental or historical circumstances, such as the evacuations required during the
flooding of Saibai Island in the 1930s and later during World War Two.
Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of both Cultural Studies and Indigenous
Studies, this qualitative study focuses on the narratives of twenty-three participant
Storytellers representing first, second and third generation Torres Strait Islanders
(mainly) living outside the Torres Strait. The research sites included the mainland
Islander communites of Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Brisbane and Canberra as well as
Badu and Erub Islands in the Torres Strait.
A review of current government legislation and policies pertaining to Islanders
living outside the Torres Strait reveals a form of identity politics that sees
‘Mainlanders’ positioned in binary oppositions and deficit cultural discourses. In
contrast, this research articulates a story of ‘Mainlander’ relatedness, a multilayered and
complex process of identification across generations of Islanders living outside the
Torres Strait. This story of ‘Mainlander’ relatedness represents a composite counternarrative
to claims of cultural and political dissolution and displacement for a
population (increasingly) born and raised outside the Torres Strait. It is articulated
through a strong sense of place identity, relating and connecting across generations, the
shared experiences and memories of belonging to an Island Home. The relational aspect
of place identity, in turn, informs our knowledge of who we are, our connections with
ourselves, each other and our position in the world. This research presents key insights
into the way Islanders negotiate and contest the contemporary ‘Mainlander’ experience
in the everyday through utilisation of multimedia, the arts and technology in the
creation of systems of representation, cultural expression and interconnectivity between
individuals and the collective.
New political approaches must be open to ‘Mainlander’ representations of
identity that are grounded in the connection to Island Homes but, at the same time,
shaped, influenced and negotiated within the context of our experiences, history and
connection to the mainland. We ‘Mainlanders’ are equally responsible for reviewing
our own institutional systems and practices, critiquing the way we are positioned by
others and ourselves in political and social discourses, and understanding how we might
articulate the spaces from which we speak of our lived realities and experiences as
Ailan Pipel (Islander People).
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Murphy, Kevin Michael. "The cultural organisation of social difference and relatedness at the border between Australia and Papua New Guinea." Phd thesis, 2012. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/141067.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis analyses the field of social relations affected by
the international
border between Australia and Papua New Guinea, focussed primarily
on the
people from the Papua New Guinea side. The location of the border
and
conditions for interaction across it are set down in the Torres
Strait Treaty, which
contains provisions allowing people defined as “traditional
inhabitants” of the
border region “free movement” across the border when they are
engaged in
“traditional activities.”
I argue that the interpretation and enforcement of the
traditional inhabitant
provisions of the Torres Strait Treaty by agents of the
respective nation states
has generated a paradox in its application: the deployment of the
notion of
“tradition” in the classification of subjects and the
regulation and restriction of
their activities depends on a conceptualisation of the individual
person and
presuppositions about the nature of sociality that are at odds
with the dominant
form of sociality among the people whose traditions are invoked.
Over the years since the Treaty came into effect there has been
an increasing
discrepancy in the material standard of living on opposite sides
of the border,
and Torres Strait Islanders are now relatively affluent by
comparison with their
Papuan neighbours. This change in economic conditions has made
the prospect
of visiting the Torres Strait Islands increasingly attractive for
Papuans, but the
government response has been to narrow the categorical
interpretation of the
traditional inhabitant provisions so that they function to
exclude many people
who believe they should be classified as traditional inhabitants.
This has created
conditions for competition and rivalry between Papua New Guinean
groups over
inclusion in and exclusion from the traditional inhabitant
category; and
contestation over the interpretation of what counts as a
traditional activity, with
a central role played by agents of the Australian state.
43
Schug, Donald M. "The marine realm and a sense of place among the Papua New Guinean communities of the Torres Strait." Thesis, 1995. http://hdl.handle.net/10125/9818.
Full text
44
Arnold, Anna-Lena. "Applied Epidemiology in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health." Master's thesis, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/110475.
Full textAbstract:
My placement for the Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology (MAE) degree was with the Evidence and Evaluation section, within the Indigenous Health Division, Australian Government Department of Health. In this thesis, I present projects undertaken which fulfil the requirements of the MAE program. Data analysis project: The Northern Territory Aboriginal Health Key Performance Indicators (NT AHKPIs) are a collection of key performance indicators that measure primary health care (PHC) performance. I conducted a descriptive analytical study of the NT AHKPIs. The data that inform the NT AHKPIs are not currently in the public domain, this chapter is therefore a closed chapter. Evaluation project: I evaluated the NT AHKPIs to assess the extent to which the NT AHKPIs are addressing their intended goals and to determine whether they were being used for other purposes; my approach to the evaluation was utilisation focused. Preliminary findings show that the KPIs are useful to inform service planning and continuous quality improvement, but there is room for improvement. Findings were reported back to the NT AHKPI steering committee to inform ongoing strengthening of the NT AHKPI system. Epidemiological study: Anaemia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the NT is a public health problem. I undertook a study to describe the application of best practice guidelines for screening and management of children aged 6 months to 3 years with anaemia in the NT. Findings show that of 5,543 children, 63% were screened for anaemia. The prevalence of anaemia was 40% - a ‘severe’ public health problem as defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO). A very low proportion of anaemic children were recorded as treated according to best practice guidelines, however, our findings are subject to multiple potential biases and these findings need to be validated. Outbreak investigation: I was a member of the Communicable Disease Network Australia team that investigated an unusual cluster of Ralstonia bacteraemia from 1 April to 26 June 2014 in three states in Australia. The objectives of this investigation were to assess the possibility of a causal association between the administration of propofol and Ralstonia bacteraemia, and to identify sources of the infections. The propofol solution passed all sterility and contamination tests, but 18% of the flip-off caps and external surfaces of the rubber stoppers were contaminated with a variety of bacterial species including R. mannitolylitica. These isolates were genetically indistinguishable from three out of eight isolates from patients with R. mannitolylitica bacteraemia. Findings from this study highlighted the need for proper aseptic techniques when administering intravenous injections. I spent ten weeks in Sierra Leone supporting the WHO’s response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak (EVD). I summarise my role and responsibilities in the outbreak, including a description of our investigation of a cluster of cases with EVD.
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Riley, Tamara. "Partnerships in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research." Master's thesis, 2020. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/201637.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis comprises a collection of applied epidemiological studies including an evaluation and
epidemiological study, an outbreak investigation, and a data analysis. All studies are focused on
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander One Health (which recognises that the health of people is
related to the health of animals and their interaction with the environment), sexual health, and child
health. All studies highlight the importance of partnerships and community involvement.
The first study is an evaluation of a community driven animal health and management program in
the remote Aboriginal community of Wadeye in the Northern Territory. Wadeye has approximately
2300 residents and 650 dogs and cats. However, there is very limited access to veterinary care and
animal medicines. To address community concerns regarding animal health, an animal health and
management program was co-developed and implemented by Animal Management in Rural and
Remote Indigenous Communities (AMRRIC) and the Thamarrurr Development Corporation (TDC)
Rangers, with support from the West Daly Regional Council. This study is a quantitative
epidemiological study that evaluated the impact of this animal health and management program in
Wadeye. This included analysing animal and human health outcomes before and after program
implementation to assess the impact of the animal program on the health of animals and people
within the community. This study involved engagement and partnerships with AMRRIC and TDC, as
well as the community of Wadeye.
The second study is an outbreak investigation analysing Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
notifications among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population in Far North Queensland to
determine if an outbreak has occurred. The Tropical Public Health Unit - Cairns observed an increase
in HIV notifications since 2014 affecting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population. HIV has
been notifiable in Queensland since 1984. This study is a quantitative descriptive analysis, using the
Queensland Notifiable Conditions database, to analyse data on HIV notifications from 1 January
1984 - 30 June 2019, to quantify the history of HIV notifications and assess whether an outbreak has
occurred. This study involved engagement and partnerships with local health organisations,
Queensland Health, and the South Australia Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
The third study is a data analysis focusing on chronic disease risk in Aboriginal children involved in
the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH). SEARCH is a cohort
study of Aboriginal children and adolescents and is conducted with four Aboriginal Community
Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in New South Wales. Chronic disease affects Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander adults at higher rates than non-Indigenous Australian adults. However, it is not
clear if this risk emerges during childhood and/or adolescence. This study is a cross-sectional analysis
that quantifies the distribution of chronic disease markers in the cohort overall, and in relation to
age group, gender, and Body Mass Index (BMI). This study involved engagement and partnerships
with two ACCHS including the Tharawal Aboriginal Medical Service (based in Western Sydney), and
the Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal Corporation (based in Wagga Wagga), and also the
SEARCH project team based at the Sax Institute.
The teaching requirements of the MAE are also detailed in this thesis including a lessons from the
field session about the use of logic models in evaluations and a teaching session about One Health in
field epidemiology.
46
Loban, Heron. "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and consumer law." Thesis, 2018. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/56957/1/JCU_56957-loban-2018-thesis.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
The literature identifies a number of underlying issues that impact on the consumer protection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These issues arise from locational (remoteness), historical (protection and assimilation policies enacted through the colonial process) and cultural factors (rooted in tradition, customs and relationships to people and place). These factors act as a unique combination of circumstances which require a specific approach to consumer protection – one that addresses these issues and redresses 'advantage' and 'disadvantage' and 'power' and 'vulnerability'. A significant gap in the literature is an understanding of the role of culture in consumer transactions involving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; how to address locational issues; and the enduring historical impact of colonisation on the consumer behaviour of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This thesis aims to contribute to this knowledge gap.
The case law points to a particular need to look at options such as increased regulation in respect of matters such as unconscionable conduct, and misleading and deceptive conduct. It also indicates a greater need for access to legal education and community awareness about the consumer protections available to them and how best to exercise these legal rights especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in remote Australia – to address locational 'disadvantage'. These issues will be explored in depth throughout this thesis including through an analysis of the data collected from semi-structured interviews.
Literacy, numeracy, commercial acumen and financial literacy also appear to impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers in the same way they did 25 years ago, as evidenced by the analysis in Chapter 2 of the case law over this period. Inequality experienced as a result of socio-economic factors will continue to place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers at a 'disadvantage' for as long as this inequality (gap) remains.
Positively, there is one area in which change is occurring; this is in respect of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumer 'vulnerability' within the new generation has in some ways decreased as a consequence of generational differences and generational change within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population.
The influence of culture and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values (such as relationality) is strong and continues to contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers' 'vulnerability'.
There are challenges present in the consumer protection law that negatively impact on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person's ability to make informed decisions relate to interpretation and enforcement processes. Rather, the weight of the data together with an analysis of the case law leads to the conclusion that the law is sufficient but that problems lie in the broader themes of discrimination, socio-economic disadvantage and access to justice.
Addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumer 'vulnerability' and 'disadvantage' cannot be attended to by the consumer protection laws alone, nor simply by consumer watchdogs, courts, financial counsellors and lawyers working independently from one another. A combination of all of these is required, pieced together within a broader strategy for improving all aspects of the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
47
Ban, Paul Zoltan. "The application of the Queensland Adoption Act 1964-1988 to the traditional adoption practice of Torres Strait Islanders." 1989. http://repository.unimelb.edu.au/10187/2361.
Full textAbstract:
The intention of this study is to examine the relevance of applying the Queensland Adoption Act 1964-1988 to the traditional adoption practice of Torres Strait Islanders. The concept of adoption as defined by the Queensland adoption legislation reflects the cultural context of “white Australia” and the intention of the Adoption Act 1964-1988 is to legalise a specific concept of adoption. This study will show that the Queensland Government, through the Department of Family Services, the Department which has the responsibility for implementing adoption legislation, does not make any allowance for differing views of adoption. The accepted definition of adoption is biased toward the dominant white culture in Queensland and the legislation was intended to service the needs of the dominant white culture.
48
Lahn, Julie. "Past visions, present lives: sociality and locality in a Torres Strait community." Thesis, 2003. https://researchonline.jcu.edu.au/1128/2/02whole.pdf.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis explores dynamics of sociality and local identity on Warraber Island in the
Torres Strait. I argue that Warraber residents' representation of themselves as a
distinctive collectivity needs to be understood in terms of indigenous conceptions of
relatedness and difference and with reference to local moral terms of communal life, in
particular a valorised striving towards the idealised vision of moral relations known as
gud pasin. This value is informed by a dense network of cognatic connections existing
among Warraber residents – encapsulated in the local discourse of “ol wan pamle” (all
one family), in addition to shared identification as a Christian community.
Warraberans envision the past through ideas of temporal rupture, indexed to the arrival
of Christianity in the region and linked to the positive transformation of Warraber life.
This forms a reference point in local thinking about ancestors. Warraberans depict their
ancestors as both 'natives' and 'foreigners' linked respectively to the pre-Christian period
and the marine industries of the post-missionised colonial era. These temporal
associations, and their implicit moral inscriptions, generate poignant areas of ambiguity
concerning personal ancestry, and also prominent pre-Christian sites and dance
performances thought to be associated with head-taking and sorcery. The image of the
sorcerer is itself contentious, appearing partly as a moral Other, and partly as a source of
local power.
Such dynamics of difference appear as integral to contemporary social life on Warraber.
Differing Christian affiliations, ancestral emphasis and perspectives on the past
certainly contain potential for contestation. Productive activities are markedly gendered
and family networks involve strong personalised loyalties that compete with broader
social obligations. However, the value of gud pasin is shown as ultimately valorising
inclusiveness, generosity and a concern with community harmony. Moreover residence
on Warraber Island emerges as an important context for common experiences that help
distinguish the population as a distinctive, emplaced community within the diversity of
Torres Strait populations.
Intense attachments to Warraber Island are communicated in local notions of 'belonging'
to place. This is characterised by knowledge and familiarity and also by birth and
residence. In this context, the marine realm continues to be a central component within
Warraber collective identification and notions of local distinctiveness. Warraberans
represent themselves both in historical and contemporary terms as incomparable marine
workers, hunters and fishers. Transactions in marine products, whether related to
generating income or for consumption, continue to be a focus of Warraber life and are
inextricably woven into the practice of familial relations, whereby marine resources are
transformed by human activity into a ‘currency’ of relatedness shaped by moral
understandings that inflect the landscape as much as the conduct of sociality.
49
Lahn, Julie. "Past visions, present lives : sociality and community in a Torres Strait community /." 2003. http://eprints.jcu.edu.au/1128.
Full text
50
Jones, Roxanne. "The epidemiology of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, health and wellbeing." Master's thesis, 2019. http://hdl.handle.net/1885/156448.
Full textAbstract:
This thesis is a compilation of applied epidemiological studies undertaken throughout the course of the Master of Philosophy in Applied Epidemiology (MAE) program. The focus of this thesis is on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing and uses a strengths based, mixed methods approach. Community based participatory research methodologies were utilized in these studies. An outbreak investigation was also undertaken as part of the MAE competencies. This thesis includes the following studies:
- The data analysis and major epidemiological studies explore the association between caring for country, through participation in a Ranger program, and wellbeing. A cross sectional analysis of data collected in Central Australia in 2017, comparing health and wellbeing (life satisfaction, general health, psychological wellbeing and family wellbeing) among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people employed as Rangers (n=43) versus not employed as Rangers (n=160).
- The Stronger Communities for Children (SCfC) program was evaluated through collection of cultural participation data (a key program outcome). Community based participatory research was utilised and community researchers were trained in delivering the survey through partnership with the Palngun Wurnangat Aboriginal Corporation, the Kardu Lurruth Ngala Purrungime Committee and the National Centre of Epidemiology and Population Health.
- An outbreak investigation was undertaken of a cluster of Salmonella Typhimurium with a unique MLVA pattern in Canberra, ACT. Descriptive epidemiology and an environmental investigation was undertaken to identify the source of the pathogen, and implement public health measures to mitigate risk to the public of further infection.
This thesis outlines additional activities undertaken during the MAE. Peer-reviewed articles, conference presentations, lesson plans and study proposals are included throughout.