Join special guest speaker, Aunty Frances Peters-Little for our NSW First Nations Regional Writers Network session.

ARAA (NSW) are committed to developing networking sessions delivered via Zoom for current and aspiring First Nations Writers from Regional NSW to meet and share experiences, learn about and obtain support and resources to take their writing to the next level.

During this networking session Aunty Frances will share her experience writing and publishing “Jimmy Little: A Yorta Yorta Man”.

Frances Peters-Little is a Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay woman and the daughter of Jimmy Little. She has a BA in Communications and is a filmmaker, historian, author and musician. She worked at the ABC as a producer/director for seven years. During the last years of Jimmy Little's life, Frances Peters-Little spent many hours recording her father's reflections and recollections, and after also speaking to many of the musicians who performed with Jimmy Little.

In this first biography of the man and his music, Jimmy Little: A Yorta Yorta Man tells the incredible story of one of Australia’s most acclaimed Aboriginal pop and country music legends and icons, Jimmy Little. At just 16 years of age, Jimmy Little travelled to Sydney to make his radio debut on Australia’s Amateur Hour. The eldest of seven children and born on the Cummeragunja Reserve on the Murray River, Jimmy’s entry into the entertainment industry came at a time when First Nations people were not counted in the census. In the face of indescribable barriers and discrimination, Jimmy would go on to woo the nation. His immense talent, charm and heart saw him become a household name and national treasure. Jimmy’s songs consistently topped the music charts of the 1960s, and he won several of Australia’s most prestigious lifetime achievement awards, including the ARIA Hall of Fame, NAIDOC Person of the Year, and Officer of the Order of Australia. And now his daughter, Frances Peters-Little, tells the full story behind her father’s inspiring ascent to stardom. For though this is a story about a pop star and national celebrity, it is also the story of a gentle man who always stayed true to himself and his cultural identity – a man who believed in the power of living your dreams. Weaving together stories both known and unknown to the public, Jimmy Little: A Yorta Yorta Man will take you on a remarkable journey through a life of music, love and advocacy. An insight into the life of Australian singer-songwriter Jimmy Little.

Established to provide a network for Weavers to Connect during Covid-19 “We Weave Together’ is an online network for regional and remote Aboriginal weavers to come together to weave, share stories and different weaving skills from regional and remote NSW. We invite Aboriginal Yinaar from Regional NSW to register to attend the Zoom sessions. This network continues to grow from strength to strength.

During this session our Special Guest Sonia Undy will share with the network her artistic practice, her journey, and what she is seeking to achieve.

Established in 2021, the ARAA Cultural Tourism network is for current or aspiring Cultural Tourism Operators to meet and share their experiences from across the state. During our Cultural Tourism network session Special Guest Speaker Craig Layer from The NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council (NATOC) will share his knowledge and experience of Aboriginal Cultural Tourism and provide insight into leveraging your Cultural Tourism business to take it to the next level.

“Aboriginal Cultural Tourism is a sharing by Aboriginal people of their Cultural Heritage and connection to Country, it’s an experience that incorporates the value and traditions of Aboriginal people shared in a personal way.”

NSW has the largest visitor economy in Australia and is the most popular destination for both domestic and international visitors. Worldwide, it is a very competitive market that is extremely progressive.

Tourism businesses that directly serve visitors such as hotels, attractions, airlines and tour operators represent only a small proportion of the people that benefit from the industry. As the tourist dollars are spent, they spread throughout the economy and can benefit the community in substantial ways. Total tourism consumption was worth $135.5 billion and directly contributed $55.3 billion to Australia’s GDP in 2016-2017.

Source: Tourism Research Australia, State Tourism Satellite Accounts 2016-17, released April 2018.

The NSW Aboriginal Tourism Operators Council  was formed in 2014 and officially an incorporated association in 2017. The main vision of NATOC is to give voice to Aboriginal owned tourism expertise to better inform industry and provide mentoring to Aboriginal tourism entrepreneurs to fulfil their business journeys.

The NATOC Board consists of six Aboriginal governing directors representing a diverse mix of organisations including Local Aboriginal Land Council, Social Enterprises and small privately-owned businesses. With over 100 years combined experience in business and export tourism, the NATOC directors cover all manner of tourism operations including tour product, accommodation, events, catering and performance.