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the north and west, as well as others who have not moved into the
town for various reasons.
There are a number of agencies funded by the Department of
Aboriginal Affairs within which Aboriginal people exert considerable
authority and influence.
Aboriginal people work with Legal Aid, the Department of Health,
Department of Community Welfare, Commonwealth Employment Service,
the Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Aboriginal Housing. Aboriginal
people administer Davenport reserve and the educational programmes
there. They administer rehabilitation centres for alcoholics and
homes for the aged. They are a band of most impressive people
successful in their jobs, visible as a group to both Aborigines
and non-Aborigines.
There is a degree of autonomy appropriated by the Aboriginal
people in that a panel of Aboriginal people meets regularly to
articulate policy for all the Aboriginal groups.
Unemployment is a focus of great concern. Considerable back-
lash was experienced when a policy of positive discrimination for
Aboriginal apprentices was introduced in the mid-seventies.
5.23 EducationZSchooling at Pt. Augusta
(i) Department of Further Education
The Department of Further Education conducts ’enclave’ courses
for Aborigines as a preparation for office work and apprenticeships,
the latter available through the Commonwealth Railways and government
type institutions. It also co-operates in providing a tutor system
for teacher-aides in a course provided jointly by the Department of
Further Education, the Kindergarten Union and the South Australian
College of Advanced Education.