1

G L a W A C N E W S

Issue 22

Yalaban (Autumn)

Edition 2017

2

Elders’ Council, Board Members and StaffElders’ CouncilAunty Gwen Atkinson –Chair

Aunty Lena Morris- Vice Chair

Aunty Deanna Campbell

Aunty Betty Solomon

Uncle Colin Thomas

Aunty Gwen McGregor

Aunty Rachel Mullett

Uncle Mitchell Booth

Aunty Margaret Donnelly

Aunty Shirley Foster

Aunty Glenis Solomon

Aunty Fay Voss

Aunty Maria Harrison

GLaWAC Board MembersMember Directors

Troy McDonald

Russell Mullett

Doris Paton

Brian Stevens

Joanne Brunt

Glenys Watts

Independent Directors

Graeme Dear

David Brennan

Administration Staff

Roger Fenwick-Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Mardi Edwards- Human Resources Manager

Ruth Fitzclarence- Marketing and Communications

Maureen Penwill- Finance

Vikki Eldridge- Senior Administration

Receptionists

Bianca Baker Mingara Wandin

RAP Casual Site Monitors

Paul Harrison

Alfie Hudson

Tim Paton

Mal Siely

Max Solomon

Doug Harrison

Steven Hood

Nicky Moffat

On Country Team

Grattan Mullett Snr- Cultural Hub Manager

Robbie Farnham- Supervisor On-Country

Andy Booth- NRM Project Coordinator

Mick Farnham

Bradley Hood

Grattan Mullett Jnr

Nigel Pearce

Patrick Mullett

Corey Jack

John Neilson

Dylan Davies-Hood

Shay Terrick

Kobi Cook

Bronson Ritchie

*The name for the autumn edition is Yalaban. The Yalaban is the native raspberry which grows at this time of year. There isn’t an autumn season in Gunaikurnai, only summer and winter as the people moved across the country and spent winter months on the coast and summer in the mountains and lived everywhere else in between. The four seasons are a western concept of seasons and most Aboriginal seasons range between 6-8 for the year. Thank you to Dr Doris Paton for her advice and guidance on providing suitable language names for the newsletters.

3

This Issue• CEO Report 4-5

• Joint Management (JM) Rangers Report 6-7

• Natural Resource Management (NRM) Report 8-9

• Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) Report 10-11

• Cultural Hub Report 12-13

• Yarning With 14

• Language 15

• Partnerships 16-19

• Community Connections 20-21

• End of Special Administration 22

• GunaiKurnai Traditional Owners Land Management Board 23

• Disclaimer 24• Photos below- Top L-R Nigel Pearce and Bronson Ritchie- Ethnobotanist training, Mick Farnham and Andy

Booth- Mount Buffalo, Bottom L-R Frances Harrison and Brian Stevens at the Gippsland Art on Show 2017, Nicky Moffat conducting a smoking ceremony at Heyfield- Southern Rural Water.

4

Hi my name is Roger Fenwick and I commenced in the role of Chief Executive Officer of GLaWAC, on 24 April 2017. My previous role was as Manager of Regional Operations and more recently, Acting Regional Director Eastern Victoria for Parks Victoria. I was also the relationship manager for Parks Victoria with the Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners.

Our current core operational business is administering cultural heritage requirements for the community, the Joint Management of 10 parks, running a natural resource management enterprise and building the cultural hub. We are an entity that continues to grow and strengthen, since our beginnings in 2010.

Community leadership is not an easy job and I am really impressed by the efforts of the GunaiKurnai community to build this corporation. I look forward to working hard with your board/elders and the wider community to build on our foundations and explore new opportunities. I would also like to personally thank Jo Brunt for her hard work on behalf of all during the recent past.

I strongly believe that Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) needs to reconnect with our members and the community and ensure we are as inclusive as possible. I understand you want to understand more about your organisation and feel that you can play a part in it. Working within our rules and budgets, I will work hard with the board to support more on country events so we can yarn together in a positive way and look for opportunities.

Our employees play an important role in building our reputation in the community and with our partners, this requires everyone to be accountable in their roles and work as a team. We operate in a competitive world and I am very keen to seek guidance from the community and I will work hard to grow our member base and employment skills and opportunities

I also wish to praise the non-aboriginal staff and supporters who are working tirelessly to support you in building your corporation. A priority of mine is to enhance appropriate succession planning and opportunities are available for community members who wish to seek employment in all of the various roles at GLaWAC.

I also wish to reach out to your many other aboriginal leaders across your community to seek your views in how GLaWAC can enhance its reputation. As together your influence and reputation is enhanced.

I have built a strong reputation in achieving many significant land management outcomes and pushing agencies to seek the views of Traditional owners first and always. I am not an expert in some aspects, so I hope you will be open with me when I ask questions. I want see how we are doing things now and how we might look for improvements. My interest is in people and outcomes and I am action-focused. I will be making plans for us all to work together to further the sustainability of the corporation.

We have many strong partnerships with key organisations and businesses, which we are proud of and which assist us in achieving our goals. Our Whole of Country plan states our 7 goals, which are a direct result of the GunaiKurnai community consultations.

As we strive to fulfil the aspirations of the GunaiKurnai people, I will be seeking a commitment from all staff and members to achieve this goal. GLaWAC is now a stable corporation that continues to grow and increase its influence across many areas.

I would like to notify all that the General Manager position has been accepted by an Aboriginal man. Once the final steps in the process are complete I will communicate the details.

I will be building capacity to address disadvantage, whilst creating many and varied opportunities for Gunaikurnai people. I would like GLaWAC to become a major employer of the Gunakurnai people, while also creating more supportive and secure opportunities for the Gunaikurnai to work with other organisations.

Kind regards,

Roger Fenwick

C E O ’ s m e s s a g e

5

Farewell from JoAfter an exciting and challenging 14 months with GLaWAC as General Manager- On Country and Acting

CEO, I am now saying farewell to everyone as my secondment role comes to an end. I will be resuming

my role as Indigenous Employment Coordinator with the Latrobe City Council in June 2017.

I would like to thank all of you for your support, humour and commitment over the past 14 months. It has

made my time with GLaWAC memorable and enjoyable (for most of it anyhow!). When I first started here

I was focused on improving the sustainability of the Natural Resource Management (NRM) team and then

things changed and I found myself in the position of Acting CEO. Challenging is one word I use to describe

the past 14 months but it has been ultimately a positive experience and the future of the corporation is

stable.

Mr Roger Fenwick is the new CEO of Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and

I know that he will lead the corporation into a new and exciting chapter. I wish him all the very best and I

hope you will make time to meet him in the near future.

Kind regards,

Jo Brunt

6

On country Team Update-JM RangersThe Joint Management Rangers have been kept busy over the past few months with a variety of projects. The Ethnobotanist training was a highlight and the team tagged 26 native plants on the Marsdenia walking track, with the possibility of turning the track into a bush tucker/medicine trail with interpretation signage.

The JM Rangers have been meeting Matt Holland, who is the GKTOLMB Project Coordinator, every Monday to plan and coordinate projects within the 10 parks and reserves. Three projects that have commenced are the Lake Tyers camping and access strategy, the New Guinea II site assessment and excavated material repatriation and the Joint Managed Parks signage strategy.

Al of the Gunaikurnai JM Ranger works are now scheduled and developed by myself. This was previously led by Susie Cutlack from Parks VIC. This shift in responsibilities shows the leadership that GLaWAC is taking within the partnership of the JM Parks.

The new Joint Management promotional banners are being used to showcase the beautiful and diverse country that is Gunaikurnai country. Come into the Forestec office and have a look at the photo gallery.

The Sperm Whale Head project is coming along well. We have painted the BBQ shelter and installed the directional signage and interpretation post. I look forward to keeping you updated with this exciting project.

Our JM Rangers and NRM Team members attended the fuel reduction burns over the eight day period up at Swifts Creek and Dargo.

Some of the areas we have been working on;

Mitchell River National Park- spraying blackberries, installing bollards and camping ground maintenance.

• Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park- installing signs and new BBQ’s.

• Glasshouse- Installing bollards to prevent people from driving and camping on the lake side.

• Raymond Island- clearing bracken ferns and preparing for revegetation.

• Knob Reserve- Upgrading the fence railing.

• Buchan Caves- welcoming the Governor to the Buchan Caves Reserve.

• New Guinea cave- site visit with Parks VIC staff and TOLM board members.

The JM Rangers continue to develop their skills with regular training opportunities and sharing knowledge.

We continue to build strong relationships with Parks VIC staff and we thank them for their support.

Thanks, Robbie Farnham

Robbie FarnhamJM Ranger Supervisor

7

Photos below: Top L-R Grattan Mullet Jnr at the Swifts Creek/Dargo fuel reduction burns, Ethnobotanist training, Centre-Corringle working bee, Bottom- Shay Terrick, Pat Mullett, Dylan Davies-Hood JM Rangers and Katherine Mullett- Parks VIC. Photo opposite page- Shay Terrick and Dylan Davies-Hood working at Bunga Arm

8

Natural Resource Management (NRM) Team updateHi, my name is Andy Booth and I am the Business Development Coordinator for the NRM team.

Some interesting facts about the Natural Resource Management team:

• We have 7 permanent full-time employees

• 1 Supervisor Mentor

• NRM enterprises have been operation since 2013

• All our work is guided by the Whole of Country plan.

Some of the tasks we undertake include; Weed control, tree planting, fox baiting, rabbit control, fire fighting with DELWP, seed collecting, fencing, site preparation for tree planting, tree maintenance, nest box installation , monitoring and maintenance

Our partners are; EGCMA, WGCMA, NECMA, Parks Victoria, Landcare Network and its local groups, Greening Australia, Gippsland Plains and East Gippsland Rainforest Conservation Management Network, Corner Inlet working group, Trust for Nature, East Gippsland Shire council, Wellington Shire council.

Some of our major projects at the moment are; Gippsland Lakes 3 People Project , fire-fighting with DELWP and Parks, WGCMA Corner Inlet Project( Fox Baiting on Dream Island, midden restoration at McLaughlin’s Beach), Buchan Caves Reserve mowing maintenance work with Parks Victoria, fox baiting throughout Corringle and Lake Tyers State Park DELWP, Threatened Species Rainforest restoration at Nyerimilang- DELWP.

The NRM team are increasing the range and scope of their NRM skills. Working in a diverse range of landscapes and having the knowledge of plants and skills to protect their land. The NRM team have really come a long way in the past 12 months. With all their hard work we have gained the trust and respect of various NRM agencies around East and West Gippsland to undertake conservation works they are managing.

One of the projects involved an overnight stay in swags at Mount Buffalo. The Gunaikurnai and Taungurung clans met in the Alpine peatlands at Mount Buffalo on 27 and 28 March. The meeting, between the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Council (GLaWAC) and the Taungurung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (TCAC) was a significant step towards understanding the environment from a cultural perspective and sharing knowledge.

Natural Resource Management team members from GLaWAC and TCAC attended the knowledge exchange. The sharing of technical skills and knowledge about the peatlands environment was a great step towards strengthening the NRM teams for both corporations.

Mount Buffalo, represents part of a highly fragmented ecological communities across the Great Divide.Mount Baw Baw in Gunaikurnai country, is also home to a community of Alpine Peatlands. The Peatlands at Mount Baw Baw are significant to the Gunaikurnai as it is one of the few environments of its type in Gunaikurnai country. Organisations involved in the project include GLaWAC, TCAC, East Gippsland-Catchment Management Authority (CMA), West Gippsland (CMA), North East (CMA) and Parks Victoria.

The NRM team have also participated in an intensive 5 day training session with two highly trained Ethnobotanists. The team travelled to different locations and learned significant skills on how to identify plants and their uses. Some of the hands-on training was very exciting with some of the team members using traditional materials and techniques to start a fire. We look forward to continuing the training and the development of the knowledge sharing.

We are currently advertising for two more casual NRM team members. Please see the GLaWAC website for more information www.gunaikurnai.org. Thanks, Andy Booth

9

Photos below: Mount Buffalo cultural exchange and Ethnobotanist training

10

On Country- Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) Report

The GLaWAC RAP Team have been busy over the past few months and covering large distances to complete the works.

Below are some of the areas that they have been working in.

CHMP 13808 Santos Orbost – Inception Meeting and Cultural Heritage Induction

CHMP 13353 Parks Vic – Tidal River – Salvage work.

CHMP 14729 Residential Subdivision, Maffra – Close Out Meeting.

CHMP 14823 Residential Development – Moe – Inception.

CHMP 14849 Campsite 9 - Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park – Inception and Complex Assessment and Close out Meeting

CHMP 14856 New sewer pipelines – Flynns Creek – Inception and Field Work

CHMP 14480 Swan Reach - Inception and Field work

CHMP 14916 Raymond Island - Standard/Complex Assessment

CHMP 14929 Dowds and Heart Morasses – Inception Meeting

CHMP 14931 Installation of SPS in Lake Bunga – Inception and Field Work

Greening Australia – Lindenow South -Survey

Blue Pool Rec Site – Briagalong

Heyfield – Russell, Tim & max

NRM – Tarra Valley – Mal & Doug

Permit Application-NBN – Bairnsdale and Metung

Cloggs Cave

Site Inspection – Yarram (Nicky Moffatt, Max Solomon and Russell Mullett)

• Knob Survey

• Picnic Point Salvage

• Sale Gippsland Water Salvage

• Bairnsdale-Paynesville Rd CHMP

• Sale Wetlands CHMP

• Raymond Island CHMP

• Glenaladale CHMP

• Freestone Creek CHMP

11

Training and Staff Development

A second workshop was held with field workers preparing Cultural Induction Kits and developing cultural education packages for sponsors.

IPAD App training ie: GPS Mapping

• RAP participating in the creation of Induction Kits.

• Paul Harrison, Malcolm Siely and Steve Hood attended at Forestec for half a day so Geoff McHugh (NRM Mentor) can continue with their training on NRM modules.

Protection of Scar TreesThere are three types of scarred trees – live, dead and dead fallen. They can be found near rivers, lakes and associated floodplains. The scars, which vary in size, expose the sapwood on the trunk or branch of a tree and are the result of bark removal. Scarred trees are often easier to find than many other Aboriginal archaeological sites. If you believe that you have found a dead fallen scarred tree, please leave it in place. What to look for: •scars are generally cut vertically into a tree often with parallel sides and slightly pointed or rounded end •exposed sapwood at the base and (more rarely) at the top of the scar may show stone or steel tax cuts •scars usually stop above ground level•Exposed sapwood is free of tree knots or branches, or evidence of any branch having been at the top of the scar•The tree is an Australian native tree species which occurs naturally in the district.

12

Cultural Hub Report The Cultural Hub program has been working with the Melbourne Museum to gain advice and support in setting up a cultural display area within Forestec. I recently met with Bunjilaka staff and viewed the current collections from Gippsland which consisted of artefacts and photographic materials.

The museum will provide us with a detailed brief to enable us to progress with the next steps to ensure we meet the standards for the development of a cultural and photographic display.

Delivered a cultural awareness training session with staff from the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA). We will be hosting a two day field trip with staff in the coming weeks.

The Gippsland Lakes Art on Show held at Forestec in partnership with the Lakes Rotary Club was a huge success with a large gathering in attendance on opening night. The weekend also seen large groups of people come through and view the extensive works by local, interstate and Aboriginal artists. The Aboriginal category sponsored by GLaWAC was won by local artist Alfie Hudson.

We performed a number of Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremonies for a range of organisations including: Governor of Victoria visit to East Gippsland, launch of Headspace a centre in Bairnsdale to provide support services to young people with mental health issues, and upcoming events for the WGCMA Scout group cultural day at Perry Bridge , and the Australian Alpine History Association Conference at Mount Hotham. We also conducted a welcome and smoking ceremony at the official opening of the new Southern Rural Water balancing storage. The name of the storage is ‘Willang Yarn’ which means ‘Rain Water’ in Gunaikurnai language. We were pleased to be able to have the opportunity to name this water facility.

A cultural heritage talk with students from Federation Training who are currently studying Conservation Land Management. The talk will be followed by a field trip to inspect the coastal shell midden site at Red Bluff Beach at Lake Tyers.

Cultural Awareness training sessions are planned for East Gippsland CMA, Southern Rural Water and East Gippsland Water for the next couple of months. The Department of Environment Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) will also book dates for training sessions later this year.

Kind regards,

Grattan Mullett SnrPhotos opposite page- Top L-R Grattan Mullet Snr and Sharon Houlihan- Wellington Shire, Grattan Mullet Snr pre-senting an award at the Gippsland Art on Show, Centre-- Grattan Mullett Snr and Ruth Fitzclarence at Gippsland Art on Show 2017- Bottom- Southern Rural Water welcome and smoking ceremony to unveil the new name of the balancing storage- Willang Yarn.

The East Gippsland Shire Council recently hosted a two day visit by the Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau AM. GLaWAC representatives were invited to meet with her on a tour of Buchan

Caves and a boat cruise on the Gippsland Lakes. We performed a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony at a Civic reception at the Council offices in Lakes Entrance to conclude her

visit to East Gippsland.

We continue to work closely with the Wellington Shire Council on the redevelopment of the Port of Sale project, in regards to the cultural space and walkway at the Old Council offices

in Sale. This will be a new cultural hub featuring a community space, arts centre and library. The promotion of Gunaikurnai culture and stories will feature in the development of this

promenade.

13

.

14

Meet our two new receptionists – Bianca Baxter and Mingara Wandin

Hi my name is Bianca and I am one of the new receptionists at GLaWAC.

I was born in Bairnsdale but I have lived in most of the states within Australia. Apart from East Gippsland, my favourite place would be Darwin. I loved the hot weather and the people.

I have worked in a few different places, the last place was Crown Casino as a hospitality trainee. When I saw the receptionist job advertised I was excited to apply. I wanted to work here to learn more about my culture and to be part of the community from a cultural perspective.

Something that not many people know is I have an unusual pet, a centralion carpet python whose name is Kabooboo. His favourite food is rats and he enjoys laying in the sun on my verandah.

I barrack for St Kilda in the AFL and Lindenow South in the local competition.

I look forward to getting to know more community members. Bianca

Hi, I’m Mingara. I have just begun working at GLaWAC as a receptionist.

I was born in Bairnsdale and have lived in Lakes most of my life. I went to school in Bairnsdale and my favourite subject was maths.

I wanted to work at GLaWAC to give my daughter a better life. I feel good and happy after a day at work. I have learned how to operate a multi-line phone system, so when people phone in I can transfer them and take messages.

A couple of things about me, my favourite type of food is lollies and I barrack for Essendon. I used to play A grade netball for Paynesville, my position was wing attack. I hope to see you soon, Mingara.

Yarning with...Bianca and Mingara

15

Language Words – Gunaikurnai English Language Spoken Origin

Cloud nurt nurt Lake Tyers

Creek kaewat k-wat Brab

Cutting grass krowan crow-an

Dark bookang boo-g/kang Brab

Dew jindubargara jindoo-bagara Brat

Echidna kowern ko-ern Lake Tyers

Fish kine kin Lake Tyers

Leaf, Leaves jerrang jer-rang Brab

Wattle, silver goor-mat gore-mat

Wallaby, rock dhagwan doug-wan Lake Tyers

Wind krowera crow-era

Windy birn birn burn-burn

NAIDOC Week 2017The importance, resilience and richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages will be the focus of national celebrations marking NAIDOC Week 2017.

The 2017 theme - Our Languages Matter - aims to emphasise and celebrate the unique and essential role that Indigenous languages play in cultural identity, linking people to their land and water and in the transmission of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, spirituality and rites, through story and song.

We will be having an event during NAIDOC Week 2017 to celebrate.Please contact GLaWAC Reception for more

information on 5152 5100 or check out our website www.gunaikurnai.org

16

Partnership highlightsWest Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) – On Country trip

On 10 and 11 May, eight staff from WGCMA visited the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) to complete the third stage of their cultural heritage training. This training is designed for staff to learn about the work GLaWAC does, the history of the Gunaikurnai and gain an appreciation of cultural knowledge. All staff at WGCMA complete this training.

As part of the MoU with the WGCMA, two annual On Country trips are conducted each year. These trips allow the participants to understand the importance of connection to country for the Gunaikurnai people. It is about promoting the cultural values surrounding the jointly managed parks. The first day focussed on Lake Tyers State Park where the GK JM Rangers, Grattan Mullet Jnr and Dylan Hood, led a bush tucker talk at the Marsdenia Rainforest walk which was a hit with participants. The session was led by Grattan Mullet Snr and Traditional custodian Wayne Thorpe who told the story of Bung Yarnda, which has a real significance for CMA staff, who deal in the opening and closure of estuary mouths. Re: Wayne’s book, ‘A story of Bung Yarnda- aka Lake Tyers’. The second day was a visit through the Krowathunkooloong- Keeping Place in Bairnsdale. Then a site visit to the Mitchell River National Park to conclude the trip.

Feedback from the WGCMA staff was that they were grateful to spend time with the team from GLaWAC and see some of the significant sites on country. They also really valued and better understood the connection to country.

17

Partnership highlightsWhat’s up Downunder Network Ten ProductionWUDU Series 8 – Episode 07

The television travel show ‘What’s Up Downunder’, produced by Network Ten, was recently filming in Gunaikurnai country in the Buchan area.

The Buchan Caves Reserve is one of the 10 parks that GLaWAC jointly manages with Parks VIC. Grattan Mullett Snr, the Cultural Hub Manager for GLaWAC, gave a welcome to country and an overview of the landscape. Two of our JM Rangers, Dylan Davies-Hood and Kobi Cook, assisted with a tour through the Buchan Caves reserve, in partnership with Danny Mitton from Parks VIC.

The presenters were very impressed with the professional conduct of the GLaWAC staff and felt privileged to have an insight into the cultural history.

If you would like to view the episode, please follow this link.

http://whatsupdownunder.com.au/cpt_episodes/wudu-series-8-episode-07/

18

Partnership highlights EAST GIPPSLAND CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY

Staff from the East Gippsland Catchment Authority (the Authority) visited the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) new cultural hub at Forestec in Kalimna last week. The day was an opportunity for Authority staff to learn about the culture of the Gunaikurnai people.

The tour was led by GLaWAC Cultural Hub Manager Grattan Mullett Snr who spoke about the many functions and operations of the GLaWAC.

Of particular interest was the native title settlement agreement, establishing GLaWAC as joint manager of 10 national parks in eastern Victoria with Parks Victoria and DELWP. This arrangement is a Victorian first and recognises the Gunaikurnai’s strong connection and understanding of the land and waterways of the region gained over thousands of years.

The tour visited the Lake Tyers State Park; one of the joint managed parks with Gunaikurnai Cultural Ranger Grattan Mullet Jnr. Grattan highlighted the importance of connection to country including passing on local stories, knowledge of bush food and the historic patterns of the opening of Bung Yarnda, the Lake Tyers estuary.

Photo below top-Staff of the Authority were hosted by GLaWAC to share knowledge and gain insights into the Gunaikurnai connection to country.

Bottom-GLaWAC Cultural Ranger Grattan Mullett Jnr talked of the cultural significance of the Lake Tyers State Park with the staff of the Authority last week.

19

Partnership highlightsAboriginal Victoria (AV) has developed a training program in Aboriginal cultural heritage management for RAP organisations, other Aboriginal people working within the Aboriginal cultural heritage management industry and interested community members. This program consists of an introductory 3-day workshop entitled Past and Present followed by an accredited Certificate IV level training course.

For 2017, two 3-day workshops will be offered to introduce the larger Certificate IV course of training and build on existing cultural heritage skills and knowledge within the community. This will be followed by the 9 week Certificate IV course delivered by La Trobe University. To be eligible to take part in the Certificate IV program you must complete one of the 3-day workshops.

The dates and venues for the 2017 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Past and Present workshop are;

Ngootyoong Mara July 18th to 20th 2017 - www.dwech.com.au/dwechs-healing-centre Portland

La Trobe University August 22nd to 24th 2017 - www.latrobe.edu.au/melbourne Bundoora, Melbourne

The next Certificate IV program will commence in February 2018.

We are keen to involve as many community members as possible.

However, we are limited to 30 places for each workshop. APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN NOW!

You can download forms and read more about his exciting program on:

http://www.vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria/grants-funding-and-training/aboriginal-cultural-heritage-management-training-program.html

Governor of Victoria visit to East Gippsland ShireThe visit to East Gippsland Shire by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency The Honourable Linda Dessau AC and her husband Mr Anthony Howard QC was arranged by the East Gippsland Shire.

Throughout the 2-day visit our Gunaikurnai joint-management partnerships were strongly profiled, with Welcome to Country speeches at each event. The tour was arranged and hosted by the Shire, with a visit to Buchan Caves, a boat cruise on the Gippsland Lakes in magnificent weather, and a civic reception included among visits to local industry and community groups. Robbie Farnham and Dylan Davies-Hood represented GLaWAC.The Governor particularly enjoyed her visit to Buchan and tour of the Royal Cave guided by Ranger Danny Mitton.

Photo: L to R: Leanne Hodge Team Leader Buchan Caves, Will McCutcheon District Manager, Tanya Taylor Chief Ranger Commercial Operations, Gary Gaffney East Gippsland Shire Chief Executive Officer, Danny Mitton Ranger, The Governor, Jo Rettino East Gippsland Shire Mayor, Dylan Davies-Hood Gunaikurnai JM Ranger, Robbie Farnham Gunaikurnai Joint Management Team Leader, Tim Davidson Team Leader Buchan Caves.

20

Community Connections..

An exhibition to celebrate Reconciliation Week 2017 is being held at the East Gippsland Art Gallery. The exhibition features two distinctly different exhibitions. The ‘Elements’ exhibition features work from artists; Eileen Harrison, Alfie Hudson and Leslie Ritchie. The Kangaroo Tales exhibition is a collaborative sculpture installation featuring works from artists; Frances Harrison, Lennie Hayes, Catherine Larkins and Elaine Terrick. Venue: East Gippsland Art GalleryAddress: 2 Nicholson Street, Bairnsdale VIC 3875Tuesday- Friday 10am-4pm Saturday 10am-2pmFree EntryDates: 19 May 2017 - 17 June 2017

NAIDOC Week 2-9 July 2017

*A full calendar of events will be advertised in the local newspapers closer to the date.Two annual events not to be missed are;

The Bairnsdale Street March- Wednesday 5 July-Gathering at the Gippsland and East Gippsland Aboriginal Cooperative (GEGAC) at 10am for an 11am departure. Dalmahoy Street, Bairnsdale.

BBQ and entertainment at GEGAC after the march.

The Dhuna Wurk Wurk NAIDOC BallFriday 7 July

6:30pm- MidnightBairnsdale Sporting Convention CentreFor more information please contact

Rob Hudson- Manager of Krowathunkooloong- Keeping Place on 51500737

21

2017 Art Show Continuing the Cultural PartnershipThe Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) once again partnered with the Rotary Club of Lakes Entrance, as a major sponsor, to deliver a spectacular Gippsland Lakes Art on Show for 2017.

The annual Gippsland Lakes Art on Show showcased local Aboriginal culture in many mediums at the 2017 show. Attendees experienced a culturally diverse exhibition, including a display of local artefacts, locally made possum skin cloaks and contemporary artworks.

The category of ‘Art influenced by Aboriginal Culture’ was sponsored by GLaWAC.

We are hoping to encourage more entries into this category and will begin to seek expressions of interest at the end of the year so artists have more time to prepare. For more information please contact Grattan Mullett Snr at GLaWAC.

Photos: Top-R Frances Harrison’s possum skin cloak.Top L-R Hugh Pepper, Alice Pepper and Wayne Thorpe, Nicky Moffat and Frances Harrison, Middle L-R Tracy Moffat and Bianca Bassett, Bottom L-R Judy Baxter, Grattan Mullett Snr and Jade Kennedy

22

Handover of a healthy corporation An information meeting for all GLaWAC members and stakeholders was held on Wednesday, 3 May 2017 at Forestec to announce the end of the special administration and the return of the corporation to member control. Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) represents Traditional Owners from the Brataualung, Brayakaulung, Brabralung, Krauatungalung and Tatungalung family clans, who were recognised in the Native Title Consent Determination, made under the new Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, the first such agreement under that Act.

The Registrar of Indigenous Corporations, Mr Anthony Beven, praised everyone involved, “The staff, the members, the special administrator, Mr Peter McQuoid and the new directors. GLaWAC is a very different organisation to what it was six months ago. We have listened to community members and put in place strong processes, skilled staff and a skilled board.”

The role of special administration involved taking control of the assets and addressing some internal governance and financial management issues. Then restoring good operational order and returning control to the members.

The $500,000 deficit, before the special administration came in, has already been recouped thanks to the staff bringing in business and some cost cutting. GLaWAC is now operating in line with its budget, with costs matching income for at least the second half of this financial year. Changes to the rule book, which were discussed with members and the newly elected GLaWAC board, are now in place. The new member directors appointed at the end of the special administration have been appointed until at least the 2018 annual general meeting (AGM). Two non-member independent directors have also been appointed. The GLaWAC board consists of; Member directors-Troy McDonald, Russell Mullet, Doris Paton, Brian Stevens, Glenys Watts, Joanne Brunt, Independent directors-Graeme Dear and David Brennan.

Newly appointed CEO of GLaWAC, Roger Fenwick said “We will be hosting more cultural events and an information drive so that more people get acquainted with the corporation. I will be working hard with our board, Elders, staff and the community to build on our foundations and explore new opportunities, including increased efforts in the western region of Gunaikurnai country. I would also like to personally thank Jo Brunt for her hard work on behalf of all during the past six months. To all of our partners, we thank you for supporting and assisting us in achieving our goals.”

Photos below :Left -Charmaine Singleton-GLaWAC Member, Roger Fenwick- CEO of GLaWAC and Glenys Watts- GLaWAC Board Member. Right- Roger Fenwick- CEO of GLaWAC, Peter McQuoid- Special Administrator, Anthony Beven- Registrar of Indigenous Corporations

Official Handover meeting- End to special administration

23

Traditional Owner Land Management Board (TOLMB) Report

Grattan MullettChairpersonGKTOLM Board

Work to refine and improve the draft Joint Management Plan is progressing well. The Board has adopted a timetable that anticipates the draft Plan being released for public consultation during September and October this year. The Board has worked with its Joint Management partners, GLaWAC, Parks Victoria, and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning to fine tune vision statements for the overarching joint management plan, and for the 10 individual joint management parks and reserves.

One example of this working together was a particularly successful workshop in January attended by most of the GLaWAC On Country team members, including the JM Rangers, the NRM crew, and the RAP Site Monitors. This workshop enabled the On Country team members to identify the key opportunities and priorities for action they wanted to see in each of the 10 JM parks and reserves. The identified opportunities and priorities can generally be summarised as:

• Identifying and building cultural knowledge of the 10 parks and reserves,

• Sharing culture with park visitors (including cultural tourism opportunities),

• Having fit for purpose visitor facilities (including cultural interpretation),

• Protecting the environmental assets of the 10 parks.

These recommendations from GLaWAC staff are being fed into the development of the 10 plans for the individual JM parks and reserves that will form an important part of the overall joint management plan.

The Board has also commissioned experienced consultants to overhaul the strategic part of the initial draft joint management plan that was shared with the Gunaikurnai community late last year. The Board heard the feedback from the community that the draft was hard to read and didn’t present a clear picture of what joint management will mean, what difference it will make. So the Board has set about to have the draft plan totally revised so it will be clearer and more effective.

The Board looks forward to sharing the revised draft with the Gunaikurnai community in the near future.

Meanwhile, joint management in action is occurring on a daily basis. Some of the activities and projects being undertaken are described in the JM Rangers section of this edition. The Board is excited by the breadth and quality of the work being undertaken by the JM Rangers, and the partnerships that have developed between GLaWAC staff and staff from Parks Victoria and the Department.

24

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation

(GLaWAC) News contentDisclaimer

Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation. We do not guarantee the accuracy or accept any responsibility for the statements or comments made by the contributors in articles submitted. GLaWAC reserves the right to amend, alter or delete any items, statements or articles which it feels is not in the best interest of Gunaikurnai Land

and Waters Aboriginal Corporation or its members.

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation

Forestec, 27 Scriveners Road, Kalimna West, Victoria 3909Ph: 03 5152 5100 Fax: 03 51521666Email: reception@glawac.com.au

www.gunaikurnai.org

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation supports the preservation of land, water and environment.

This newsletter has been printed on recycled paper, using non toxic inks and solar power.