Dear Richard,
I write to make the same request of you that I have made of the Mayor and in the same context. I would appreciate your advice in regard to this as soon as is practical for you but I’ve asked the Mayor to do so by the end of the month as you’ll see below.
On a slightly different matter, you may recall correspondence between yourself, myself and Yvonne Adkins regarding QVMAG compiling a collection of “colonial images of Launceston” – from my perspective as illustrations of ‘placedness’ – via the QVMAG’s BLOG – or as a poor second choice via FACEbook. That seems to have gone nowhere in the end or am I mistaken.
Anyway, it would be a great adjunct for CATCHMENT 43: Troubling Waters and could come at any time. Furthermore, one of the images was discussed a a potential cover for Tom Dunning’s ‘Launceston History’. Likewise, there would be all the advantages (marketing?) deliverable via ‘rhyzomic connectivity’ that we’ve discussed many times.
There could be as little work as posting a series of images or as much as building a a permanent online exhibition an digitally evolving one even, or even a TOURINGexhibition. ALL of which I’m sure funding could be found for if it was looked for. If there is ANY chance at all of resurrecting this LITTLEproject it be good – at least for my research.
I look forward to receiving whatever information you can provide.
Regards,
Ray
PS: se my email to the Mayor Below
Ray Norman
<zingHOUSEunlimited>
The lifestyle design enterprise and research network
PH: 03-6334 2176
EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com
40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody?ought not to be trusted by anybody.”?Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept ”? David Morrison
GO TO ... http://catchment43.blogspot.com.au/
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forwarded Message
From: Ray Norman 7250 <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Mon, 22 Feb 2016 10:52:46 +1100
To: Albert van Zetten <mayor@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: AGAIN – QVMAG Inclusive Programming & Presentation and Personal Discrimination.
Dear Albert,
I write today against the background that I’m embarking upon research for a publication of some kind to do with ‘cities and towns’, placemaking and placescaping.
This will be a follow up on CATCHMENT 43: Troubling Waters – see below – in a way and very much so in the context the ideas discussed there.
Since Launceston is where I live it’ll be an almost automatic background for this research. Moreover, I’ll be looking at the ‘business of local government’ from the perspective that the overarching ‘purpose of Councils’ is in fact in the area of placemaking and placescaping – that is rather than the many alternatives its/they’re imagined as.
Given all that, I’m ethically and morally obliged to inform you of these things in order that you, and those who you lead, are aware and of course are in a position to respond appropriately if called upon.
In the context of all this I am now also seeking your permission to quote directly from the correspondence below given that was originally private correspondence. I would appreciate:
- Your acknowledgement of this request in regard to yourself and the General Manager;
- Your permission to freely use this material in my research; and
- You providing all this by the end of the month at the latest.
I shall write to Richard Mulvaney separately and I look forward to your early response.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman
<zingHOUSEunlimited>
The lifestyle design enterprise and research network
PH: 03-6334 2176
EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com
40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody?ought not to be trusted by anybody.”?Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept ”? David Morrison
GO TO ... http://catchment43.blogspot.com.au/
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forwarded Message
From: Ray Norman 7250 <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2016 14:17:24 +1100
To: Lisa Doolan <Lisa.Doolan@launceston.tas.gov.au>, Albert van Zetten <mayor@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: Re: CONFIDENTIAL: AGAIN – QVMAG Inclusive Programming & Presentation and Personal Discrimination.
Dear Albert,
I acknowledge that you have satisfied yourself, and apparently believe, that the current policy settings relative Tasmanian Aboriginal people and their cultural realities at the QVMAG are not diminishing in the context of inclusiveness and reconciliation in 21st C context.
I will note this and consequently quote your remarks in future writing and correspondence. Nonetheless, I will provide you with copies when and where appropriate.
However, you do ignore my complaint in regard to the personal discrimination that I’m being exposed to and confronted with. I will therefore consider that matter separately and act on advice in due course.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman <zingHOUSEunlimited> PH: 03-6334 2176 EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com 40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody?ought not to be trusted by anybody.”?Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept ”? David Morrison
CLICK HERE:?http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=69
On 15/02/2016 12:09 pm, "Lisa Doolan" <Lisa.Doolan@launceston.tas.gov.au> wrote:
Dear Mr Norman,
Please see a response to your email dated 30 January and then a follow-up on the 14 February to Mayor Albert van Zetten.
Please see response from the Mayor:
Dear Mr Norman,
I refer to the explanation given by Richard Mulvaney dated 29 January 2016, which detailed the ongoing work of the QVMAG in relation to the matters raised by you. I have sought legal advice on this matter and I do not accept the views expressed in your correspondence that these efforts are "tokenistic". Your comments have been given due attention and have been appropriately managed by Council employees. I have nothing further to add.
Yours Sincerely
Albert van Zetten
MAYOR
Lisa Doolan, Executive Assistant to the Mayor I City of Launceston
T 03 6323 3101 I www.launceston.tas.gov.au <http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/>
From: Ray Norman 7250 [mailto:raynorman7250@bigpond.com]
Sent: Sunday, 14 February 2016 5:51 PM
To: Mayor
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL: AGAIN QVMAG Inclusive Programming & Presentation and Personal Discrimination.
Importance: High
CONFIDENTIAL
Dear Albert,
As you will note it is now two (2) weeks since I responded to your request. I regard this as being sufficient time for you to take whatever action you are inclined to take and inform me of what indeed that was/is.
I am keen to resolve this matter as amicably as is possible. However, if you are disinclined to communicate with me I will need to consider much more carefully some of the options being presented to me and act upon them accordingly.
Given the passage of time and your leadership role – and your being consistent with Council’s Organisational Values – I believe that it is now timely that you respond to the issues I put before you by the close of business Monday February 15.
I look forward to your response.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman <zingHOUSEunlimited> PH: 03-6334 2176 EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com 40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept ” David Morrison
CLICK HERE: http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=69
Forwarded Message
From: Ray Norman 7250 <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Mon, 01 Feb 2016 15:06:09 +1100
To: Lisa Doolan <Lisa.Doolan@launceston.tas.gov.au>, Albert van Zetten <mayor@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: Re: CONFIDENTIAL: QVMAG Inclusive Programming & Presentation and Personal Discrimination.
Dear Albert,
I see no reason as to why you shouldn’t seek legal advice given that I do myself.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman <zingHOUSEunlimited> PH: 03-6334 2176 EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com 40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept ” David Morrison
CLICK HERE: http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=69
On 1/02/2016 2:42 pm, "Lisa Doolan" <Lisa.Doolan@launceston.tas.gov.au> wrote:
Dear Ray,
Thank you for your email of 30 January 2016.
Given that you have marked this correspondence as "Confidential" and that it is of a sensitive nature, do I have your permission to seek legal advice as to my response?
Yours sincerely,
Albert van Zetten
MAYOR
Lisa Doolan, on behalf of the Mayor I City of Launceston
T 03 6323 3101 I www.launceston.tas.gov.au <http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au> <http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/>
From: Ray Norman 7250 [mailto:raynorman7250@bigpond.com]
Sent: Saturday, 30 January 2016 8:23 PM
To: Mayor
Subject: CONFIDENTIAL: QVMAG Inclusive Programming & Presentation and Personal Discrimination. CONFIDENTIAL
Dear Albert,
I’m forwarding this email and the thread below for your consideration and action on two counts.
Firstly
The thread of correspondence below between myself, Robert Dobrzynski and Richard Mulvaney to do with the QVMAG’s apparently discriminatory policy relative to the Tasmanian Aboriginal people’s presence in the institution’s ongoing exhibits and displays is concerning.
I find this matter particularly concerning in that it diminishes Launceston in so much as there is even such an exchange taking place at all in Launceston and in 2016.
I’ll not reiterate anything that I’ve said directly to both Robert and Richard. Nonetheless, there is something for you to consider in your role as Mayor and consequent role as the Chairperson of the QVMAG’s Trustees and the community’s representative in matters such as this.
I refer to the Local Govt. Act 1993 Section 62 often quoted by the General Manager. Most recently, albeit on another matter, he has informed me “Section 62 (2) indicates that the General Manager may do anything necessary or convenient to perform his functions under the Act or any other Act.” which would not apply in this instance unless of course Council had indeed determined that such a discriminatory policy be acted upon. I’m assuming that Council has not!
If there is no such a policy determination by Council the situation evident to me is concerning, and as I’ve said elsewhere, its diminishing to the Launceston/Tasmanian community in its broad context.
The action that needs to be taken I believe would be self-evident to you and I therefore call upon you to take all the steps necessary to appropriately resolve this matter.
Secondly
The General Manager wrote to me just prior to Christmas informing me, paraphrased, that in regard to any matter I could only contact QVMAG personnel via his agency.
In doing so recently I received the following response – “ As I have repeatedly said to you, I will not engage in discussion with you on these or other matters.“ Sadly, I have no option but to regard this as evidence, indeed further evidence, that I am being discriminated against.
Furthermore, I do not believe that the Local Government Act 1993, and SECTION 62 in particular, is intended to say, in this context, that “ the General Manager may do anything necessary or convenient to perform his functions under the Act or any other Act “ (quoting Robert) or in my case, to openly discriminate against me.
Nor do I believe, as you’ve informed me before, that it is within the provenance of the General Manager and thus he” is empowered to do what is necessary as he views it to enact on such matters and therefore it is out of the Aldermen's power to advise on such matters” ... for example discriminate against a Council constituent – as he has indicated in writing he would do to myself – and arguably has done.
I’m taking independent advice on this matter and I would therefore ask you to provide your response to the situation I’m describing here by the close of business Monday.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman <zingHOUSEunlimited> PH: 03-6334 2176 EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com 40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept ” David Morrison
CLICK HERE: http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=69
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Forwarded Message
From: Ray Norman 7250 <raynorman7250@bigpond.com>
Date: Sat, 30 Jan 2016 12:10:48 +1100
To: Richard Mulvaney <Richard.Mulvaney@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Cc: Robert Dobrzynski <Robert.Dobrzynski@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Subject: Re: QVMAG Inclusive Programming & Presentation.
Good morning Richard,
Thank you for your email and I’m sure that you are aware that I’m quite well informed about most of what you lay out here – and especially so as I’ve been an agitator in regard to this matter for well over a decade.
Of course you’ve provided details that I’m unaware of but without taking anything away from all that, what you’ve seemed to miss is the point that I was making. Either the issue is not on anyone’s radar at all or there is something else at work that I’m totally unaware of and that is driving what appears to be discriminatory decision making – decision making that diminishes the QVMAG’s Community of Ownership & Interest!
I do ‘acknowledge’ that the work you talk about is going on; I do acknowledge that it is significant; but it is just the case that the ‘acknowledgement’ of Tasmania’s Aboriginal cultural realities, currently, is somewhat invisible at the QVMAG either on site physically, or online.
As you say we’ve discussed this before and over many years now – so by extension, enough time has passed for the issue to be addressed.
A memorable occasion for us both would be late 2012 early 2013 when I was preparing my papers for COOLABAH – published out of the Australia Studies Unit at the University of Barcelona:
- Interrogating Placedness: Tasmanian Disconnections – http://www.ub.edu/dpfilsa/coola11raynorman20.pdf.
· Necklace making and placedness in Tasmania – http://www.ub.edu/dpfilsa/coola11raynorman22.pdf
You will recall I gave you the QVMAG references for your approval and comment. My observations, and by extension your acknowledgement of them can be dated to then at least. Since then the current tokenism has prevailed, I’d say relentlessly, even if there’ve been short periods of time when my critique mightn’t have been absolutely watertight.
Interestingly, at the opening of ‘Tasmanian Connections’ – clearly not your curatorship – I drew attention to the ‘missing people’ compared to say the ‘celebrated convict presence’, colonial shipwrecks, etc. That critique went straight through to the keeper as if it was a ‘no-ball’. Interestingly at that opening there was no acknowledgment of ‘country’ nor ‘the palawa elders past and present’. That kind of omission persisted for too long albeit that ‘country and palawa people’ are currently consistently acknowledged.
Yet the ‘missing people’ are still relatively invisible despite all that you say is going on, and again I do acknowledge its importance and significance ... It’s just the case that its going on invisibly in the background somewhere ... Well out of sight ... Publically out of mind ... Apparently too hard to deal with ... Not unlike other kinds of discrimination.
Before now I’ve been offered the explanation that the current situation, whenever that was, was due to a “lack of resources”. Any professional operation with an operating budget the size of the QVMAG’s could not, I suggest would not, offer that explanation with a straight face in the context of 21st C Aboriginal acknowledgement, inclusion and reconciliation.
So it’s against that background that I invoked David Morrison. I’m sorry, but it is all too clear that there are standards here that have been, and arguably are still being, “walked past”.
When competing for space, resources and attention currently its clear walking through the door on either campus that the Tasmanian Aboriginal stories just do not cut it compared to say European wasps, blue and white ceramics, colonial family portraits, colonial and convict histories, etc. that all have found ‘available niches’, sometimes in apparently quick-smart time.
On my Friday Jan 29 visit to both campuses I did not find one single example of a manifestation of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people’s own story or storytelling. For several years, typically there’ve been less than 10 examples of Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural production on show – and then, typically in a colonial context. The time has come when it is no longer a sustainable proposition, nor an ethical one, to hold the view that the Tasmanian Aboriginal community ‘is not really there’ nor not really a part of Tasmania’s cultural reality.
As for the posters you mention, I forgot to seek them out on Friday so I’m assuming that they’re indeed there and that I missed them. Nonetheless, all this ‘tis-tisn’t finger pointing’ takes us nowhere interesting. Therefore, I submit yet again that the time for excuses is well and truly over and that:
2. It would likewise be appropriate to put the Internet, and specifically social media, to work to present and market Launceston’s commitment to proactive inclusion and reconciliation in respect to Tasmania’s Aboriginal community via the QVMAG’s sites.
These are things the institution must do on its own initiative!
This wouldn’t need to be a grand gesture right now but I submit it would need to be something realistic, something significant and something much more than a tokenistic poster.
In amongst the omissions and avoidance, Stan Grant's recent and incredibly poignant speech is right there with its many echoes ... and for me at least, with its very loud and reverberating echoes. And then there is Noel Pearson’s recent Press Club address.
I reiterate that I believe there’re “win-wins” to be had here that would flow through to the community in multi-dimensional ways. Therefore, I again call upon Council to use its good offices and the QVMAG’s collections to address this lingering issue and without delay.
I look forward to a response to the position I’m presenting with considerable interest.
Regards,
Ray Ray Norman <zingHOUSEunlimited> PH: 03-6334 2176 EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com 40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Thomas Paine
“The standard you walk past is the standard you accept ” David Morrison
CLICK HERE: http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=69
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On 29/01/2016 8:19 am, "Richard Mulvaney" <Richard.Mulvaney@launceston.tas.gov.au> wrote:
Dear Ray
Your email of yesterday was passed onto me by the General Manager, Robert Dobrzynski, to reply. We have discussed the matter of Tasmanian Aboriginal representation at QVMAG before and we are working to redress the situation.
As you are aware we are working on a new permanent gallery tilted The Gallery of the First Tasmanians to be located in the Art Gallery. It will open during NAIDOC Week in July 2017.
The consultant curator is Greg Lehman a Tasmanian Aboriginal academic. The exhibition is being developed through the QVMAG Aboriginal Reference Group who are actively involved. Damien Quilliam, QVMAG Curator of Contemporary Art, also a Tasmanian Aboriginal, is the liaison between the ARG and QVMAG. It is a multi-discipline exhibition that is involving a lot of our staff that are very committed to finally having a permanent place in QVMAG where the continuing story of Tasmanian Aboriginal culture can be told.
We received $293k in grant funding from the Tasmanian Community Fund for this. The maximum you can apply for is $300k. They were very moved by our application and as with the grant conditions we are keeping them informed of developments. We have since put up a poster at both sites that outlines our intentions to open the gallery in 2017.
We are also working collaboratively with La Trobe University on our stone tool collection on a major three year study of manufacture, trade and people movement in north-east Tasmania. The Plomley Foundation has sponsored another Tasmanian Aboriginal, Julie Gough, to review our Aboriginal collection in readiness for the Gallery of the First Tasmanians.
Lastly QVMAG will be acquiring the entire collection of the Lola Greeno exhibition that is currently touring Australia until 2018. As you know, Lola is a respected Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder and contemporary artist from Launceston. The exhibition was a collaboration with the Australian Design Centre and they have agreed to donate the exhibition furniture once the tour is completed.
We are working in cooperative and close consultation with our Aboriginal Reference Group. That is how it should be. They will continue to guide us on what we can do on an ongoing nature with the aim to have a continuing and meaningful dialogue with the Aboriginal community. I hope in doing so we more than meet the sentiments expressed by David Morrison.
As a courtesy to them I will forward your correspondence to them.
Regards, Richard
Richard Mulvaney I Director I City of Launceston Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery and Princess Theatre
T 03 6323 3700 I M 0409 744 392 I www.qvmag.tas.gov.au <http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au> <http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au> <http://www.qvmag.tas.gov.au/>
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
From: Ray Norman 7250 [mailto:raynorman7250@bigpond.com]
Sent: Thursday, 28 January 2016 8:07 AM
To: Robert Dobrzynski
Subject: QVMAG Inclusive Programming & Presentation.
Good morning Robert,
Given Noel Pearson’s speech at the Press Club yesterday (see below); the Tasmanian Government’s reconciliatory approaches to Tasmania’s Aboriginal community; and myself being reminded yet again that QVMAG’s representation of Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural realities being tokenistic, I’m writing today bring these things to your attention.
Moreover, given that Launceston City Council declares loud and clear, that it “owns and operates the Queen Victoria Museum & Art Gallery” the tokenism exhibited towards the Tasmanian Aboriginal community on display at the QVMAG is, I submit, diminishing to all Launcestonians.
Therefore against this background I put it to you:
It would be a positive move to urgently, immediately and obviously, use the QVMAG’s substantial collections to present an image of inclusion and reconciliation on both sites; and
It would likewise be appropriate to put the Internet, and specifically social media, to work to present and market Launceston’s commitment to proactive inclusion and reconciliation in respect to Tasmania’s Aboriginal community via the QVMAG’s sites.
Australian of the Year, David Morrison’s now famous ‘comment’ (see below) would seem to apply, and somewhat poignantly, here. As someone who has found myself unable to “walk past” the situation as it pertains at the QVMAG for as long as I’ve been aware of it I can only say there are significant win-wins to be had by urgently addressing this issue.
I also suggests that these “wins” would flow through to the wider community. I therefore call upon you to use your good offices as the QVMAG’s ultimate Executive Officer to address this issue.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman <zingHOUSEunlimited> PH: 03-6334 2176 EMAIL 1: raynorman7250@bigpond.com 40 Delamere Crescent Trevallyn TAS. 7250
WEBsite: http://www.raynorman7250.blogspot.com
“A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.”
Thomas Paine
CLICK HERE: http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=69
NOEL PEARSON STORY
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/i-was-35-and-made-the-wrong-turn-noel-pearson-reveals-his-greatest-regret-20160127-gmezc7.html
<https://twitter.com/LtonCityCouncil> <http://www.youtube.com/user/LauncestonCtyCouncil> <http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au> <http://yourvoiceyourlaunceston.com.au/>
Please consider the environment before printing this, or any other e-mail or document.
________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
Information in this transmission is intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying or dissemination of the information is unauthorised and you should delete/destroy all copies and notify the sender. No liability is accepted for any unauthorised use of the information contained in this transmission.
This disclaimer has been automatically added.
End of Forwarded Message
<https://twitter.com/LtonCityCouncil> <http://www.youtube.com/user/LauncestonCtyCouncil> <http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au> <http://yourvoiceyourlaunceston.com.au/>
Please consider the environment before printing this, or any other e-mail or document.
________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
Information in this transmission is intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying or dissemination of the information is unauthorised and you should delete/destroy all copies and notify the sender. No liability is accepted for any unauthorised use of the information contained in this transmission.
This disclaimer has been automatically added.
------ End of Message
<https://twitter.com/LtonCityCouncil> <http://www.youtube.com/user/LauncestonCtyCouncil> <http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au> <http://yourvoiceyourlaunceston.com.au/>
Please consider the environment before printing this, or any other e-mail or document.
________________________________________
CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER
Information in this transmission is intended only for the person(s) to whom it is addressed and may contain privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying or dissemination of the information is unauthorised and you should delete/destroy all copies and notify the sender. No liability is accepted for any unauthorised use of the information contained in this transmission.
This disclaimer has been automatically added.
------ End of Forwarded Message
------ End of Forwarded Message
