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Queensland South Native Title Services

Message TreeDecember 2014

A MESSAGE FROM THE CEOWhat a year! 2014 saw QSNTS double its total number of native title determinations from six to twelve in just one year – a remarkable effort for clients and QSNTS alike. Well done!

Congratulations to the Yulluna, Bularnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru (BWW), Kooma, Kullilli, Butchulla and Gunggari Peoples whose commitment, tenacity and perseverance over many years culminated in native title determinations. During 2014, the Federal Court of Australia convened on-country hearings to formally recognise those clients’ traditional rights and interests to their land and waters. Each determination was a cause for great celebration to finally reach an important milestone after an exhausting journey, a time for sad reflection upon those who fell in the struggle along the way, an occasion of immense pride to bear witness to an historic event and a time to ponder, with some trepidation, the complexities of life after a native title determination.

This year also saw the steely resolve of the Boonthamurra People and Budjiti People who successfully endured the test of Federal Court trials which will hopefully see their native title recognised in 2015. Acknowledgement also goes to the Darumbal People who were steadfastly prepared for a December 2014 trial that was vacated on its eve with a consent determination planned in 2015.

There were many other native title claimants who had a very hard but constructive year and due to delicately poised negotiations we cannot provide details at this time. QSNTS is confident that those claimants’ efforts will be converted into positive outcomes in 2015. The message to those clients is simple: stick together, stay focused and above all, never give up.

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As we all know, euphoric ‘highs’ can accompany despairing ‘lows’. Sadly, some claims had to be discontinued in 2014. I want to thank those claim groups for the dignified manner in which they conducted themselves in a process that has not always yielded good outcomes for Traditional Owners. QSNTS will continue to explore alternative settlement regimes for those clients whilst still advocating for legislative reform to ameliorate the onerous burden of proof placed on the shoulders of Traditional Owners.

Besides the above claim work, QSNTS continues to work on regional research projects that will form the evidential foundation for native title claims of the future. We urge people to engage in these research projects because this preliminary research will shape future claims; the more work conducted prior to the filing of a claim will strengthen the negotiation position and increase the resolution rate once a claim is eventually filed in the Federal Court.

Also in 2014, QSNTS established the Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) Support Unit to extend the range of services to clients after a determination has been made by the court. These services are request-driven and clients are urged to consider the suite of services offered by the PBC Support Unit. Good progress has been made in this new area of work and it was great to end the year with the PBC Nation Building Summit held in partnership with the Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation on beautiful Minjerribah (Stradbroke Island). The Nation Building Summit held in December 2014 provided invaluable insights into how our PBC work can be improved. As always, we welcome client and stakeholder input to tailor existing and new services to meet current and evolving needs of PBCs.

At a broader level, 2014 was a year that witnessed considerable change within the national Indigenous Affairs portfolio with the consolidation of 150 programmes into the five-pronged Indigenous Advancement Strategy (IAS). Please keep a watchful eye on how the IAS rolls out as there are multiple funding opportunities that might assist your communities. The PBC Support Unit can assist clients in the preparation of grant applications under the IAS. The Deloitte Access Economics` report on the Review into Native Title Organisations was released earlier this year which will undoubtedly shape policy decisions in the future. The Australian Law Reform Commission’s Discussion Paper on substantive and procedural native title matters and its subsequent recommendations will also play an important influencing role on the emerging operating environment.

Finally, a big thank you is extended to the Board and staff of QSNTS for their hard work in 2014! A truly exceptional effort! Next year is shaping up as another big year for our clients and our organisation. In the meantime, I wish you all the very best for the festive season and look forward to working together to increase positive outcomes for Traditional Owners in the region we serve.

Kevin Smith Chief Executive Officer Queensland South Native Title Services

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rights and interests; the presumption of continuity of traditional laws and customs; the legal processes for authorisation of an applicant to prosecute a native title claim; and the court procedures around becoming a party to a native title determination application.

Stakeholders then had the opportunity to express their views, 40 public submission were tendered and more than 100 consultations around Australia for the purpose of gathering information and views on the Native Title Act was conducted. The consultations and submissions were used to develop a discussion paper with final submissions against the discussion paper due in January 2015.

QSNTS made a submission advocating for a fairer and more equitable native title system resulting in better outcomes for Traditional Owners. The commission is expected to report back to stakeholders by March 2015.

Copies of our submissions are available on our website at www.qsnts.com.au

NATIONAL NATIVE TITLE COUNCILThe National Native Title Council (NNTC) is the peak body representing NTRBs and NTSPs throughout Australia. The NNTC is the coordinated national voice lobbying for the development of better solutions for resolving native title and securing adequate resources for NTRBs and NTSPs. QSNTS’s membership to the NNTC means there is a shared national approach to policy development. Kevin Smith is the Deputy Chairman and Colleen Wall (QSNTS Chairperson) is a Director of the NNTC.

NTRB/SPs across Australia wish to enter a process of serious engagement with the Federal Government in order to achieve system level change across the native title sector for the benefit of native title groups and their communities. The NNTC on behalf of the sector provided the Government a Native Title Work Plan, a program of reform to:

• Speed up the pace of claim resolution; and • Support native title holders to exercise their rights to effectively

manage land and drive social, cultural and economic development.

The purpose of the document is to guide the discussion towards an agreed program of work that will improve outcomes for native title groups from the native title system with actions in six key areas:

• Land tenure Reform; • Indigenous Communities Development Corporation; • Support for Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate; • Organisational priorities of Indigenous Business Australia, the

Indigenous Land Corporation and the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations;

• Native Title Act Amendments; and • Amendments to the Performance Funding Agreement.

A LOOK BACK ON 2014…

REFORMQSNTS made a number of submissions during 2014 in a bid to improve native title processes and outcomes. The details are as follows;

DELOITTE ACCESS ECONOMICS’ – REVIEW OF THE ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF NATIVE TITLE ORGANISATIONS (COMISSIONED BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT)The previous edition of Message Tree outlined that Deloitte Access Economics’ had been contracted to undertake this national review and that a reference group had been established to provide a strategic direction. The Terms of Reference were set by the former Minister for Families, Housing Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, since that time, a total of 44 public submissions were tendered by various organisations and individuals.

A diverse range of opinions were expressed by stakeholders and interest groups. There was however overwhelming consensus on the dire need to increase capacity and funding for post determination work. PBC groups while supportive of the Native Title Representative Bodies (NTRBs)/ Native Title Service Providers (NTSPs) system, expressed a preference for direct funding rather than through NTRBs/NTSPs system.

On 21 May 2014, the Australian Government released the review’s final report. Many of the recommendations made by QSNTS aligned with those made in the final report, including greater accountability and transparency for private agents and also availability of further funding for Prescribed Bodies Corporate to support their functions and obligations in managing native title. Unfortunately, to date, none of the recommendations made have been formally adopted or implemented but the report remains a good summary of the pressing issues confronting the native title sector.

AUSTRALIAN LAW REFORM COMMISSION – REVIEW INTO THE NATIVE TITLE ACTCurrently the law for determining native title is very complex. To assist with addressing these issues, on 3 August 2013, the former Australian Government announced an Inquiry into specific areas of native title law to be undertaken by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC).

This Inquiry into the Native Title Act focused on the legal requirement for recognising native title rights and interests and also considered what changes could be made to improve the operation of Commonwealth native title laws and legal frameworks.

Under the Terms of Reference the commission requested that the following specific areas of native title be considered: connection requirements relating to the recognition and scope of native title

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Gilliat Flinders - The research area covers an area bordered in the west by the Kalkadoon and Yulluna People’s determination areas, in the east by Alick Creek, Kynuna and the Diamantina River in the south and north to the Cloncurry and Saxby Rivers. The project area includes the towns of Cloncurry, Julia Creek and McKinlay.

Anthropologist, Ms Wendy Asche was engaged to prepare a report for the region, unfortunately, not all people who possibly hold native title in the area were willing to engage in the research process. As a result of this limited engagement, the research report has primarily informed by a review of the historical ethnographic material and other anthropological reports prepared over the region. Research into this area will continue in 2015.

South East Regional Research Project (SERRP) - This research area covers an area spanning from near Dayboro and Esk in the north, south to the New South Wales border, west to Stanthorpe, Texas and Inglewood, and incorporating places inland such as Clifton, Warwick, Boonah, Beaudesert and Ipswich. SERRP is an integral part of QSNTS’s strategy for achieving native title outcomes in South East Queensland.

During the reporting period, Dr Anthony Redmond has continued working on stage two of the anthropological report. A significant number of interviews have occurred on country with people who assert rights and interests throughout the region. This work will continue into 2015.

As a result of further family interview material being provided by QSNTS staff and also receiving new Community and Personal History Summaries, Dr Kevin Mayo has expanded on his initial Genealogical Report. This work will also continue into 2015.

St George Regional Research Project - The research area covers an area located between and around St George, Dirranbandi, Hebel and Thallon. During this financial year a number of research reports have been completed, including:

• A Historical Report prepared by Dr Fiona Skyring;• A Genealogical Report prepared by Ms Kate Waters; and• A Report on Aboriginal Groups in Pre-Colonial Occupation of the

St George Region prepared by Mr Ray Wood.

These reports are assisting QSNTS’s regional strategy to resolve native title interests in this region. Further and continued research will occur during 2015.

QUEENSLAND REPRESENTATIVE BODY ALLIANCE

Meeting on a tri-annual basis, the Queensland Representative Body Alliance was formed during 2013. It consists of various Queensland native title organisations who have come together to form a working group to exchange experiences and improve native title practise within Queensland as well as formulate common policy advocacy positions.

ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTSQSNTS research based projects have continued through 2014. We currently have five projects stretching from Longreach to St George, we would particularly like to thank all those people who provided genealogical, historical or general information about their relevant research areas. The success of these projects lies entirely with the cooperation of the people our teams liaise with, it is only with your support and involvement that these projects have the opportunity to succeed. The research projects currently underway are;

• Central West Research Project;• Darling Downs Research Project;• Gilliat Flinders Research Project;• St George Research Project; and• South East Regional Research Project.

Central West - This Research Project seeks to determine the native title interests and prospects in the area around Longreach, Barcaldine (covering desert uplands) Gidgee scrub, Mitchell Grass Downs and the Thompson, Barcoo and Alice Rivers. To date, a preliminary anthropological report has been completed by Dr Kevin Mayo.

Darling Downs - This region covers an area from Dulacca in the west to the Great Dividing Range in the east, and from Guluguba in the north, south to Toowoomba and Pittsworth and includes the towns of Oakey, Dalby, Chinchilla and Miles.

In April 2014 anthropologist, Dr Anna Kenny completed the second stage of research to establish ‘right people for right country’. The report, in conjunction with research completed in stage one, is currently being assessed with a view to continuing with stage three of research project in early 2015.

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NATIVE TITLE CONSENT DETERMINATIONSUnder the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) native title claimants can make an application to the Federal Court of Australia to have native title recognised over their traditional land and waters by Australian law.

For Traditional Owners the process of native title runs deeper than the complexity of law. The most recent native title consent determination was the Gunggari People’s. On the 5 December 2014, 146.4 km² of land and waters in central southern Queensland was recognised as Gunggari land and waters. A statement made by Marshall Foster (a Gunggari Applicant) shows the depth of emotion that a determination of native title brings, not only to the Gunggari People but to all Traditional Owners who travel the native title journey.

“The Maranoa River has been the lifeblood of the Gunggari People for millennia, it is a place of great spiritual, cultural, social and economic importance to us”.

QSNTS sincerely congratulates the following groups on achieving native title recognition. The Yulluna, Bularnu Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru, Kooma and Kullilli, Butchulla and Gunggari People were all recognised as native title holders during 2014. Their journeys are outlined below;

PEOPLE DATE OCCASION

Yulluna People 28 March, 2014Consent Determination

Bularnu Waluwarra & Wangkayujuru People

27 May, 2014Determination of native title

Kooma People 25 June, 2014Consent Determination

Kullilli People 2 July, 2014Consent Determination

Butchulla People 24 October, 2014Consent Determination

Gunggari People 5 December, 2014Consent Determination

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• On 25 June 2014 the Kooma People had their native title recognised by the Federal Court of Australia with the consent of all parties. The Kooma People were recognised as holding exclusive possession over areas of the Murra Murra and Bendee Downs Pastoral Stations. The claimed area spans about 2,950km² in the south-west region of Queensland. It includes the Bendee Downs and Murra Murra pastoral properties, and other areas around Bollon, bordering the town to of Wyandra at the north-west, stretching south to the Culgoa River, and east-west from Wideegoara Creek to Belingra.

Kullilli PeoPle

Native title Holders

• The Kullilli People’s claim area covers approximately 32,200km² of country in south-west Queensland around the town of Thargomindah. An on-country expedition in 2012 involving Kullilli Elders and representatives of the State of Queensland aided in securing the State’s acceptance of the Kulllilli People’s connection to the land. There were 30 respondent parties to the Kullilli People’s claim, all of whom consented to the Federal Court making orders recognising native title. Apart from the two local governments (Bulloo Regional Council and Quilpie Regional Council) and Ergon Energy all other respondents were pastoralists.

• Originally the Bularnu Waluwarra Wangkayujuru claim was set down for a consent determination hearing during 2011, however an indigenous respondent joined late in the proceedings and asserted different rights. After months of attempted resolution through mediation, the matter proceeded to trial. The trial was held over three weeks in Mount Isa and Brisbane and included an inspection of country. There were some further complications and various legal hearings occurred during the weeks following. The BWW Peoples determination of native title hearing was held at Moonah Creek Crossing on 27 May 2014. This hearing officially recognised 24 000 km² of country south-west of Mount Isa across to the Northern Territory border as BWW country.

• The Yulluna People were recognised as native title holders of 10,000 km² of pastoral leased land, reserves and unallocated state land on the 28 March 2014. A special hearing of the court was held at the Osborne Mine located 240 kilometres south-east of Mount Isa to officially recognise the Yulluna People as Traditional Owners. The claimed area is located in northwest Queensland, just south of Mount Isa and Cloncurry and to the west of Dajarra.

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• The Butchulla People were recognised by the Federal Court of Australia on 24 October 2014 as the Traditional Owners of K’Gari (Fraser Island). K’Gari is the world’s largest sand island which lies within the boundaries of the Fraser Coast region on the south-east coast of Queensland to the east is the great expanse of the Pacific Ocean, to the north is the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, and to the west is the Hervey Bay Marine Park and the Great Sandy Straits (Korrawinga). The determination area comprises about 1,640km² of sandy dunes, age-old sub-tropical rainforests, pristine lakes, perched creeks, sandblows and waterways. As part of the consent determination negotiations, the Butchulla People negotiated and authorised entry into an Indigenous Land Use Agreement (ILUA) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the State of Queensland.

Butchulla People Native Title Consent Determination

• On 5 December 2014, the Federal Court of Australia held a special hearing of the court at Amby, Queensland (65km west of Roma) marking the successful resolution of the Gunggari People’s claim for native title. It was the second native title win for the Gunggari People, following the consent determination made by Justice John Reeves at the nearby town of Mitchell in June 2012.

TRIALS The Boonthamurra People’s claim was filed 2 November 2006 and in 2011 was conditionally accepted by the State of Queensland (the State) for negotiation towards a consent determination.

A trial was held in January 2014 to determine the issue of Indigenous respondents which resulted in those respondents being removed from the proceeding.

It is anticipated that the Boonthamurra People will gain a native title consent determination during 2015.

The Darumbal People’s Native Title Determination Application (NTDA) was originally filed with the Federal Court on 27 June 1997. A subsequent claim (Darumbal People #2) was filed with the Court on 23 January 1999, and on 26 July 2012 the two claims were combined and are referred to as the Darumbal People.

On 12 July 2013, the Court made orders which required the claim be separated into Parts A and B, because the Barada Kabalbara Yetimarala (BKY) native title determination application was filed over a shared area (now known as Part B).

The trial of the connection issues which was set to commence on 1 December 2014 was vacated after the outstanding issues between the Commonwealth, the State of Queensland and the claim group were settled at mediation. The matter will likely see a consent determination during 2015.

The Budjiti People’s NTDA was lodged in the Federal Court on 20 February 2007, and was registered by the National Native Title Tribunal on 10 July 2007. The claim area is approximately 17,800km² and falls within the Bulloo and Paroo Shire Councils.

Since its registration, extensive anthropological work has been undertaken. The State has indicated that it does not require any further research from the expert anthropologists, however it asked to be provided with direct evidence from members of the Budjiti claim group.

Following the hearing of preservation evidence from members of the Budjiti claim group, the State accepted connection and the matter is listed for a consent determination in June 2015.

The QSNTS team and counsel travelled to Cunnamulla, Ennogonia, Caiwarro and Eulo to meet and prepare witness statements with the Traditional Owners at the end of June 2014.

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INDIGENOUS ADVANCEMENT STRATEGYTo achieve better results the Australian Government has been looking at ways to improve engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. To implement this the Government is transforming the way Indigenous programmes are delivered through a program titled the ‘Indigenous Advancement Strategy’.

Implemented on 1 July 2014, this new and flexible program replaced 150 individual programmes and activities into five overarching programmes with the purpose of improving the lives and wellbeing of Indigenous Australians, the programmes fall into the categories of;

• Jobs, Land and Economy • Children and Schooling• Safety and Wellbeing • Culture and Capability• Remote Australia Strategies

The Australian Government has structured a program that fosters a new and improved way of working with Indigenous People, communities, industries, business and service providers. It allows for development and implementation of local solutions to improve outcomes in the Government’s priority areas. It will allow the Australian Government to foster a new and improved engagement strategy with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People by making funding more flexible and strategically designed to meet individual community’s aspirations and priorities.

Native title is positioned under the Jobs, Land and Economy Programme. The Australian Government has designed this programme to assist Indigenous People by recognising native title rights, leveraging land to create economic and social benefits, effective agreement-making and building capacity of native title corporations to assist with management of native title rights and interests to promote a more sustainable future.

The initial closing date to submit an application for funding was November 2014, however this has been extended due to the large number of grant applications received by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The revised closing date is 16 March 2015.

More information can be found at:https://www.dpmc.gov.au/indigenous_affairs/ias/ http://www.indigenous.gov.au/indigenous-advancement-strategy

PRESCRIBED BODIES CORPORATEA major focus during 2014 (and the QSNTS 2013-2016 Strategic Plan) has been providing support to Registered Native Title Bodies Corporate (RNTBCs) or Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs). They are a vital component of the native title system enabling continued and autonomous management of land and waters in Australia. QSNTS initiated a PBC Support Program to help Traditional Owners with their individual corporations. A variety of services are offered including (not limited to) basic book-keeping and administration, assistance with compliance obligations (both statutory and the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations), grant applications, managing their finances, communications, meetings and logistics assistance.

To assist with capacity building of RNTBCs, QSNTS and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) co-convened an RNTBC Nation Building Summit on the 10 and 11 December on Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah). The purpose of the Summit was to invite representatives from RNTBCs in the QSNTS region to exchange information and experiences, identify opportunities, create partnerships and promote services and products with the view to strengthen their capacity as corporations. Industry experts were also invited to the Summit and provided valuable information from their areas of expertise.

Day one commenced with a traditional dance by the Yulu-Burri-Ba Dance Troupe and Welcome to Country. It was a full day designed to provide information about crucial areas of work for RNTBCs.

The day was separated in to four key themes; funding and partnership opportunities; compliance; embedding native title into all place-based decision-making; employment and training.

Day one concluded with a wonderful cultural tour of Minjerribah that provided a fine example of how native title can both protect and promote culture but also stimulate economic development opportunities. The Summit participants visited the award–winning Minjerribah Camping known as Straddie Camping, located at Amity Point. It is owned and operated by the Quandamooka People. Part of their vision is to help create a future where the Island’s spirit, cultural values and the beauty of its lands and waters are conserved and restored. The Traditional Owners also visited a sand mine located on the island.

Day two: was a very interactive day facilitated by Dr Mark McMillan, an Aboriginal academic and lawyer, who outlined international frameworks and assisted participants in the application of those tools to the work of their respective RNTBCs. This session was designed to discuss individual corporation’s experiences while also learning about decision-making tools and frameworks to maximise the corporation’s future success.

QSNTS will be working to provide groups with further information including papers, photos or presentations in the New Year, please visit our website www.qsnts.com.au to keep track.

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PBC Summit 2014

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ROCKHAMPTON AND MOUNT ISA OFFICESThe Rockhampton and Mount Isa offices are vital in ensuring that QSNTS continue to have a regional presence for our clients.

The Mount Isa office has been closed for a period of time, scheduled renovation work is progressing well, and we expect it to re-open in early 2015. We are also pleased to announce that QSNTS has engaged an experienced native title lawyer to be based in Mt Isa. With the majority of claims determined in the North West region, QSNTS is hopeful that the refreshed regional office will be a vibrant hub for local PBCs to undertake their work but also leverage the power of a regional network for individual and mutually beneficial outcomes.

The Rockhampton Office will be moving to a new location early in the new year allowing for a larger staff presence and onsite meeting rooms.

We are also pleased to report that in 2015 our communication system across our entire operating region will be greatly enhanced with videoconferencing facilities being installed in all QSNTS offices. This will expand the opportunities for greater participation by our clients in native title processes as well as increasing the efficiency and effectiveness in giving advice and receiving instructions.

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On the 24 October 2014, I attended the Butchulla Consent Determination. Being on spectacular K’Gari to witness the Federal Court recognise the Butchulla People’s rights and interests after such a long time was magnificent. It was a clear day and the water was amazing. Hearing the children playing in the surf, as Justice Collier delivered her final decision was an enchanting experience.

On 5 December the Gunggari People achieved their second native title consent determination on country at Amby. It was a pleasure to attend a celebration with long-term friends. I was not able to attend the first one and was honoured to be the guest of Aunty Irene and Aunty Ethel on this occasion.

As well as the native title claims process the Board has been involved in other meetings such as those with the National Native Title Council for advocacy for the national sector, the Chief Executive Officer and Chairs Forums and working with NTSCorp in northern New South Wales to negotiate a Memorandum of Understanding on cross border claims.

QSNTS has established a PBC Support Unit to develop capacity to assist with managing native title business independently and sustainably. These PBCs are vital to enabling ongoing management of determined land and waters. Having recently attended the RNTBC Nation Building Summit alongside some very experienced speakers and as guests of the Quandamooka People on Stradbroke Island, I have seen the unit in action and am very impressed with their enthusiasm to build the capacity of the region’s native title holders.

I commend the QSNTS executive and staff for all the extra work completed this year including; the follow up on the Deloitte Access Economics’ Review of the Roles and Functions of Native Title Organisations, a change in government processes, law reform, research projects and the new claims heading for determinations of native title.

Finally I would like to thank my fellow Board Members for their focused and rigorous work over the last year. We wish everyone a Seasons Greetings and a safe return to a new and very busy 2015.

Colleen Wall Chair Person Queensland South Native Title Services

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRPERSONFirstly, I am appreciative to be sitting in the QSNTS Chairperson’s seat for another term and to further our vision to drive the achievement of Indigenous self determination to redress the past, strengthen the present and empower the future. In saying that I must acknowledge the dedication to the consistent and efficient work of the QSNTS executive and staff. It is a constant challenge to realise our Traditional Owners’ aspirations and go some way to ‘secure, manage and maximise native title outcomes through the provision of quality professional services in a dynamic environment’ especially with the shifts in government policy and the intense law reform work that runs alongside our native title claim work.

I must reiterate that the Board takes our obligations to the native title sector very seriously. Working with the native title process is very important and attaining that recognition is satisfying and very nourishing for our spirits as well as the land - our respective country. It builds my respect for cultural resilience and perseverance in the community and gives me a precious insight in each nation’s determination to attain such a significant achievement for many years of persistent work. I applaud their resolve in reaching their goal.

Having the Federal Court recognise native title on country is very gratifying but also a very emotional and spiritually powerful time for Traditional Owners. It has been a privilege to attend various consent determinations across our region and celebrate with old friends.

Our first celebration was on 28 March 2014 in north-west Queensland where the Yulluna community gathered to celebrate their Native Title Consent Determination, at this time a large goanna emerged to give his approval.

Again, the north-west corner was the Bularnu, Waluwarra and Wangkayujuru claim which came to fruition on 27 May 2014. A very hot but satisfying day saw a large number of people return home. Thanks to staff for keeping the water supply flowing on such a hot day.

In the first week of June we took some time out to attend the National Native Title Conference at Coffs Harbour. The program was loaded with interesting and interactive workshops and time to meet old friends and make new ones.

The 25 June 2014 I attended the Kooma Consent Determination at Bollon. Starting with a very early and cold morning, it warmed up to finish in a celebration seeing over 50 young people dancing on country. What a sight! I was proud to be a part of this celebration.

The following week on 2 July 2014, we travelled to Thargomindah where the Federal Court formally recognised the Kullilli People as the Traditional Owners of 32,000 square kilometres of land in south west Queensland. Again, it was incredible to see so many people return to country for the celebrations.

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FINAL MESSAGEQSNTS thanks you for your ongoing commitment and support during 2014. We wish you a happy and safe holiday season and look forward to working with you in the New Year.

Warning: This publication may contain the names and images of deceased people. Approval has been granted for the inclusion of this sensitive material.

Photography: Photography and artwork has been generously submitted by QSNTS stakeholders and staff.

Newsletter Contact and Feedback: Please contact Sheridan Ward, Media and Communications Coordinator; email: sheridan.ward@qsnts.com.au