Jason Barrow
Jason Barrow is a Noongar man with extensive family ties throughout the south-west of Western Australia.
Upon graduating year 12 in the class of 1991 with Dux in Aeronautics, Jason gained entry into Murdoch University where he studied towards a BSc in Environmental Science. Whilst studying, Jason gained many varied experiences in a vast array of different working environments from various trades to customer service roles before deciding to put his studies on hold and refocus his aspirations.
In 1998 Jason regained a thirst for knowledge enrolling and studying towards a Cert 3 in Heritage and Cultural Tourism at the West College of TAFE. Whilst undertaking these studies Jason gained an employment opportunity with the Department of Conservation and Land Management in WA (formally Dept of CALM, now the Dept of Environment and Conservation or DEC) within the Yanchep National Park (NP).
Not long after joining CALM Jason was also offered a traineeship with the Department, Cert 3 in Land Care which he completed in 2000. It was here that Jason's professional working career began as an Aboriginal Heritage Officer overseeing the development and implementation of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage program into Yanchep NP.
In mid 2001, Jason was appointed the Education Coordinator for Yanchep NP and further developed many environmental and Aboriginal cultural interpretive activities for a range of audiences from school children through to international tourists. During this time Jason developed an extensive background and first hand working knowledge of the principles and practices of Aboriginal Cultural and Environmental Tourism at work in the protection and conservation of our natural estates in WA. During his time with the Dept of CALM Jason managed several major natural resource destinations including Yanchep National Park and Penguin Island to the south of Perth in the Shoal Water Islands Marine Park.
In mid-2005 Jason was recruited from the Dept of CALM to join the Kulunga Research Network at the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research. Jason‘s role within Kulunga is as the Coordinator of the Indigenous Capacity Building Grant (ICBG) and is responsible for forging and maintaining the close supportive links and where necessary advocating on behalf of the Indigenous Team Investigators (TIs) during the life of the ICBG. Given the wide spread of locations covered by the TIs, Jason is also able to assist the Kulunga team with various projects whilst maintaining ties with each of the TIs in a face to face fashion.
In 2007 Jason became the 'link person' for the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research with the Cooperative Research Centre for Aboriginal Health. This position will allow Jason to utilise his networking and facilitation skills to maintain the relationship between the two centres.
Jason is a valued and respected member of his community and has established and fostered many ongoing relationships in both a professional and social capacity.
What a reconciled Australia looks like to me.
My vision of a reconciled Australia is one that acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first custodians of Australia and celebrates us as such. To achieve this the past must be truly acknowledged by all, so that together we can move forward.
In coming together as a reconciled group of Australians celebrating the first custodians of the land, we're also importantly able to learn and foster the integral links to 'country' we should all have as Australians.
I believe this, it is the responsibility of ALL Australians to 'care for country' in a way that will leave it better for our time here, so that our children may follow our example with their children in turn. We will only succeed by truly listening, hearing and learning from the first custodians.
A truly reconciled Australia should also be accepting of all people within our shores and allow a fair go for all. In approaching this with an open mind and heart, we can't but help grow with the knowledge and experiences that the many different and diverse cultural groups bring to Australia.
This is my vision for a Reconciled Australia.
Jason Barrow
