Aboriginal Publications Foundation facts for kids
The Aboriginal Publications Foundation (APF) was an important group for Aboriginal people in Australia. It existed from 1970 to 1982. The APF helped to support and fund creative projects by Aboriginal people. This included many written works. They also published a national magazine called Identity. This magazine was published from 1971 to 1982. It featured articles by many well-known Aboriginal rights activists. The APF was first based in Sydney, New South Wales. Later, its office moved to Perth, Western Australia.
Contents
How the APF Started and Ended
The Aboriginal Publications Foundation began in 1970. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people could become full members. Other people could join as associate members. Charles Perkins was a key person in setting up the foundation. He worked for the Office of Aboriginal Affairs at the time.
The foundation received money from the government to start. The idea was for it to become self-supporting. However, it never fully achieved this. The APF's main office was in Sydney at first. In 1974, the office moved to Perth.
Later, the Aboriginal Arts Board (AAB) was created. The AAB was part of the Australia Council. It had similar goals to the APF. This meant some of their work was the same. From mid-1975, the AAB took over the APF's promotional work. The APF then became a group that referred people to the AAB.
The APF stopped its operations after 1982. The last issue of Identity magazine was published then. By this time, the AAB was doing most of the jobs the APF used to do.
What the APF Aimed to Do
The main goals of the Aboriginal Publications Foundation were:
- To publish a magazine with creative writing and art by Aboriginal Australians.
- To publish books and other writings by and for Aboriginal Australians.
- To ask Aboriginal people to create works for publication.
- To offer training for Aboriginal Australians in writing and arts.
- To provide money and help to promising Aboriginal artists.
- To hold competitions and give awards for great work by Aboriginal Australians.
By 1980, the APF's main job was publishing the Identity magazine.
Who Ran the APF
An elected committee managed the Aboriginal Publications Foundation. This committee chose the editor for their publications. They also had some say in what was published. The committee met in different places across Australia. A big part of their work was getting money to publish Identity and Aboriginal and Islander Forum.
Many important people were part of the APF's leadership. Oodgeroo Noonuccal (also known as Kath Walker) was the first president. Doug Nicholls and Don Brady were vice-presidents. Charles Perkins was the secretary. Gordon Briscoe was the treasurer. Other committee members included George Abdullah, John Moriarty, Bob Randall, Ken Hampton, and Harry Jakamarra Nelson.
Cheryl Buchanan and Sue Chilly also worked together at the APF. Cheryl Buchanan later started the Black Resource Centre. Sue Chilly co-founded Black Women's Action.
People Who Wrote for Identity
Many talented people wrote for the Identity magazine. Some of these contributors included:
- Kevin Gilbert
- Doug Nicholls
- Bruce McGuinness
- Reg Saunders
- Denis Walker (Kath Walker's eldest son)
