Justin named First Nations People ambassador

Emma Turnbull

Gooreng Gooreng man Justin Mohamed has been appointed as Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People.

FolloMr Mohamed will lead the Office of First Nations Engagement in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

“I am honoured to be appointed as the inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People and excited about the opportunities ahead to embed First Nations voices and knowledge into Australia’s foreign policies and trade,” he said.

“I am looking forward to sitting down and listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the country, as we develop foreign policies that have First Nations People’s knowledges, voice and connection to country front and centre.”

In his role as Ambassador for First Nations People Mr Mohamed will work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to progress Indigenous rights globally and help grow First Nations trade and investment.

This new position ensures, for the first time, that Australia will have a dedicated Indigenous representation in international engagement.

Mr Mohamed is a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg, and he will bring a strong connection to community in his new role.

Currently Deputy Secretary of Aboriginal Justice in the Victorian Government, Mr Mohamed has worked for decades in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, social justice and reconciliation, in roles spanning across the Aboriginal community, government and corporate sectors.

He was previously Chief Executive Officer for Reconciliation Australia, Chairperson of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, and has represented Indigenous organisations internationally, including at the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

In the landmark announcement, in Australia’s history, earlier this month Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Mr Mohammed had extensive knowledge and she thanked him for taking on the new role.

“Mr Mohamed is a Gooreng Gooreng man from Bundaberg, with extensive and impressive experience across many roles and he will lead the Office of First Nations Engagement in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” Minister Wong said.

“He, my department, will work together in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to progress Indigenous rights globally and to help grow First Nations trade and investment.

“This new position ensures, for the first time, that Australia will have dedicated Indigenous representation in our international engagement. We're so happy to have you take this role, Justin.”

She said the new role would acknowledge the importance of moving into the future while recognising the past.

“I hope this underlines what an exciting and hopeful time this is for First Nations diplomacy in Australia, in our region and around the world,” she said.

“We have the opportunity to tell our full story and we have the opportunity to see First Nations business and exports taken to the world.”

Mr Mohamed will commence as Ambassador in April.

King parrots find new home at Australia Zoo

Ashley Schipper

Three king parrots born and raised at Alexandra Park Zoo have made the move to their new home at Australia Zoo.

The juveThe juvenile parrots are the young of a breeding pair housed at Alexandra Park Zoo and will now continue their roles as ambassadors for the species at the Steve Irwin establishment on the Sunshine Coast.

Alexandra Park Zoo group supervisor Kate Beskeen said in zookeeping, animal welfare was addressed through the “five domain model” which included health and behaviour.

“By allowing the breeding pair at Alexandra Park Zoo to nest and raise their young, we are providing a welfare state that sees the animals complete all stages of life,” she said.

“This closely replicates how they would behave in the wild and in doing so, promotes more natural behaviours.”

Kate said now that the three juveniles were old enough to be weaned from their parents, the opportunity arose to transfer them to Australia Zoo for the purpose of conservation and education.

“This type of partnership occurs between all zoos, it is through such transfers that animals can be placed to best manage captive species,” she said.

“Zoos have captive breeding programs which encourages a network of information sharing and movement of individuals or groups of animals to maintain the highest possible genetic diversity within zoos.

“This information sharing improves knowledge of species within the captive community, aids research efforts and often links with both ex and in situ conservation efforts.”

About the Australian king parrot

King parrots are usually found in rainforests and eucalypt forests along the east coast and ranges of Australia and feature striking red and green feathers.

The males are the only Australian parrots with a completely red head while their female counterpart have a completely green head and breast area.

The king parrot forages in trees for seeds and fruit and will lay their eggs in hollow tree trunks near the ground.

Kate said the opportunity to learn about the species will be available to more people thanks to the partnership between Australia Zoo and Alexandra Park Zoo.

“Having this species represented at Australia Zoo increases the number of people that can learn about the king parrot and its natural environment,” she said.

“You can still find the Australian king parrot at Alexandra Park Zoo, just ask a keeper about them next time you visit.”

Radio station Hitz939 celebrates 30 years on air

Ashley Schipper

The team at Hitz939 are celebrating a major milestone this month, having clocked up 30 years on air in the Bundaberg Region.

It's been three decades of highlights, challenges and everything in between according to General Manager Corey Pitt, who said the radio station had a proud history and strong connection to community.

“Hitz939 launched in March of 1993, becoming the first FM Radio licence in Bundaberg owned by Bundaberg Broadcasters Pty Ltd, which is now owned by Australian Radio Network,” he said.

“Hitz939 is intrinsically linked to our amazing local region, and our 22 employees all proudly call Bundaberg home.”

Corey said in the past 30 years, Hitz939 had stood by the community in the bad times and celebrated with the community through the great times.

“While a truly devastating natural disaster like the 2013 floods tore many houses apart, local radio icons like presenter Tracey Sergiacomi, along with the entire team, worked tirelessly to support those in need and helped the communication channels between those isolated and support rescue teams,” he said.

“Highlights have included the Santa’s Storage Shed promotion, providing the largest shop-local-and-win promotion in Bundaberg’s history at just under $150,000 in guaranteed prizes through the generosity of amazing advertising partners.

“Hitz Helping Hands has also provided a massive support for those in need throughout our community, and let’s not forget Sugarland Plaza Battle of the Schools, where 21 local primary schools engage in a fun quiz series over six weeks.”

Corey said the station was proud to offer a truly local program to its community.

“Rather than provide a heavily networked program schedule, Hitz939 are passionate about providing local content and entertainment to our local community,” he said.

“Monday to Friday from 6 am to 9 am sees Matty and Trace deliver a truly funny and engaging local breakfast show, followed by local Content Director, Billy Mac in the Mornings through to 12 pm, then rounding out the workday with Bundy’s Big Arvo with Brendo.”

Tracey calls Hitz home

Radio presenter Tracey Sergiacomi is a familiar voice each weekday morning and has been entertaining Hitz939 listeners for more than 14 years.

She said she was proud to be celebrating 30 years of the station's history.

“I started working here in October in 2008 as the receptionist,” she said.

“There's been many changes over the years; we have had different owners, different managers, different staff but the one thing that I am so happy that we have stayed live and local.  

“We are live all day so if anything happens in our city we can put it straight to air.  

“The immediacy of radio can be very important.”

A passionate local, Trace, along with her co-host Matty, have built a large support base of listeners together in the past six years.

She said working alongside Matty each day was a delight.

“A co host is different to a work mate, you spend a lot of time together and you have to have good chemistry otherwise it just sounds awkward on air,” she said.

“If the chemistry isn’t there the show would struggle.

“Matty and I have now been together for six years and we know each other so well.   

“The biggest compliment we get is when people meet us and say ‘you guys are exactly as you are on air!'    

“I have had a lot of co hosts over the years and most of them have been amazing and I still keep in contact with them to this day.”

The entire Hitz939 team is looking forward to celebrating the 30th anniversary at the Bundy Bowl and Leisure Centre on Sunday 1 April.

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