Opening The Doors Foundation

Activity report 2010-2011

OTDF — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 22:14:44 +0000

The Foundation celebrated its tenth birthday on 4th August 2011, National Aboriginal Children’s Day. The occasion was marked by a celebratory evening generously hosted by Genazzano FCJ College and an Oration from Dr. Anita Heiss, an Indigenous Literacy Day Ambassador and a prolific author.

Anita shared with those in attendance, the intriguing and captivating story of her life from the challenging family and school environment that she experienced in her youth to the joy and elation of being the first Aboriginal student to graduate from the University of Western Sydney. Anita recalled having to wear a hand-me-down school uniform and the many occasions she experienced racial vilification.

Read the rest in our latest Activity Report…

John Arthur, Chair of Trustees

OTDF Newsletter – May 2011

OTDF — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 01:16:19 +0000

The latest newsletter from Opening the Doors is now available online, be sure to send us an email using the contact form if you would like to receive it via email in the future.

View the May 2011 Newsletter.

Australian Reconciliation Barometer 2010

OTDF — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 04:12:26 +0000

Read Reconciliation Australia’s Barometer
The Barometer is a national research study that looks at the relationship between Indigenous and other Australians. Designed to be repeated every two years, the Barometer explores how we see and feel about each other, and how these perceptions affect progress towards reconciliation and closing the gap.

2010 Activity Report

OTDF — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 01:33:52 +0000

Message from John Arthur – Chair of Trustees
Aboriginal disadvantage is not different to disadvantage in the non indigenous community, but it is often more extreme. I recently read of the model for progress in Cape York referred to as the staircase model. The stairs are built on a foundation of social norms, which are being re-built in Aboriginal Communities. The structures underpinning the stairs are investment in capabilities: investment in health, education and infrastructure. The stairs that individuals climb are shaped by the incentives offered, but each rung on the stairs must be climbed by the individual human beings. There is no mass elevator for entire communities and we need to understand the importance of individuals, families and communities taking charge of their lives. To accelerate Reconciliation and the transformation of Aboriginal Communities to one where Community members are able to take charge of their affairs, will require the education of the many thousands of Aboriginal students. Education is the means to empowering Aboriginal people to achieve better outcomes and in turn, much needed social change. The education of the many Aboriginal children, assisted by The Foundation, it has an important role in this transition process which will continue to evolve over time. The continuing support of our Partners, donors and supporters is essential and is immensely appreciated.

Read our Latest Activity Report

Yarra Healing

OTDF — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 05:24:56 +0000

Yarra Healing promotes the voices of local Indigenous people of Melbourne and its surrounding areas. It gives expression to their stories and to the growth of the Reconciliation movement not only in Melbourne but across the nation.

Visit Yarra Healing

Still Lost in the Indigenous Gap

OTDF — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 00:39:38 +0000

‘The statistics are troubling. A third of indigenous 15-year-olds in remote areas of Australia don’t go to school. In the nation’s major cities, almost a quarter of Aboriginal 15-year-olds are not at school.’
Article from The Age Newspaper 29 October 2010
Read the article

2011 Applications Now Open

OTDF — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 06:51:29 +0000

Applications for Education Assistance are now open and close on Friday 8 April. Visit the Apply page to find out more and download Application Forms.