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Kez Hall - ABC Advisory Board member by Kez Hall 23 February 2014 1. Who’s your mob and what part of the country is that? I was raised mostly in Kungarakany culture of my maternal Grandfather. Our country is the Finniss River / Litchfield / Batchelor / Adelaide River regions south west of Darwin. I also spent as much time as I could with my non-Aboriginal Father’s family in Newcastle / Nelson Bay and Sydney regions. My maternal Grandmother is Gurindji and we sometimes spent childhood days in Katherine and later years at Wave Hill too. 2. What does family mean to you? My family is an extended network of people in Australia that includes people I claim and am recognised as being, a close member of their family. Not all of these people are blood relations but are people whom I care deeply for and whom care for me in the same way. The most precious members of my family are my 2 Grandaughters, my Daughter –in – law, my Daughter and Grandson and my perfect adult son I lost to suicide. 3. Where did you do your schooling? I was schooled in Darwin at a Catholic girls primary, a Public high school, then College which is now the Charles Darwin University. I completed the inaugural UN Diplomacy Training Program in Human Rights through the University of NSW. I have
continued my education and professional training through professional networks and Groups of which I am a member, such as Mastering Innovation NT (MINT) an open group of private business operators in Darwin. 4. What did you like about your school years? I found school work easy because I had the skills to deal with the level of work required. The biggest plus was that I had interested parents who were constantly challenging
me to learn. My parents were well read, were involved in social economic and political debates and developments in our local town and at the National level. I was rewarded for my achievements at school forums (with prizes) and my parents paid for extra curricula activities which included a trip to Timor in 1972. I also had great friends at school and keep those friendships today. 5. What are some interesting jobs you’ve had?
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I learned discipline and saving money by having a school holiday job as a cleaner when I was 13. In the 1980’s, I was a Probation & Parole officer dealing with a range of people from many classes and cultures in the NT as they faced the Criminal justice system. In 1992, I helped facilitate a Human Rights training course for displaced Burmese women in northern Thailand, who were National League for Democracy (NLD) members of the officially elected Party and supporters of President Aung San Suu Kyi. I have worked mostly for Governments in the NT and Commonwealth in Community Development roles. The best job I have ever had is yet to come – retirement spent with my grandchildren. 6. When did you get the offer from the ABC? I was informed in mid-December 2013 following an Expression of Interest period in late 2013 to fill 4 vacancies across Australia. 7. What are your ambitions for your position on the ABC advisory board?
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I want to learn about how the Broadcaster works as I have never been involved in media. My Advisory member role includes representing the NT and Indigenous perspectives in the work of the Council and being part of the communication channels between community and the ABC Board. Wherever I can, I will be promoting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, achievements and aspirations for our futures. 8. Who are your Indigenous role models? My mother Vai Stanton, Sally Ross (dec), my Grandfathers Jack & Joe McGinness, Mr Don White, and so many people I grew up with in Darwin in the 1950’s who did not shy away from asserting and protecting the rights of Aboriginal people. Proud men and women like my great grandmother Alyandabu, Mr Gus Williams (dec), Koiki Mabo, Pat and Mick Dodson and Marcia Langton. These are the people I learned about and from, to be proud of my heritage, to exercise my rights and through education be
articulate across cultural worlds and not afraid to stand up for justice. I admire the modern envoys like Tom Calma, Denella Mack (Alice Springs) and Warren Mundine who are quietly weaving pathways for future generations whilst rock solid in their Nation’s history. 9. What do you do for enjoyment away from work? Spend as much time as I can with my grandchildren and spend time at Darwin River where I grew up. I want my grandkids to hear Kungarakany language, learn about our traditional lands, about the First Nations people place in Australia and give them a solid future like the way I was raised by my nonIndigenous father in my mother’s country. 10. What can this current government do to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians? Act on the oft stated commitment to finance programs to get children to school with properly funded hubs and the right workforce to make education a priority and inspire families to see that education is the future not welfare.