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Kirstie Parker

{{Short description|Journalist and indigenous policy activist}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}

{{use Australian English|date=May 2021}}

Kirstie Parker (born 1967) is a Yuwallarai journalist, policy administrator and Aboriginal Australian activist. From 2013 to 2015 she served as the co-chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples and during her tenure pressed for policies that allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to gain the ability for self-determination.

She has served on the board of Reconciliation Australia and other public policy commissions aimed at improving the lives of Indigenous people. She was the third Aboriginal person to serve on the Australian Press Council. In 2018, her unpublished manuscript The Making of Ruby Champion won the David Unaipon Award of the Queensland Literary Awards, which included both publication and prize money.

She has been the Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation for the Government of South Australia since 2017.

Early life

Kirstie Parker was born as the third child of four siblings in 1967,{{sfn|Parker|2017}} the daughter of a Yuwallarai mother and a father originally from London. Her mother, Pam, had one year of formal schooling, but taught herself to read and write by studying Anne of Green Gables. Her father, Roger, was also an avid reader and they encouraged Parker in her writing.{{sfn|The Copyright Agency|2018}} She was raised in northern New South Wales, Australia.{{sfn|Henningham|2013}}

Career

At 16, Parker began working as a junior journalist{{sfn|The Copyright Agency|2018}} and throughout her career has worked in print media, radio and television.{{sfn|AustLit|2019}} Among the media outlets she has been associated with are ABC Radio, The Tablelander regional paper in Atherton, Queensland and The West Australian newspaper of Perth.{{sfn|Henningham|2013}} In 2006, she became the editor of the Koori Mail, a newspaper written and owned by Indigenous Australians,{{sfn|AustLit|2019}} where she wrote for seven years.{{sfn|Georgatos|2013}}

In 2013, Parker was elected to serve a two-year term as co-chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples, along with Les Malezer, a Gubbi Gubbi-Butchulla man from Queensland.{{sfn|Georgatos|2013}} During her tenure, a crisis in funding threatened Aboriginal communities across Australia with closure. Parker and Malezer strongly opposed the eviction of Indigenous people from their homelands, citing previous failures in adequately integrating Aboriginal people into new areas in various states and stressing the need for self-determination policies.{{snf|Kurmelovs|2014}} The duo worked on the panel reviewing the status of recognition for Australia's Indigenous people in 2014.{{sfn|Anderson|Hosch|Eccles|2014|p=36}} The following year Parker was one of the delegates who met with Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten. She urged a recognition plan that allowed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to provide input into the recognition process. When Abbott agreed, a First Peoples National Convention was held. The convention recommended that the Constitution of Australia be amended to grant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people representation in the federal Parliament and the establishment of a commission to supervise negotiations between First Nations and the government.{{sfn|Leibler|2017}}

Parker is an activist and public policy advisor on Indigenous affairs.{{sfn|Georgatos|2013}} Some of her work in this area includes working at the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in Canberra managing media and communications; serving as a director at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Adelaide; directing public affairs for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission; and serving as media advisor to Robert Tickner, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.{{sfn|Henningham|2013}}{{sfn|AustLit|2019}} She has served as a director of Reconciliation Australia{{sfn|Georgatos|2013}} and co-chair of the Closing the Gap campaign, an initiative which focuses on health issues of Indigenous Australians.{{sfn|Thorpe|2015}}{{sfn|Gooda|Parker|2015}} She is a public speaker often discussing policies affecting Indigenous peoples and how the media can be used to empower Aboriginal people.{{sfn|Parker|2017}}{{sfn|Guardian|2016}}{{sfn||Community Business Bureau|2018|p=2}}

In 2015, she began working as the CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern, New South Wales.{{sfn|Thorpe|2015}} In 2017, she became the third Indigenous person to be appointed to the Australian Press Council.{{sfn|AustLit|2019}}{{sfn|Samios|2017}} Her role on the adjudication panel was to advise the council on Aboriginal issues.{{sfn|NewsMediaWorks|2017}} That year, she also joined the Department of Premier and Cabinet in South Australia as the Director of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation,{{sfn|Community Business Bureau|2018|p=5}} a post she held {{as of|lc=yes|May 2021}}.{{cite web | title=Bio | website=Kirstie Parker | date=27 May 2013 | url=https://kirstieparker.com/my-bio/ | access-date=23 May 2021}}

In June 2021 she took up the role of interim CEO of Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute in Adelaide, until late January 2022.{{cite web |title=‘Significant’ issues behind 'visibly tired' and closed Tandanya|first=David| last=Simmons |website=InDaily |date=31 August 2023 |url=https://www.indaily.com.au/news/2023/08/31/significant-staff-issues-behind-visibly-tired-tandanya-closed |access-date=30 September 2024}}

Awards and honours

Parker has received numerous awards for both her writing and advocacy. In 2001, she received the Australian Government's Centenary Medal for her work with Indigenous communities and women.{{sfn|Department of the Prime Minister|2001}} She received a Centenary Medal for contribution to the Indigenous community and Australian life (2003), and an International Women’s Day Award for service to the SA community in 2000. Her journalism was recognized in 2008 with the Print Media Award of the Australian Human Rights Commission for her article, National Apology: commemorative lift out.{{sfn|Australian Human Rights Commission|2008}} In 2012, Parker was recognized for her activism on behalf of Indigenous people with the 100 Women of Influence Awards presented by the Australian Financial Review.{{sfn|Thorpe|2015}} She was one of the inaugural women honoured with the Australian Peacewomen Awards of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom at the organization's centennial celebrations in 2015.{{sfn|WILPF|2015}} In 2016, Parker was a finalist in the 2016 NSW Women of the Year Awards (Aboriginal Woman of the Year category).{{Cite web|url=https://kirstieparker.com/my-bio/|title=Bio|date=2013-05-27|website=Kirstie Parker|language=en|access-date=2019-11-21}} In 2018, her unpublished manuscript The Making of Ruby Champion won the David Unaipon Award of the Queensland Literary Awards, which included both publication and prize money.{{sfn|The Copyright Agency|2018}}

References

=Citations=

{{reflist|20em}}

=Bibliography=

{{refbegin|30em}}

  • {{cite report |last1=Anderson |first1=John |last2=Hosch |first2=Tanya |last3=Eccles |first3=Richard |title=Final Report of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act of Recognition Review Panel |url=https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/sites/default/files/2016-06/Final_Report_Aboriginal_Torres_Strait_Islander_Act_of_Recognition_Review_Panel_1MB.pdf |publisher=Referendum Council, Government of Australia |date=September 2014 |location=Canberra, Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806043420/https://www.referendumcouncil.org.au/sites/default/files/2016-06/Final_Report_Aboriginal_Torres_Strait_Islander_Act_of_Recognition_Review_Panel_1MB.pdf |archive-date=6 August 2019}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Georgatos |first1=Gerry |title=National Congress elects Kirstie Parker and Les Malezer |url=http://thestringer.com.au/national-congress-elects-kirstie-parker-and-les-malezer-4268 |access-date=14 August 2019 |newspaper=The Stringer |date=18 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929041514/http://thestringer.com.au/national-congress-elects-kirstie-parker-and-les-malezer-4268 |archive-date=29 September 2015 |location=Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Gooda |first1=Mick |last2=Parker |first2=Kirstie |title=Close the gap, not the communities |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-19/gooda-parker-close-the-gap,-not-the-communities/6331150 |access-date=14 August 2019 |agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |newspaper=ABC Online |date=18 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190601191616/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-19/gooda-parker-close-the-gap,-not-the-communities/6331150 |archive-date=1 June 2019 |location=Melbourne, Australia}}
  • {{cite web |last1=Henningham |first1=Nikki |title=Parker, Kirstie |url=http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2891b.htm |website=The Australian Women's Register |publisher=The National Foundation for Australian Women |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415212151/http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2891b.htm |archive-date=15 April 2018 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=16 September 2013}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Kurmelovs |first1=Royce |title=Shutting down Australia's Aboriginal areas |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/12/shutting-down-australia-aboriginal-areas-2014124124749741868.html |access-date=14 August 2019 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=7 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801064350/https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2014/12/shutting-down-australia-aboriginal-areas-2014124124749741868.html |archive-date=1 August 2018 |location=Doha, Qatar}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Leibler |first1=Mark |title=Recognition of our First Peoples is now closer than ever |url=https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/recognition-of-our-first-peoples-is-now-closer-than-ever-20170710-gx83x0.html |access-date=14 August 2019 |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=10 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814201158/https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/recognition-of-our-first-peoples-is-now-closer-than-ever-20170710-gx83x0.html?js-chunk-not-found-refresh=true |archive-date=14 August 2019 |location=Sydney, Australia}}
  • {{cite speech |last1=Parker |first1=Kirstie |title=Kirstie Parker – Keynote Address – Melbourne |url=https://www.hrlc.org.au/bulletin-content/2017/5/25/kirstie-parker-keynote-address-melbourne |event=Human Rights Law Centre Annual Fundraising Dinner |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411083453/https://www.hrlc.org.au/bulletin-content/2017/5/25/kirstie-parker-keynote-address-melbourne |archive-date=11 April 2018 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=25 May 2017}}
  • {{cite web |last1=Samios |first1=Zoe |title=Australian Press Council appoints Indigenous member, Carla McGrath |url=https://mumbrella.com.au/australian-press-council-appoints-first-indigenous-member-carla-mcgrath-447266 |website=Mumbrella.com.au |publisher=Mumbrella |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181105012959/https://mumbrella.com.au/australian-press-council-appoints-first-indigenous-member-carla-mcgrath-447266 |archive-date=5 November 2018 |location=Melbourne, Australia |date=26 May 2017}}
  • {{cite news |last1=Thorpe |first1=Nakari |title=Yuwallarai woman Kirstie Parker has been appointed CEO of the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence, making her the second to hold this position in the organisation's history |url=http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2015/08/05/national-centre-indigenous-excellence-appoints-kirstie-parker-ceo |access-date=14 August 2019 |agency=Special Broadcasting Service |newspaper=NITV News Bulletin |date=5 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170320201234/http://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2015/08/05/national-centre-indigenous-excellence-appoints-kirstie-parker-ceo |archive-date=20 March 2017 |location=Artarmon, New South Wales, Australia}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|WILPF|2015}} |author= |title=Australian Peacewomen Awards |url=http://www.wilpf.org.au/centenary/awards |website=WILPF Australia |publisher=Women's International League for Peace and Freedom |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306005058/http://www.wilpf.org.au/centenary/awards |archive-date=6 March 2019 |location=Canberra, Australia |date=28 May 2015}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|NewsMediaWorks|2017}} |author= |title=Australian Press Council makes new appointments |url=http://www.newsmediaworks.com.au/australian-press-council-makes-new-appointments/ |website=newsmediaworks.com.au |publisher=NewsMediaWorks Australia |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315053914/http://www.newsmediaworks.com.au/australian-press-council-makes-new-appointments/ |archive-date=15 March 2018 |location=Surry Hills, New South Wales, Australia |date=26 April 2017}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Department of the Prime Minister|2001}} |author= |title=Award: Centenary Medal, Ms Kirstie Parker |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1122037 |website=honours.pmc.gov.au/ |publisher=Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |access-date=14 August 2019 |location=Canberra, Australia |date=2001}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|AustLit|2019}} |author= |title=Kirstie Parker |url=https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A64925 |website=austlit.edu.au |publisher=School of Communication and Arts, The University of Queensland |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190812184524/https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/A64925 |archive-date=12 August 2019 |location=Brisbane, Australia |date=22 January 2019}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|The Copyright Agency|2018}} |author= |title=Kirstie Parker wins 30th David Unaipon Award |url=https://www.copyright.com.au/2018/11/kirstie-parker-wins-30th-david-unaipon-award/ |website=copyright.com.au |publisher=The Copyright Agency |access-date=14 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330065451/https://www.copyright.com.au/2018/11/kirstie-parker-wins-30th-david-unaipon-award/ |archive-date=30 March 2019 |location=Sydney, Australia |date=5 November 2018}}
  • {{cite web |ref={{harvid|Australian Human Rights Commission|2008}} |author= |title=Previous Winners |url=https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/2008-human-rights-medal-and-awards-winners |website=hrawards.humanrights.gov.au |publisher=Australian Human Rights Commission |access-date=14 August 2019 |location=Sydney, Australia |date=2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703122450/https://hrawards.humanrights.gov.au/2008-human-rights-medal-and-awards-winners |archive-date=3 July 2019}}
  • {{cite news |ref={{harvid|Guardian|2016}} |author= |title=Remote media in Yirrkala |url=https://www.cpa.org.au/guardian/2016/1755/06-remote-media.html |access-date=14 August 2019 |agency=Koori Mail |issue=1755 |newspaper=Guardian |date=2 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104203656/https://www.cpa.org.au/guardian/2016/1755/06-remote-media.html |archive-date=4 November 2016 |location=Melbourne, Australia}}
  • {{cite conference |ref={{harvid|Community Business Bureau|2018}} |author= |title=Sustainability — Resilience — Leadership |url=https://www.cbb.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ProgramFinal.pdf |date=14 June 2018 |conference=Not for Profit Forum, Darwin, NT |publisher=Community Business Bureau |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306125054/https://www.cbb.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ProgramFinal.pdf |archive-date=6 March 2019 |location=Kensington, South Australia |access-date=14 August 2019}}

{{refend}}

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External links

  • [https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/speakingout/kirstie-parker/10376816 Interview of Parker by Larissa Behrendt: "Fostering Community Voices", On Speaking Out, ABC Radio]
  • https://kirstieparker.com/my-story/

{{DEFAULTSORT:Parker, Kirstie}}

Category:1967 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century Indigenous Australian people

Category:Australian civil rights activists

Category:Women civil rights activists

Category:Government advisors

Category:Journalists from New South Wales

Category:20th-century Australian journalists

Category:21st-century Australian journalists

Category:21st-century Australian women journalists

Category:20th-century Australian women journalists

Category:21st-century Indigenous Australian people

Category:Indigenous Australian women