Kris Flanders

QUEENSLAND: ALL SYSTEMS ARE GO

Tuesday, 11 March, 2008

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Hey you mob! Well here we go again on another series of Living Black. We are all systems go here in the office and look forward to seeing some of you when we're on the road.

But here's what I've been up to over the last few weeks. I travelled to Qld for ten days in late January and early February.

On my travels I went to Cherbourg about 250kms north-west of Brisbane. They are facing some big problems there with a really disturbing rise in petrol and paint sniffing amongst some of the youth. Something I witnessed while in the community with my own eyes, two young females who were clearly sniffing paint, it was something that distressed me to see and something drastic must be done before we lose our brothers and sisters in Cherbourg.

Remember to have Your Say:

Should Federal and State Governments do more to address the issue of petrol / paint sniffing in Indigenous communities?

On the bright side there are some strong leaders including Bethany Geehoy, Ricky Morgan and elder Beryl Gambrill, in the community who want to see this deadly practise wiped out. Ideas of a multi-purpose facility to help volatile substance abusers and working closer with the Qld Government are things that must happen as soon as possible.

There are alot of good people in Cherbourg who want the best for the youth and the best possible future for them.

The lighter side of Queensland

On a lighter side of my trip to Qld I was fortunate to meet some great people all who are achieving their dreams.

Firstly it was with talented artist Dennis Nona, who last year became the first Torres Strait Islander to win the coveted Telstra Aboriginal & TSI art award.

This guy is amazing! His works include linocuts, etchings and sculptures that will blow your mind...if you're lucky enough to see his work you'll know what I mean.

It was then off to meet 19 year old Davina Hughes from Toowoomba a great athlete who is a weightlifter! This pocket dynamo showed me her stuff in the gym as she was lifting weights that left me in awe with the apparent ease that she was throwing them around.

I was going to show her a thing or two but that old footy injury was playing up again! haha. Anyway Davina is a lovely girl and has represented her state and country and will certainly be one to look out for in the next Commonwealth Games because she is very committed.

It was great to get back to Qld again to film some stories which will feature this series...one last thing though Qld look out for the rugby league State Of Origin cos NSW are coming for you! :)

Take care you mob.

Kris.

COMMENTS

• MARINA . T FROM ADELAIDE SAYS:
  04:41:30 PM Sunday, 16th March, 2008

  if they refuse to accept the help from the government, with our money (tax), then really, what else can we do? its great idea to make the petrol and paint from safer substance but that wont stop indigenous people from sniffing them. build a modern Free schooling facility in the indigenous community, with WELL educated and understand teachers, Free bus and transportation to the school, THEN maybe they can get their life back. or provide some decent workplace to work etc etc.. giving them little money every so weeks or months doesnt help and cant change their life so drastically.

  I agree (3 agree)

  I disagree (3 disagree)
• COLIN EASDON-SMITH FROM INGHAM. QLD. SAYS:
  05:29:16 PM Saturday, 15th March, 2008

  Having travelled this country extensively outback and urban areas, I am familiaer with all the problems facing Aboriginal people. the solution to the problems are the Abopriginal people themselves, stop passing the buck to Governments or others.

  I agree (6 agree)

  I disagree (6 disagree)
• ROSS BOLAND FROM PERTH, MEEKATHARRA,LAVERTON SAYS:
  06:19:02 PM Friday, 14th March, 2008

  Why is it people like me need to work and pay my taxes so the government should pay for people who refuse to help themselves, I feel it is high time that communities took the bull by the horns and did something for themselves. These communities are in place to allow indigenous people to live traditionally,but they dont respect it.

  I agree (6 agree)

  I disagree (6 disagree)
• RON WILLIAMS FROM BEGA SAYS:
  12:42:53 PM Thursday, 13th March, 2008

  As told in the story the Qld Govt. should assist by helping with the idea of a multi-purpose facility to overcome the problems. Work with the families and get things sorted.

  I agree (13 agree)

  I disagree (13 disagree)
• EMILY FROM ADELAIDE SAYS:
  10:23:39 AM Wednesday, 12th March, 2008

  Yes. The roll out of Opal fuel in communities in the NT show things can be done.

  I agree (18 agree)

  I disagree (17 disagree)
• ROBYN WILLIAMS FROM BRISBANE SAYS:
  10:22:31 AM Wednesday, 12th March, 2008

  Yes. Programs set up help the ones already affected by this habit As well as educating our young ones in the prevention of sniffing. Show them what will happen to them if they take this path

  I agree (17 agree)

  I disagree (17 disagree)
• SANDI NIELSEN FROM PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA SAYS:
  10:22:03 AM Wednesday, 12th March, 2008

  Petrol sniffing can be minimised by ensuring that only the type of petrol that does not have the preferred affect is available throughout country communities. Paint sniffing can also be made more difficult by any selling agency not selling the product to under 18 youth. The predominant age groups for paint sniffing in my experience are 15-17 year olds.

  I agree (17 agree)

  I disagree (17 disagree)
• KAREN FROM REVESBY NS SAYS:
  09:48:14 AM Wednesday, 12th March, 2008

  I was a community representative representative at the premier's dept drug action team Bankstown and they told me I was banging my head aginst a brick wall. So I started lobbying government at both state and federal levels to act on the inhalation of volatile substances. They all kicked it to someone else.

  I agree (17 agree)

  I disagree (17 disagree)
• PETER DUFFY FROM BURRA NSW SAYS:
  07:11:14 AM Wednesday, 12th March, 2008

  This is a pretty silly qustion. The question is what can communities and governments do together, how can they do it and how should they support each other over the years it will take to work it through?

  I agree (18 agree)

  I disagree (17 disagree)
• ALTHEA FROM NSW SAYS:
  08:55:50 PM Tuesday, 11th March, 2008

  Who is selling petrol to these children. No loose cans of petrol should be allowed to be purchased.If one's car runs out then his name and address should be noted. This situation is absolutely critical and unless the public steps in and not leave everything to the Government then we will get results. You can only say you care when you step out there and do something about it. I am ready!!!!!!!!

  I agree (18 agree)

  I disagree (17 disagree)
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