GLaWAC News - Gunai...Aunty Fay Voss Aunty Gwen McGregor Aunty Julie Mongta Aunty Margaret Donnelly...

ISSUE 30 BERNAK (SPRING) EDITION 2019

GLaWAC NewsHIGHLIGHTS OF ISSUE 30:• Get involved and help determine our future• Native Title update• Treaty update• Call out to Cultural Educators• Let’s talk about trees• Art Gallery and Bush Cafe set to open• Introducing new staff

Lloyd Hood, Water Crew Team Leader on Country with community members. Image Credit: Tim Paton

ELDERS’ COUNCILThe Elders’ Council comprises Elders who are members of GLaWAC and appointed by the descendants of each identified Apical Ancestor . The Elders’ Council come together twice a year and provide critical cultural leadership to the organisation. GLaWAC acknowledges the contribution of the current and our past Elders’ Council.

The current Elders’ Council members are:Aunty Gwen Atkinson, Aunty Beryl Booth, Deanna Campbell, Aunty Margaret Donnelly, Aunty Shirley Foster, Aunty Maria Harrison, Aunty Gwen McGregor, Aunty Julie Mongta, Aunty Lena Morris, Aunty Rachel Mullett, Aunty Madge Siely, Charmaine Singleton, Aunty Glenis Solomon, Aunty Olive Stevens, Aunty Glenys Watts and Aunty Fay Voss.

GLAWAC BOARD OF DIRECTORSThe Board is responsible for overseeing the running of GLaWAC on behalf of all members and make decisions about the direction of the corporation. There is a minimum of six and maximum of ten Directors on the Board at any given time, with up to two independent or specialist non-member Directors appointed alongside Directors who are members of the corporation.

The current GLaWAC Board of Directors are:Brian Stevens (Chair), Dr Doris Paton (Vice-Chair), Glenys Watts, Troy McDonald, Paula Morgan, Libby Dummett and Ewan Waller (Independent Directors).

Who’s who at GLaWAC?

Aunty Fay Voss Aunty Gwen McGregor Aunty Julie Mongta

Aunty Margaret Donnelly Aunty Lena Morris Aunty Maria Harrison Aunty Glenys Watts

Aunty Olive Stevens Charmaine Singleton Deanna Campbell Aunty Beryl Booth

There are 25 Gunaikurnai Apical Ancestors registered in the Native Title Consent Determination.

2 GLaWAC News, Issue 30 Bernak (Spring) 2019

This IssueWHO’S WHO AT GLAWAC?

Elders’ Council . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

GLaWAC Board of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

JOINT UPDATE FROM THE GLAWAC BOARD CHAIR AND CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

BOARD SUBCOMMITTEES – HELP DETERMINE OUR FUTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

WHAT WORK ARE WE FOCUSING ON? . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

CALENDAR OF EVENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

GLaWAC gets social . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Call out to budding photographers . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

What part of Country is this? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

GKTOLMB UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

OUR COMMUNITY

Shooting hoops in the USA – Angus Buckley-Green . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

NATIVE TITLE UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

TREATY UPDATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

OUR CULTURE

Cultural Education for school groups . . . . . . 12

Invitation to be a part of GLaWAC’s Cultural Hub Team . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

RAP Program update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Cultural Heritage Management Plan assessments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Ramahyuck Aboriginal Mission Station Cemetery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Canoe Tree Conservation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Cloggs Cave, Buchan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

NAIDOC Week Celebrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Celebrating our Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

OUR COUNTRY

Ninde Yan Yarning (Our Water Talking) update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Let’s talk about trees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Working in the field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

OUR ORGANISATION

GLaWAC membership snapshot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Introducing our new staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Glenda Thorpe, Women’s Cultural Education Engagement Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Kate Leatham, Reception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Wayne Thorpe, Men’s Cultural Education Engagement Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19Lisa Hocking, Policy and Program Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Karen Raabe, Strategic Communications Manager . . . . . . . . 20

Five-year work anniversary for Corey . . . . 20

Deadly Health Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

OUR ECONOMY

80,000 native trees and shrubs planted in three months . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

GLaWAC Art Gallery and Bush Café set to open next month . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

GLaWAC News, Issue 30 Bernak (Spring) 2019 3

Joint update from the GLaWAC Board Chair and CEOThe overriding theme of the Bernak (Spring) issue of GLaWAC News is partnerships. We continue to strengthen our partnerships with community through the Gippsland Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), with government and other bodies through the Gippsland Environmental Agencies (GEA), and with the business community through our upcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kinaway Chamber of Commerce.

GLaWAC plays a lead role in driving employment and economic outcomes for the Gunaikurnai and now with a workforce over 50 people, it is important that we continue to work collaboratively with our Aboriginal partners and other organisations on events such as the recent Deadly Health Day to raise awareness of Aboriginal specific services and to complete annual staff health checks.

Paula Morgan, Board member and CEO of the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA), was one of four speakers who spoke about the importance of health and wellbeing, eating well and looking after yourself so you can look after your family. The event was supported by GEGAC and staff from its medical and dental teams and Tanderra Alcohol and Drug Service, as well as staff from LEAHA and Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service. Other regional and statewide health organisations and the local Lakes Entrance Aquadome also attended. Chefs from the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service cooked up a healthy breakfast and lunch in our Bush Café served by our hospitality staff. Our thanks to everyone who participated and made the day a great success. There are further details and pictures of the event in this issue.

There are several exciting opportunities for community to get involved in GLaWAC that are highlighted in this issue. We are calling for Expressions of Interest from community to tell us what they think about how forests should be managed across

Gunaikurnai country as well as cultural educators to help our new Cultural Education Engagement officers deliver Cultural Awareness to schools, organisations and other groups. We’re also calling out for budding photographers to help us build up a photo library of images of our community, our Country and our cultural events and activities. All these opportunities will be financially supported and details for how you can get involved are included in this issue of GLaWAC News.

In the next month or so GLaWAC will be introducing Facebook and Instagram to its communications toolkit and invite everyone to be join up and be part of the yarns. We will continue to produce this quarterly newsletter and use Facebook as a way of quickly communicating with our members, stakeholders and the wider community about upcoming events and activities and the share good news about our work and community. Our website will be next on the list for a revamp – more about this work in the next issue of GLaWAC News.

Important work is ongoing with the Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA) Review, Native Title and Treaty. This issue includes updates on Native Title and Treaty and the next issue will include an update on the RSA Review.

We have several community events planned for October and November including Elder’s Gatherings, the one-year anniversary of the Joint Management Plan and our Annual General Meeting. A permanent Art Gallery showcasing the work of Gunaikurnai and indigenous artists and our Bush Café are on track to open mid-October, and GLaWAC will be hosting a National Indigenous Arts and Cultural Authority (NICA) Regional Summit on 11 October. Our Water Team is also planning a fishing competition at Port Welshpool on 12 October. So, pull out your fishing rods, practice casting the line and join in the fun!

BRIAN STEVENS, Chair Board of Directors and ROGER FENWICK, CEO

THE Board subcommittees would benefit greatly from having community as members.

Subcommittees operate as advisory bodies only; providing advice, recommendations and assistance to the Board and only making decisions on behalf of the Board if expressly delegated and directed by the Board to do so in relation to specified matters.

Subcommittee membership may include a Board Director, GLaWAC business representative, business experts, Community member/s and administrative support. The subcommittees meet up to five times each year. A meeting generally goes for 2 hours and is a collaborative discussion taking on directives from the Board and providing recommendations to the Board.

GLaWAC currently has four active subcommittees in place:

NATIVE TITLE CULTURAL HERITAGESupport the Board in a timely manner with recommendations and/or resolutions for Native Title and Cultural Heritage matters.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTAdvise the board on policy and procedures of economic developments.

AUDIT RISK & FINANCESupport the Board and management in the development, planning and implementation of financial and risk audits, policies and procedures.

OUR COUNTRYAdvise the board for on Country/environmental policy development. (Note the GKTOLMB deals with Joint Management matters.)

If you would like to be a member of one of GLaWAC’s subcommittees, please contact Kyla Di Fiore by emailing [email protected] or phoning (03) 5152 5100.

Board subcommittees – help determine our future


What work are we focusing on?

Whole of Country Plan

GLaWAC Corporate Plan

Rights

OUR COMMUNITYConnect the community to GLaWAC, Country and each other.

OUR COUNTRYManage country through continual learning and strong cultural leadership.

OUR CULTUREProtect ,Learn, Teach, Share and practice Gunaikurnai culture.

OUR ORGANISATIONWork in Partnerships

Enable and support a Safe workplace with resources to do our jobs and teams willing to contribute.

Recognition and Settlement Review

Treaty

OUR ECONOMYSupport and enable sustainable Business development and community participation.

The Board has recently completed an annual review of how we are tracking and congratulated the management and staff on the great work underway to drive GLaWAC forward.

The below diagram shows the areas that the Board has directed GLaWAC to focus on over this financial year.


EVENT LOCATION - FURTHER INFORMATION DATE

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria elections – voting period

Enrolment to vote and candidate nominations are currently open.

People can enrol via post, in person, or online via www.firstpeoplesvic.org/enrol/

A candidate nomination form, and information, is available via www.firstpeoplesvic.org/candidate-nominations/

For further information visit www.firstpeoplesvic.org

September 16 to 20 October

Elders’ Council Meeting Forestec September late - TBC

GKTOLMB Board Meeting Bairnsdale October 3

Regional Summit, National Indigenous Arts Cultural Authority (NIACA)

Forestec

For further information visit www.niaca.com.au/

October 11

Gunaikurnai Fishing Competition Port Welshpool

Details are to be finalised but if you’re interested in participating, contact GLaWAC Reception on 03 5152 5100 and we’ll pass your details onto the Water Crew.

October 12

GLaWAC Bush Café opens for business Forestec

Recruitment is well underway for a Head Chef, kitchen and wait staff and we look forward to seeing you over a coffee or lunch.

October mid

GLaWAC Board Meeting Forestec October 15

Elders’ Council Meeting Sale and Knob Reserve

Family Groups to determine Elders’ Council nominees.

November 27 - 28

GLaWAC Annual General Meeting Sale area – venue TBC November 29

Gunaikurnai Cultural Festival Knob Reserve

Gather your family and friends and join us for a weekend of dance, music and other cultural activities.

November 30 - December 1

Calendar of EventsGLaWAC is organising and/or supporting events during the year. Note these dates in your diary and keep checking out the website – www.gunaikurnai.org – and join our new Facebook page for all the latest details.


The answer will be in the next issue of GLaWAC News.

The track shown in Issue 29 was of a Wallaby (right).

The Water Crew have been taking community out on Country over recent months. The photo on the left shows the waterway at 6% capacity and the photo on the right shows it as 52% capacity. Do you know where it is?

The waterway is also home to a pair of White-Bellied Sea-Eagles. Despite its name, the sea-eagle is not confined to coastal areas, and the species is regularly recorded at terrestrial wetlands far from the sea, especially along larger inland rivers and at freshwater swamps and lakes.Image credit: Tim Paton

What part of Country is this?

Call out to budding photographersGLaWAC invites you to send in your photos of Country, community and cultural activities and events to help us expand our corporate photo library.

GLaWAC often contracts a professional photographer to cover our events and cultural celebrations. While there are many great photographers in the region, we are keen to create opportunities for budding Gunaikurnai photographers to hone their skills and be paid for their work.

Any photos commissioned by GLaWAC will need to meet set guidelines in terms of image resolution, subject matter and file type. We are also offering the opportunity to work alongside a professional photographer at one of our community events to get some one-on-one mentoring.

So if you’re interested in seeing your pictures used in GLaWAC’s newsletter, Annual Report, Facebook page, website or advertising with our Joint Management partners, send an email to [email protected] or ring Reception on 03 5152 5100 to get further information on what’s involved.

GLaWAC is moving with the times and will be shortly launching a Facebook and Instagram page. We will also be revamping the website to be more user-friendly and contain more corporate information as we continue to grow and prosper. The revamped website will be a one-stop shop for information on both GLaWAC and the GKTOLMB and integrate our new Facebook and Instagram pages and the existing YouTube channel.

Our new Strategic Communications Manager, Karen Raabe is keen to have community get involved, post your pictures, share items of interest and tell some yarns. GLaWAC will moderate the Facebook page following the usual social media guidelines of what is acceptable and what isn’t.

We’ll still be producing four issues of GLaWAC News, but our social media channels will make it easier and quicker for us to keep you up-to-date with what’s happening as well as celebrating our work achievements and community success stories.

GLaWAC gets social


GKTOLMB update How time flies … It will be one year from the 1st of September that the Gunaikurnai and Victorian Government Joint Management Plan (JM Plan) was launched at the Knob Reserve. Over the past year we have made some great progress as we maintain our focus on supporting the implementation of the many strategies and actions contained within the JM Plan. We are planning a celebration to mark the one year anniversary and hope many of you join us.

SOME KEY ACTIVITIES OF THE GKTOLMB INCLUDE:The development of a Joint Management Implementation Plan. This piece of work identifies and prioritises the actions and activities in the plan as well as identifying which JM partner will have the lead role for its implementation. The aim of the JM Plan is to reach an agreed position between the joint management partners on the priority implementation initiatives that need to be continued, commenced and/or completed during the first five years, the ideal scheduling of these activities and actions over the period and which joint management partner will lead and which partners will collaborate in their implementation. It also identifies annual budget estimates to work out what can be delivered within existing work program budgets, and what actions will require additional funding.

To assist in the overall governance of joint management implementation, the Board has played a key role in the development of a governance and decision-making model. This model has two key elements for representation of the JM partners.

One is a senior strategic group: this forum of senior partner representatives provides high level partner coordination for implementation of the JM Plan. It provides meaningful opportunity for GLaWAC representatives to engage directly with senior executives of its partner agencies on matters relating to the management of the parks and reserves for which it holds Aboriginal Title.

The other is an operational oversight group whose purpose is to enable the JM partners to work together to develop a yearly joint management works program. This oversees the sharing of knowledge, decision making, resource coordination and skill development in the management of the joint managed parks.

The Operational Group enables the JMP partner groups to work together to coordinate monitoring and reporting against activities and collect evidence of outcomes achieved. It ensures tracking of implementation activities is clearly understood and is factored into respective organisations

planning and management directions. It also leads resource requests for the implementation of the JMP based on agreed priorities and needs.

The GKTOLMB is also near to completing evaluation indicators in order to progressively monitor and track the achievement of the JM Plan’s goals and outcomes. We are developing an outcomes indicator data collection plan that will show who is responsible for collecting data, frequency of data collection and how data will be collated, analysed and reported. This is an important piece of work to make sure that the plan is achieving what we want from it and we are able to share this with others.

We continue to work closely with GLaWAC and Parks Victoria to implement the key priority projects. These projects are important as they reflect the shared goals of joint management and support the joint management implementation partnership. These key projects are now being delivered by Parks Victoria and/or GLaWAC.

It is important that we continue to focus on maintaining and increasing the momentum we have made to date and continue to explore and promote the opportunities for Gunaikurnai people to be involved in cultural mapping, land management and the potential to build opportunities in business, including the exciting potential for establishing cultural tourism.

I would like to acknowledge the importance of our JM Rangers and partner agencies who continue to embrace the opportunity to work collaboratively with the Board and as always I look forward to further supporting these important partnerships as we move ahead with implementation actions for the ongoing benefit of all Gunaikurnai people and all Victorians now and into the future.

Grattan Mullett Snr, Chair GKTOLMB

JM Rangers working at Corringle Foreshore Reserve


Our CommunityCommunity Success StoriesShooting hoops in the USA – Angus Buckley-GreenReading the past two issues of GLaWAC News you may think that there are some incredibly talented young basketballers in the community … well, you’re right! Angus Buckley-Green recently returned from his second stint in the USA to play basketball as part of the Australian Basketball Development (AUBD) Squad. Angus, like Tanarly Hood who was profiled in the last issue, is one of the many Gunaikurnai people who have received a sponsorship from GLaWAC. See the break-out box for details about the Community Support Fund.

A big thanks to Angus for sharing his experience with us!

I am writing this letter to thank you for your sponsorship that allowed me to travel to the USA to play basketball in US High School Championships. I went there with a group that I have been training with for a couple of years, called Australian Basketball Development (AUBD). The trainers are Sedale Threatt and Sedale Threatt Junior.

This was my second time going to the USA with AUBD. The first time I went was two years ago. This year I was older and more ready for the experience. There were four teams U11s, U12s, U15s and Junior Varsity which I played in. There were probably 40 players and lots of parents for the younger kids. They helped drive us around and take us places.

We went to the west coast of USA and stayed for three weeks. We played in three different tournaments, Summer Blast Tournament in Scottdale Arizona and West Coast Grad Based Championships and West Coast National Championships, both in Las Vegas. We probably played around 19 games. It was exhausting but fun. Lots of kids got injured but not me. We won some games and lost some, and some of those we should have won. The game is played differently in the US. It is faster and they shoot more and are more aggressive in offence. The most impressive part was playing in stadiums that had over 30 courts and hundreds of teams - the atmosphere was fantastic, energetic and fun. It helped me understand how I need to change my game if I really want to play in the States in the future. I would like to play overseas but I’m not sure if that can and will happen.

We watched a couple of baseball games, saw some NBA Summer League games, went to a couple of Universities and did lots of shopping at factory outlets. We saw the 4 July fireworks for American Independence Day. The weather was really hot and you

couldn’t go outside a lot. Lucky the stadiums and the hotels were airconditioned. The food was different. Really large servings but nice, similar and different to food in Australia.

One of the best things about going to the states was that I had to be more independent and look after myself, my health, diet and balance having fun, playing basketball and rest. Being with so many different people meant that I had to be more responsible for myself and I had to be more social.

Since I have been back, I’ve had to catch up with studies and that has taken a lot of my time. But I think it was definitely worth it. I’ve got some decisions to make next year and how to balance studies in Year 12 VCE and play basketball.

I would encourage anyone who wants to play basketball to travel and play in the US if they get the chance. It is a great experience and one that I will always remember.

Angus Buckley-Green

GLaWAC manages a COMMUNITY BENEFIT FUND that provides financial support to a wide range of organisations, members and individuals in the form of sponsorship, donations and one-off payments. There are strict assessment criteria for requests and depending on the amount sought, require approval of the CEO or Board. All requests must be made in writing by completing a Community Benefit Fund Request Form that can be obtained by contacting Kyla Di Fiore by emailing [email protected] or phoning (03) 5152 5100.

Above: Angus shooting hoops.

Below: Angus with his AUBD team members – Angus is third from the right.


Native Title Update

EL 5042 AND EL 6069 EL 5042 and EL 6069 cover adjacent areas to the west of Erica and north of Morwell within the Baw Baw and Wellington Shires. The explorer, Orion Gold NL, is looking for gold, platinum and silver. Agreement has recently been reached on GLaWAC’s standard terms and conditions for exploration, under which Orion Gold NL is required to pay annual access fees and drilling fees for any exploration activity undertaken.

PL 6400 PL 6400 covers 4.2 hectares in the Parish of Tambo in East Gippsland. The applicant, Mr Ken Gillin, is looking for gold. Agreement was reached in 2019 on GLaWAC’s standard terms and conditions, under which Mr Gillin is required to pay a one-off fee upon the grant of the licence, and to notify GLaWAC of the commencement of any exploration activity.

EL 6816GLaWAC has also been notified of exploration application EL 6816 by Jacquian Pty Ltd, located near Stirling and Tambo Crossing. The

explorer, Jacquian Pty Ltd, is looking for gold. Further information about this application will be provided to native title holders as part of GLaWAC’s consultation and consent process.

CROWN LAND SALESAs previously communicated to GLaWAC members, the State is seeking to sell eight Crown land parcels on Gunaikurnai country. The sale of Crown land extinguishes native title. GLaWAC’s negotiations with the State had stalled as the State was awaiting the High Court’s decision in Timber Creek. Whilst this decision was handed down on 13 March 2019, the State is still considering the implications of the Timber Creek decision in Victoria.

WHAT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIVE TITLE?For more information about GLaWAC’s role and responsibilities in making native title decisions, please visit GLaWAC’s website at www.gunaikurnai.org/gunaikurnai-native-title-agreement.

This year GLaWAC has entered into several agreements under the Native Title Act 1993 for the grant of exploration and prospecting licences on Gunaikurnai country. The grant of these licences does not extinguish native title. An exploration licence allows a company to look for mineral resources within the licence area. It permits some ground disturbance such as drilling but does not allow any mining for commercial purposes. A prospecting licence is similar but for small-scale explorers.

NAIDOC Week Celebrations, more on page 14.


Treaty updateGLaWAC has held four Treaty events over the year to give community the opportunity to find out more and get involved in the Treaty negotiations with the government. The first event was a Treaty Workshop in Melbourne earlier this year with Karen Diver, former adviser on Native American Affairs to the Obama Administration. The second was the Elders’ Gathering at Wattle Point in June, and last month we had great community participating at the two Treaty events in Morwell and at Forestec with the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher AO presenting.

The key messages that came out of these four gatherings was that community are testing what Treaty means to them, there is consensus that the community needs to move forward and that we have achieved lots of self-determining successes over past years such as our Native Title rights and that we are not starting from scratch.

As a formally recognized Traditional Owner group, GLaWAC has one reserved seat for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria that will be set up by the end of this year. The Board will follow the democratic process as set by the Treaty Commissioner to approve its member on the assembly.

The Assembly will have 33 seats and will be made up of Victorian Traditional Owners, of which the Gippsland region will hold four. The Assembly members will work with Traditional Owners to establish the Treaty Negotiation Framework, an Independent Umpire for Treaty negotiations and the Self-determination Fund, which will support our mobs in working towards Treaty.

The voting period for general seats on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria opens on Monday 16 September until Sunday 20 October 2019. For more information on how to enroll to vote visit the First Peoples’ Victoria site at www.firstpeoplesvic.org

This is what Casey Ritchie, a proud Gunaikurnai young man and the Gippsland Assembly Election Officer, had to say about the importance of getting involved in the voting process at this year’s NAIDOC March celebrations.

“The most important thing for our Aboriginal community is to enrol to vote or run as a candidate on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. Once elected the Assembly will work to create the framework for treaty negotiations. These are the ground rules to say who can negotiate, and what is on the table.

The Assembly will also help set up the treaty authority. An independent umpire for treaty negotiations. And a self-determination fund to help support communities to be on a more equal footing with government during this process.

The Assembly will have a huge job. The best way to have your say is to vote. Enrolments are now open. With voting in September. This will be our voice and every vote makes us stronger. And together we can make treaty a reality.

Our kids are our future. We know this. But it is the work that we do now that determines what that future looks like.”

Treaty Yarn at Morwell. Jill Gallagher AO, Uncle Lloyd Hood, Pietta Trewin and Roger Fenwick.


Our CultureCultural Education for school groupsIn a very exciting step forward for GLaWAC’s Cultural Hub, GLaWAC now has a team of four Cultural Education Engagement Officers: Glenda Thorpe, Cathy Thomas, Wayne Thorpe and Lloyd Hood. They each bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the roles and are currently working on developing a cultural education strategy for GLaWAC to promote across Gippsland’s education sector. Check out Glenda’s and Wayne’s profiles in this issue under the Our Organisation section.

Cathy will continue to help in the RAP Team as needed as well as work with Glenda. Uncle Lloyd will also remain in his current role as Water Crew Leader and occasionally assist in the Cultural department alongside Wayne and the other two staff. Welcome to Glenda and Wayne!

Invitation to be a part of GLaWAC’s Cultural Hub TeamA call out to Community Cultural Educators …

GLaWAC invites Gunaikurnai community members to help deliver Cultural Awareness to schools, organisations and other groups across Country.

GLaWAC will support, prepare and resource candidates. Some of the focus areas include:

• Dance• Cultural Presentations• Crafts and Arts• Storytelling• Tour Guiding.Candidates will be paid per session. The first preparation workshop has been set for mid-October 2019 at GLaWAC’s Forestec Headquarters.

To submit your Expression of Interest please contact GLaWAC Reception on (03) 5152 5100 or [email protected]


RAMAHYUCK ABORIGINAL MISSION STATION CEMETERYCattle have been grazing on the graves in the cemetery. The RAP crew with guidance from JM Crew Leader Brad Hood have constructed a fence with gates to stop cattle accessing the site.Other improvements for the site include constructing a raised boardwalk for all weather access.

CULTURAL HERITAGE MANAGEMENT PLAN ASSESSMENTSOver recent months the RAP Team have been busy with Cultural Heritage Management Plan assessments and have issued Cultural Heritage Permits to manage our heritage in State Forests. Two Archaeological Surveys have also been undertaken. One survey was for Blores Hill Mountain Bike Park in Central Gippsland between Maffra and Heyfield that runs through the forest and is managed by Parks Victoria. The second survey is underway for the Rosedale Bushfire and the Nunnett/Timbarra Bushfire. The work is a collaboration with RAP Teams and Monash University Archaeologists. This work has been funded by the Department of Environment, Lands, Water and Planning (DELWP) recovery program. A report of the findings will be produced for GKLAWAC and DELWP and will include recommendations for the management of Gunaikurnai cultural values during bushfire and recommendations for best practice use of bushfire suppression activities.

CANOE TREE CONSERVATIONThe decking of the canoe tree in the park next to the Lucknow Primary School has been painted to assist in reducing moisture and rot. A cover will be placed over the canoe tree to also assist in conserving its integrity.

RAP Program update

CLOGGS CAVE, BUCHANThis site was excavated in 1973 and over time the excavated walls have been slumping. RAP crews with assistance from JM Crew Leader Brad Hood, have stabilised the walls using rocks that came from the excavation pit.

GLaWAC staff working alongside Parks Victoria and DELWP staff and Gippsland Mountain Bike Club members.

Our Culture


Our CultureNAIDOC Week Celebrations

VOICE • Traditional Owners’ voices are

heard on issues that matter to them.

Treaty • Aboriginal people in Victoria

have never ceded sovereignty, and have long called for treaty with government.

• Treaties are necessary to recognise historic wrongs. It is not about blame, but about stating the facts, and attempting to right the wrongs.

• Treaties are also necessary to promote fundamental human rights.

• What is in a treaty is up to community.

• GLaWAC is already self-determining, let’s build on our momentum.

Truth• Telling it as it is, not shying

away from Aboriginal history.

• Supporting open communication, healing, learning and Cultural practice.

• Support culturally-safe yarning and gatherings.

• External people encouraged to listen and follow GLaWAC advice regarding how to do this.

Excerpt from GLaWAC CEO’s presentation for NAIDOC Week 2019

“This theme acknowledges that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have always wanted an enhanced role in decision-making in Australia’s democracy.”

Images credit: Laura Ferguson, Byline Photography


Our CultureNAIDOC Week Celebrations

Celebrating our Culture

First peoples signage at Welshpool Jetty rebuild site.

Left: No Fixed Address performed at the recent Treaty Yarns.

Below left: Uncle Wayne Thorpe and Uncle Lloyd Hood doing welcome.

Below: Kevin Kropinyeri and Nicky Mullett


Our Country

The Gunaikurnai Aboriginal Water project is underway focusing on rivers in Central Gippsland, West Gippsland and South Gippsland. The project aims to talk about the history and the past and how our ancestors used the waterways and find out community member’s connection to water now.

GLaWAC’s Water Crew, Lloyd Hood and Tim Paton (pictured left), have been busy taking community on Country to look at water health and visit cultural sites around the waterways. They have been asking community members to visit rivers and cultural sites and fill out forms that assess their personal cultural association with water and what they think about the wellbeing of the natural environment.

The Water Crew are also assessing the riparian habitats for cultural species of wildlife and aquatic animals. A major focus for the water project is recording how the waterways look now and what factors affect the cultural health of Gunaikurnai rivers, our lakes and coastline.

Ninde Yan Yarning (Our Water Talking) update

Montana McStay was commissioned by the Water Crew to produce this artwork for the Gunaikurnai Aboriginal Water project.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT - MONTANA MCSTAY“I wanted to create a painting that draws your eyes to a focal point encouraging you to look more in depth at the detail and it’s easier to see at a distance. This point being the hand in front of the sun at the centre of the painting, remembering the past harms that I’ve observed, Aboriginal ceremonies and dances here at home on Gunaikurnai land as well as my Great Grandmother’s people on Pitjantjara land.

To me this is a time of instruction passing down skills, behaviour and beliefs.

The brown colouring being the soil we stand on and the blue representing a waterway passing through. I wanted to include traditional Gunaikurnai symbolism using only lines in the water to tie the painting together.”


If you’re interested in the Bush - its stories, how to look after it, spending time in it - and you have a little bit of time to spare, GLaWAC is looking for your help.

GLaWAC is thinking about how forests should be managed across Gunaikurnai Country.

We’re keen to get a group of Gunaikurnai people together to go out on Country, talking about what’s wrong (and what might be right) with how government is treating Bush Country, starting to talk about what you would like to see done differently by Government and Bush users, and how using knowledge from Traditional Custodians now and in the future

can help make the Bush Country healthier - for everyone.

Some important things:

• GLaWAC will pay sitting fees to group members for their time and organise all the logistics for any meetings or on Country visits and support you as much as we can.

• Talks will be done in a yarning circle. You can say what you want, when you want, if you want.

If you’re interested, email [email protected] or [email protected] or [email protected], or ring GLaWAC’s Reception on 03 5152 5100.

Let’s talk about trees ...

Our Country

Working in the fieldRight: Tarra Bulga National Park under snow.

Below left: NRM Crew on steep and slippy terrain.

Below right: NRM Crew working in South Gippsland.

Bottom: Mitchell River National Park - JM crew assessing tracks.


Our OrganisationGLaWAC member snapshot – June 2019

GLaWAC Membership As a member, you are eligible to nominate for a Board or Subcommittee role and provide direction and guidance to the Management Team.

To become a member of GLaWAC you need to complete a Membership Form and provide details of your Apical Ancestry. There are 25 Gunaikurnai Apical Ancestors registered in the Native Title Consent Determination.

Under the Indigenous Land Use Agreement, Gunaikurnai people are not required to obtain a permit or licence or pay a fee for fishing, taking game or fauna, gathering firewood or camping on land and waters where the Gunaikurnai hold native title.

It’s important to remember that non-Gunaikurnai spouses and partners are still required to have a permit or licence and pay the relevant fees.

For further information contact GLaWAC’s Reception on (03) 5152 5100.

The current number of GLaWAC members is 679. This number also includes members who do not wish to receive mail and 40 members who do not have addresses that are current or contactable phone numbers. Our members live in diverse locations across Australia.

Western Australia133

Melbourne86

Unknown location40

New South Wales117

Sale and district28

Traralgon, Morwell, Warragul and district 42

Mooroopna, Shepparton area38

Bairnsdale, Lakes Entrance, Lake Tyers, Bruthen and surrounds 195

Keep up-to-date with your communityIf you have changed address

recently, please let us know by emailing [email protected] or phoning (03) 5152 5100. We want

to make sure you keep receiving regular updates and details of

upcoming events and activities.


KATE LEATHAM, RECEPTIONHi, my name is Kate Leatham and I am a proud Taungurung member/woman. My paternal Grandmother was born at the Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve at Badgers Creek, North East of Melbourne. Her family moved to Mitcham where she met and married my Grandfather and they moved to East Gippsland. I was born and raised in Bairnsdale and decided there was no better place to live and play, so I built my own home and I run my own small business after hours called “Karrot’s Greeting Cards & Soy Candles” where I specialise in an indigenous range of soy candles and vegan soap. I also make necklaces from handed paint wooden beads and seed pods and have a range of indigenous-themed handpainted recycled timber products.

My work history since leaving school involves administrative roles in various industries but I always had a desire and passion to work within a local Indigenous organisation, I worked at Workways for nearly twelve years where I was the Administration and Youth Indigenous Mentor. I was so passionate about helping young people and mentoring the

local communities and worked with the Moogji, Gunaikurnai, Ramahyuck District and surroundings.

I was thrilled when I was recently offered the Reception position at GLaWAC. I am loving my new role and it is truly a pleasure to work with other like-minded people who have a passion for their job, culture and the land – I have so much to learn. I hope I can bring something different to the organisation and I am looking forward to a long and happy association with GLaWAC.

Introducing our new staffGLENDA THORPE, WOMEN’S CULTURAL EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT OFFICERI’m a proud Gunnai/Gunditjmara woman. Born in the Latrobe Valley, my family left for Melbourne in the late 60’s where I spent most of my life until relocating back to country.

I have worked mainly in Aboriginal Health, initially as an Aboriginal Health Worker but moved onto delivering health worker education across Victoria. I then worked in senior management across Aboriginal health, education and early childhood. I am really happy to be in this position with the Cultural Hub at GLaWAC and know that there is still much to learn and am excited about the potential of what the Hub can develop in line with Gunaikurnai dreams and aspirations.

WAYNE THORPE, MEN’S CULTURAL EDUCATION ENGAGEMENT OFFICERMy name is Wayne Thorpe - I recognise as being Gunnai and I have family connections to Yorta Yorta. I have many years of experience in presenting and promoting our culture and language.

I have continually been learning Cultural Ceremony and the Respectful Laws of Lore from Uncle Max Harrison since 2011 and this has helped me in presenting cultural protocols such as welcomes and smoking ceremony and in Cultural Education Engagement.

I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Language and Linguistics as well as a Master of Education with a Thesis titled Watbalimba - Language of Song Story and Dance.

As a team member of the Cultural Hub, I aim to help GLaWAC restore our cultural values, respect laws and structures of being custodians for our culture, our country and our language.

There are many people who want to learn aspects of our cultural ways. And so, we recognise the need to be organising regular gatherings where we can all encourage each other to contribute to the Cultural Society, family and culture. By this, we can all benefit through our sharing and learning our cultural ways of living.

Our Organisation


Our Organisation

LISA HOCKING, POLICY AND PROGRAM MANAGERMy name is Lisa Hocking, I joined GLaWAC at the end of June as the Policy and Program Manager,reporting to Daniel Miller. I live in Bunyip, and work out of Traralgon, along with the Water Crew Lloyd and Tim, and the newsletter guru Karen. I’ve lived in Gippy for about 20 years, so not long really. My dad’s family is from the Wimmera on Wotjobaluk Country, from places including Brim and Warracknabeal. Very different to Gunaikurnai Country!

My job is to work with GLaWAC and community to understand how Gunaikurnai want fire, water, the bush and coastal areas managed on Country. I talk with Government about their policies and strategies, and work to get the Gunaikurnai voice included in government

decisions, including at the grassroots when policy is being developed.

For the past three years I’ve been talking with Traditional Owner groups in the north of Victoria about how they want to see water managed on Country. The work was under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan as part of my work with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. I also worked on getting the Government’s policy on Aboriginal water values and uses, which became a $4.7 million grant over four years, and done lots of other stuff with water in the 12 years I was at the Department. Before working for Government I’ve done stakeholder engagement, communications and issues management for more years than I will admit to and was originally a journalist.

I’m committed to the goals in the

Gunaikurnai Whole of Country Plan, and I hope that what I do can contribute toward achieving those goals. I feel incredibly honoured to be given the chance to be involved and help influence Government outcomes and have the Gunaikurnai voice heard, respected and included.

KAREN RAABE, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS MANAGERHi everyone. I’ve been working with GLaWAC on a consultancy basis since last year reviewing the way that the corporation communicates to its members, the wider Gunaikurnai community, joint management partners and other key stakeholders. I worked closely with the CEO and the Executive Team to build upon and strengthen GLaWAC’s brand and reputation. One year on, and I am now in the new role of Strategic Communications Manager reporting to the CEO and my job is to deliver on GLaWAC’s Strategic Communications and Engagement Plan and support the Board, the Executive Team and our staff in how we talk about our work externally and internally.

For over 20 years, I’ve provided strategic communications, media, stakeholder and community engagement advice to government, corporate and not-for-profit organisations and clients. I’ve worked across a range of sectors including arts, tourism, health, major infrastructure projects and natural

resource management, but this is the first time I’ve had the opportunity to work in a Traditional-Owner led organisation.

After living and working in Melbourne, I now live in South Gippsland with my partner, David and we run beef cattle on the farm with the help of our Kelpie, Jessie. Gippsland is such a beautiful part of the world to live in and I’m looking forward to getting out on Country, spending time with our staff and meeting our members, and deepening my understanding so I can do justice to everyone’s great work and help tell the stories that celebrate GLaWAC’s achievements and the Gunaikurnai culture. Five-year work

anniversary for CoreyCorey Jack recently celebrated his five-year work anniversary as part of the NRM Team. Roger Fenwick, GLaWAC CEO presented Corey with a certificate of acknowledgment at the Deadly Health Day last month. Congratulations to Corey and here’s to your next five years with GLaWAC!

Introducing our new staff


As part of its commitment to staff health and wellbeing, the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) held its first Deadly Health Day last month. The event was supported by GLaWAC’s Aboriginal partner organisations - Gippsland & East Gippsland Aboriginal Co-Operative (GEGAC) and staff from its medical and dental teams and Tanderra Alcohol and Drug Service, as well as staff from Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association (LEAHA) and Yoowinna Wurnalung Aboriginal Healing Service.

The key East Gippsland regional health services, Latrobe Community Health Service (LCHS), Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS), Orbost Regional Health and Gippsland Lakes Community Health (GLCH) were well represented as well as staff from Ambulance Victoria, Diabetes Victoria and Cancer Council Victoria and Lakes Entrance Aquadome whose staff set up a cross-fit circuit and guided staff through correct equipment use. A healthy and delicious breakfast and lunch was provided to all participants courtesy of the chefs from the Bairnsdale Regional Health Service.

GLaWAC Board Member, Paula Morgan was one of the guest speakers and spoke to staff about her journey as a proud Gunaikurnai woman and her career as a community nurse and now CEO of the Lakes Entrance Aboriginal Health Association.

“I firmly believe that health, community and country are at the forefront of GLaWAC and its journey. In my professional and voluntary capacities, I love working closely with my community and allowing them to help drive the changes we require to improve health and wellbeing. My Elders are my strength and the reason I continue to work hard for these changes,” said Ms Morgan.

Deadly Health Day

Our Organisation

Bottom left: Prizes handed out at the Deadly Health Day including a signed North Melbourne jumper and a GK Warriors jumper designed by Robbie Farnham.Top left: Exhibitors at the Deadly Health Day.Bottom right: BRHS Chefs and GLaWAC staff prepared a healthy breakfast and lunch.Below: Colin Mitchell Diabetes Victoria.


The Board have been exploring a range of economic development opportunities across Country. These include direct investment opportunities and business joint ventures and we will keep you up to date with progress through this newsletter, our website and our new Facebook page.The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between GLaWAC and Kinaway, is almost finalised. This will give community easy access to Kinaway services. Kinaway is the Victorian Aboriginal Chamber of Commerce. The partnership will provide a support mechanism for people to explore and/or progress business ideas.

Kinaway’s purpose is to provide business support and advice to Victorian Aboriginal business people and help improve the visibility and networks of Aboriginal businesses to strengthen relationships and create opportunity.

80,000 native trees and shrubs planted in three monthsOur Natural Resource Management (NRM) business continues to thrive and grow. The NRM Crew now have contracts right across Gippsland. In the past three months alone, the crew have planted more than 80,000 native trees and shrubs.

The NRM Crew recently secured the Jones Bay Wildlife Reserve wetlands landscaping project. This much sort-after contract will involve planting over 70,000 native trees. GLaWAC’s NRM Crews’ reputation for professionalism was a major factor in them being successful against many other competitive bidders.

Our Economy

GLaWAC’s Woorara Wanik Waring Art Show was so successful that we decided to open Forestec as a permanent Gunaikurnai and indigenous art gallery. Artists who wish to exhibit their work should contact Ray Thomas, GLaWAC’s Cultural Business Development Coordinator on 0437 299 354 or via Reception on 03 5152 5100.

The National Indigenous Arts Cultural Authority were so impressed with Forestec and our Art Show that they will be holding their Regional Summit at GLaWAC on 11th October

2019. All community, Gunaikurnai and indigenous artists are welcome to attend.

The Bush Café reopens in October and will offer a selection of light meals featuring bush tucker and local produce. GLaWAC’s Forestec headquarters will once again be full of Gunaikurnai and indigenous art, and people enjoying great food at the Bush Café. The Bush Café is set to be a place to gather and yarn over a cuppa while you explore Gunaikurnai culture.

GLaWAC Art Gallery and Bush Café set to open next month

Bruthen Primary School students on display at Art Show. Bush Cafe in full swing at Deadly Health Day.


ISSUE 30 BERNAK (SPRING) EDITION 2019

GLaWAC News

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC)Under the guidance of the Board of Directors and Elders Council, GLaWAC is the Registered Aboriginal Party that represents the Gunaikurnai people and their aspirations for Native Title, cultural heritage, land, water and natural resource management.

GLaWAC News content disclaimerOpinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters 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 that it feels is not in the best interest of the Corporation or its members.

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal CorporationForestec, 27 Scriveners RoadKalimna West, Victoria, 3909Phone: 03 5152 5100Fax: 03 5152 [email protected]

This newsletter has been printed sustainably, using recycled paper, non-toxic inks and 100% solar power.

NAIDOC celebrations


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