Events
Speaker
Performers
Media Releases
- 12/12/2006 - Protecting Rights in a Climate of Fear
- 14/12/2006 - The Age - Protecting Rights in a Climate of Fear
Julian Burnside QC - A profile
Julian Burnside is a barrister practising in Melbourne and other parts of Australia. He joined the Bar in 1976 and took silk in 1989.
He acted for the Ok Tedi natives against BHP, for Alan Bond in fraud trials, for Rose Porteous in numerous actions against Gina Rinehart, and for the Maritime Union of Australia in the 1998 waterfront dispute against Patrick Stevedores. He was the Senior Counsel assisting the Australian Broadcasting Authority in the 'Cash for Comment' inquiry and was senior counsel for Liberty Victoria in the Tampa litigation.
While specialising in commercial litigation, he has acted pro bono in many human rights cases, in particular concerning the treatment of refugees.
Julian is passionately involved in the arts. He collects contemporary paintings, photographs and sculptures, and regularly commissions music. He is Chair of Fortyfive Downstairs, Chair of Chunky Move, Chair of the Mietta Foundation and deputy Chair of Musica Viva Australia.
He has written a successful children's book, Matilda and the Dragon (Allen & Unwin) and a book of essays on language and etymology, Wordwatching - field notes from an amateur philologist, (Scribe, 2004). He compiled a book of letters written by asylum seekers held in Australia-s detention camps. The book, From Nothing to Zero was published in 2003 by Lonely Planet.
In 2004 he was elected as a Living National Treasure.
Julian is married to artist Kate Durham.
Jali Buba Kuyateh - Senegambia's Best Kept Secret
Born in The Gambia in West Africa, Jali Buba comes from a griot (hereditary musician) family, where he has played kora (West African harp) since the age of five. He comes from the famous Kuyateh family of Medina Wandifa. His father, Dembel Kuyateh and his mother Fenda Galissa, were well known throughout Senegambia and all his brothers play kora, sing and dance.
A master of traditional kora tunes, Jali Buba has applied his kora to the Mandinkin styles, soukous of Mali and Guinea, the mbalax of Nigeria made popular by Youssou N'dour, as well as reggae, salsa, jazz and the blues.
Now living in Victoria, having moved from his last place of residence, the region between Casamance in the southern region of Senegal, and Bakau in The Gambia, Jali Buba toured extensively in Australia in 2005, appearing at WOMADelaide, the Woodford and Port Fairy Folk Festivals. He has performed with some of Australia's top musicians including jazz legend Bob Sedergreen, guitarist Doug DeVries, violinist Nigel McLean and South African performer Valanga Khoza, and West African musicians, Afro Moses, and the Mohata brothers.
Jali Buba is known for his brilliant talent and captivating performances. An absolute delight.
Monica Weightman - Lost and Found
Originally from North Queensland, now based in Melbourne, Monica Weightman is a gifted guitarist and inspirational singer-songwriter. Her passion for her aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is shared in her latest CD Lost Generation and through her work as singer and guitarist with Richard Frankland's Charcoal Club.
Monica is known for her unique, warm vocal style, accomplished guitar playing and versatility. Her ability to play music ranging from country, contemporary roots, rock and blues has seen her tour at festivals and concerts throughout Victoria. And in 2003, Monica was the first Indigenous performer invited to play on the main stage at the St.Kilda Festival.
Monica has also had lead roles in Richard Frankland's musical theatre productions, such as Walkabout, which played at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image last year. She played, sang and performed in Frankland's autobiographical production, which played at the Dreaming Festival in Woodford and the famous Spiegeltent in Melbourne.
A respected tutor and mentor, Monica has worked in programs such as the Music For The Future Mentor Program and for two and a half years she was Music Programs Director at the Dame Phyllis Frost Center. Monica is currently a mentor at Juvenile Justice, Gateway, Decibels, & Macedon Ranges.
