Director of Nulloo Yumba, William Oates will discuss the current issues in indigenous education at an Australian College of Educators Dinner on Thursday 21 November.

CQU staff members are invited to attend the function which will be held at the North Rockhampton Bowls Club from 6.30 to 9.30pm. Cost is $10 for members and $20 for non-members which includes a three-course meal and tea and coffee.

Mr Oates is an Australian Aborigine from western New South Wales who has taught in New South Wales and Queensland at both school and university levels.

He was the general manager of a regional Aboriginal Legal Service and worked with many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community boards and related organisations.

During Mr Oates’ career in education he taught prep (infants), primary, high school and university, as well as 16 years as school principal. He has been a lecturer in Aborginal Education at the University of Western Sydney, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Aborginal Centres of both University of New England and Central Queensland University.

William has served on Regional Aboriginal Education Consultative groups for the Department of Education and TAFE. He was president of an Aboriginal Education Consultative group and actively involved in school-based committees to further Aboriginal student and parent participation.

He has worked with schools and school communities to improve educational opportunities for Aboriginal people and the imaginative playfulness of curriculum as praxis that further the notions of educating custodians in real-life contexts. His research interests are in the areas of stereotypes and the building of the Aboriginal identity.

To reserve your seat at the ACE dinner phone Jillian Litster on 4930 9235 email j.litster@cqu.edu.au or John Watts on 4930 9565 email j.watts@cqu.edu.au.