Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs facts for kids

The Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs (FAA), also known as "the Foundo", was an important group for Aboriginal people in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It operated from 1964 to 1977. The FAA published a newsletter called Irabina and later Black Australian News. It helped Aboriginal people in many ways.

History of the Foundo

The Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs grew from another group called the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship. This earlier group included both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members. Some well-known members were Pearl Gibbs, Joyce Clague, and Faith Bandler. The FAA was created when many Aboriginal people, or Kooris, were moving from country areas to the city.

How the Foundo Started

Plans for the organisation began in 1963. It was founded by Aboriginal men Bill Geddes, Ken Brindle, and Charles Perkins. Ted Noffs, a minister and social activist, also helped start it. A non-Aboriginal woman, Myrtle Cox, was also involved.

The group was first called the Aboriginal Affairs Association. Its name changed to Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs in July 1964. Their first offices were in the Wayside Chapel, which Reverend Noffs founded.

In December 1964, a big fundraising effort collected over £80,000. The NSW Government added another £10,000. This money helped them buy a new building at 810–812 George Street, Sydney in 1965.

The Foundo was meant to be non-religious and non-political at first. But it later became involved in the push for Aboriginal people to control their own communities. Other important people involved were Chicka Dixon, Harry Williams, Gary Foley, and Joyce Clague. Thelma Bate also helped as treasurer.

Charles Perkins became the manager in 1965 and stayed until 1969. He worked very hard, often for 10 hours a day. He felt that some non-Aboriginal leaders did not understand Indigenous issues. Perkins also worked with businesses to help them hire Aboriginal people.

In August 1966, the foundation asked the New South Wales Government for support. They were losing money after paying wages and other costs. The vice-president, D. R. Moore, said that Aboriginal people needed the foundation's help, as they might not trust government groups.

Moving to George Street

In October 1966, the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs moved into its own building at 810–812 George Street. Eric Willis, a government official, officially opened it. Musician Jimmy Little was a member and president around 1970. Lynn Thompson was a secretary, and Connie Nungulla McDonald was an employee.

The foundation worked with the Aboriginal-Australian Fellowship to support the "Yes" vote. This was for the 1967 referendum, which aimed to give the federal government more power to make laws for Aboriginal people. In that year, over 400 people used the foundation's services. By the late 1960s, the foundation's leaders began to push for Aboriginal people to control the organisation.

In 1971, musician and theatre manager Bettie Fisher joined the executive committee. By 1973, only Aboriginal people managed the foundation.

Closing Down

In January 1974, the foundation, led by Michael Anderson, told the government it was running out of money. They had asked for A$159,000 but only received A$62,000 that year. Funding from the public also decreased. Because of this, the foundation stopped its services in 1975.

The organisation finally closed in 1977. This was partly due to a lack of money. Also, there was a growing movement for Aboriginal people to run their own organisations.

How the Foundo Worked

The Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs had important people as patrons, like the Governor of New South Wales. Its advisory board included judges, doctors, bankers, and lawyers. The foundation had people from all political parties and churches. They raised money by asking for donations, speaking at public meetings, and holding social events. Dances at the Redfern Town Hall were popular. These dances helped Aboriginal people feel included in society.

The foundation had different groups focusing on research, welfare, fundraising, and public relations. Funding mainly came from an annual appeal in Sydney. Chicka Dixon and Harry Williams helped run the services. In 1964, the foundation started looking for a full-time Aboriginal social worker. This was the first job of its kind in Australia.

The Foundation offered legal, financial, and practical help. This included support with housing, education for jobs, and medical care. It encouraged Aboriginal people to take control of their lives. It also supported local Aboriginal musicians like Malcolm "Mac" Silva and his band Black Lace, Jimmy Little, Col Hardy, and Claude "Candy" Williams.

In December 1965, the foundation gave grants to five Aboriginal children. This helped them achieve a high level of schooling.

Kathleen Eileen Lester, a welfare officer at the foundation, received an MBE honour in 1970. This was for her great work.

Facilities at George Street

The George Street building was improved over time. It included a gymnasium, a library, meeting rooms, and lounges. There were also rooms for sewing, counselling, and adult education. The building offered short-term housing and a hostel for young people.

The building also had a cultural centre. This centre sold Aboriginal artefacts and art from the Northern Territory and other communities.

Impact and Legacy

The Foundo became a central place for Kooris in the city. They joined social activities and used its welfare programs. The foundation helped inspire important activism, like the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. This group, formed in 1972, helped more people learn about Indigenous issues.

Film About the Foundo

A 2002 documentary film called The Foundation 1963–1977 tells the story of the organisation. It was directed by Troy J. Russell. The film features Joyce Clague, Gary Foley, Chicka Dixon, Esther Carroll, and Roy Carroll. This film shows more than just the organisation's history. It also explores important social and political events for Indigenous people in the 1960s and 1970s.

A DVD of the film was made by Ronin Films and SBS Television.