Media release –
Western Australia
Census celebrates NAIDOC Week across Western Australia5 July 2016 | WA/78As part of NAIDOC Week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders culture, history and achievements throughout Western Australia (WA) and encourage people to make sure their voice is heard on Census night Tuesday, 9 August 2016. WA Census Director, David Waymouth, says NAIDOC Week is an important time to talk with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people about the Census and why it’s important they take part and identify their origin. “We know that language and stories passed on from one generation to another maintains Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ connection to country and helps people identify themselves. “The Census also provides an opportunity for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person to identify their origin and be counted - which helps planning for important services like schools, healthcare and housing in communities across Australia.” Census Indigenous Manager, Ollie Smith, says the 2016 Census must reflect true and accurate figures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ensure appropriate services can be provided. “This year’s NAIDOC theme Songlines is important to my Aboriginal heritage, because they are based upon the journeys our ancestral beings travelling across the country creating landscape, the animals and the law. “We must count our people to assist in the planning and infrastructure that will benefit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait population at both national and state levels,” Mr Smith said. The Census will be conducted in remote communities during July and August 2016, with Remote Area Mobile Teams already working with Indigenous communities to ensure they’re counted in the Census. From early August, households in urban areas will receive a letter which provides information on how to complete the Census online. It also provides information on how to request a paper form. The information provided in the Census is kept private and not shared with anyone, including the Police, Housing, Australian Taxation Office (ATO) or Centrelink. WA Census staff is participating in the Official Opening Ceremony at Perth Elizabeth Quay, City of Armadale NAIDOC Celebration Day, Roeburn Senior High School NAIDOC Concert, Albany NAIDOC Family Fun Day and Town of Bassandean NAIDOC Family Fun Day.
Key 2016 Census dates:
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