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'Voices of Australia' Story Deadline Extended (2005)

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Wednesday, 25 July 2005

'Voices of Australia' Story Deadline Extended

Acting Race Discrimination Commissioner, Tom Calma, announced today that the closing date to submit stories to the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s 'Voices of Australia' project has been extended to Monday, 15 August 2005.

Stories received by this date may be included in a magazine being produced by the Commission which will feature real-life stories about diversity and living together in contemporary Australia. Stories not included in the magazine will be placed on our website for all to read.
 
'Voices of Australia' marks the 30th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) and will be distributed to community groups, libraries, local councils, religious groups, government agencies and other groups around the country.

Themes include:

  • Australia: our home: What does it mean for Australia to be your home? What is special about the people and place where you live?
  • Unexpected friendships: How did you meet your friend? What have you learnt from each other?
  • Breaking down barriers: What barriers have you experienced - as an individual or as part of a group? How did you overcome those barriers?
  • Racism: not in my backyard: When did you see or experience racism? How did you respond? How did things change? 
  • From tolerance to respect: When did you feel someone’s attitude towards you change? What does it mean to you to be ‘respected’ rather than ‘tolerated’?

Your story should be no more than one A4 page (400 words), and remember, your writing style isn’t important - it’s your story that matters.
 
We will contact you to let you know if we intend to publish your story in the magazine or on our website. Any personal information you submit will be treated with strict confidentiality.
 
Send your story to us at voices@humanrights.gov.au or by visiting www.humanrights.gov.au/voices or fax it with the completed ‘Approval for Publication Form’ to (02) 9284 9849 (Attn: Voices of Australia) or post to: ‘Voices of Australia’, Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission, GPO Box 5218, Sydney, NSW, 2001.
 
Media Contact:  Paul Oliver (02) 9284 9880 or 0408 469 347

For updates about the Voices of Australia project please join the Racial Discrimination Electronic Mailing List.

Last updated: 25 July 2005.
© Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Comments and Feedback welcome - Email: voices@humanrights.gov.au.