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GLaWACI s s u e 2 6Y a l a b a n

(Autumn)E d i t i o n 2 0 1 8

News

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Elders’ Council, Board Members and Staff

Elders’ Council

Aunty Gwen Atkinson Aunty Lena Morris Aunty Deanna Campbell

Aunty Betty Solomon Uncle Colin Thomas Aunty Gwen McGregor Aunty Rachel Mullett

Aunty Margaret Donnelly Aunty Shirley Foster Aunty Glenis Solomon Aunty Fay Voss Aunty Maria

Harrison Aunty Beryl Booth Aunty Charmaine Singleton Aunty Madge Siely Aunty Olive Stevens Aunty

Julie Mongta - All members will be formally acknowledged at the next meeting

GLaWAC Board Members

Chair-Brian Stevens Joanne Brunt Troy McDonald Doris Paton Russell Mullett Glenys Watts

Independent Directors Graeme Dear David Brennan

Administration Staff

Roger Fenwick- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Daniel Miller- General Manager- On Country Operations

Grattan Mullett- Cultural Hub Manager Mardi Edwards- Human Resources Manager

Ruth Fitzclarence- Marketing and Communications Maureen Penwill- Finance

Joe Rettino-Business Management Coordinator

Vikki Eldridge- Senior Administration Receptionist- Bianca Baxter and Michelle Mongta

RAP Cultural Heritage Assessment Team

Joanna Freslov- Assessment Technical Specialist Casual RAP Monitors-Paul Harrison Tim Paton

Cedric Parsons Doug Harrison Steven Hood

Patrick Mullett -Cultural Heritage Crew Leader Nicky Moffat Paula Martin- Cultural Heritage Officers-

Joint Management Ranger Team

Grattan Mullett Jnr - JM Crew Leader JM Rangers- Bradley Hood Dylan Davies-Hood

Shay Terrick Kobi Cook Kobi Hood

Natural Resource Management Team

Andy Booth- NRM Project Coordinator Geoff McHugh- NRM Mentor Matt Kennedy-NRM Mentor

Nigel Pearce- Team Leader

NRM crew- Mick Farnham Corey Jack Bronson Ritchie Darren Allen Max Solomon Jai Nelson

Mark Kenny Ashley Hood Kealey Ratzmann

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This Issue

4 Corporate Update- Report from the Chair and the CEO

6 GLaWAC Member snapshot update from the CEO

8 GLaWAC Members

10 Latrobe Valley update

12 Joint Management (JM) Rangers Report

14 Gallery

16 Natural Resource Management (NRM) Report

18 Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) Report

20 Cultural Hub Report

22 Partnerships

24 Community Connections

26 Get to know your Board members

30 Whose track is that?

31 GunaiKurnai Traditional Owners Land Management Board

32 Disclaimer

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Update from the GLaWAC Board and the CEO

Dear Members

We are very pleased to present to you our Autumn Newsletter. Our front cover picture shows the Buchan caves reserve, one of our Joint Managed Parks. We are really pleased with the work of our On-Country team are performing at this site to increase the cultural interpretation activities and signage at the site and in delivering on the ground works to present the park well for visitors.

This edition is full of great stories regarding your organisation and also our partners.

Our AGM in February was successful with us trialling the use of technology to allow more members to participate. We will continue to refine this to make it better for all. We welcome our new Elders council and continue to encourage Elders to consider joining this critical cultural leadership team for the organisation.

The AGM updated members on how we have collectively spent a lot of time ensuring the financial and governance arrangements for the organisation is organised and tracking well.

Our focus is now on helping involve members and community in decision making, healing and getting more involved in the functions of GLaWAC. For people considering nominating as a director we will be running training programs from late June through to September, please let us know if you are interested.

Our Elders and members are who we all work for. It is important we all keep striving to bring the mob together and heal so we can all share in the exciting opportunities your organisation can support through On-country Management and Cultural Heritage management and storytelling.

Please let us know of constructive ideas you have to involve you more and provide benefits to you and your families through our business operations.

We also profile a local Gunaikurnai business that is well established as part of the Gippsland economy. Any other Gunaikurnai business, who would like us to share your story in our next editions, please let us know.

The Joint Management Plans that GLaWAC the GK Traditional Owners Land Management Board and the state have been working on for a number of years is nearly ready for ministerial sign off. These plans present a range of clear opportunities for Gunaikurnai people to be directly involved in On Country Management and decision making and have a clear principal of self-determination and improved cultural on country story telling built in the required future projects. They also include projects to enhance the camping and many other opportunities for you the Native Title Holders.

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We will keep you informed of an on country event we hope to run at the Knob reserve to launch the next phase of these plans.

We already have Gunaikurnai members involved in the Knob reserve management committee and also on a group now in discussions regarding how Gunaikurnai wish to lead cultural burning practices. These are two examples of self-determination in practice. If you’re interested let us know at GLaWAC on 51525100.

Some of your board members are attending the National Native Title conference in Broome in early June and are presenting a session on the journey of settlement to current plans.

Roger has been with GLaWAC for 12 months now and is taking well-earned annual leave. Grattan Mullett is acting CEO as we wish him the best and congratulate him on taking on this vital leadership role on your behalf.

Yours

Sincerely

Brian Stevens Roger Fenwick

Board Chair CEO

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GLaWAC Snapshot for Members from the CEOOur Organisation

• Our website is constantly being improved. A reminder you can find details regarding Native Title matters currently being considered, videos, key organisational documents and much more. Please have a look. www.gunaikurnai.org

• Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners- They are finalising a response to our letter of last year requesting governance details. This will be ready for us to consider our membership mid-year. They are providing targeted support for us, at our request, and considering the matters we have raised to ensure member benefits that fit all organisation sizes

• Latrobe Valley Office- Funding and business case being worked on. Need to set up a targeted community advisory group to assist us in set up.

• Financially tracking very well and heading for an operating profit that will be put back into members benefits and the organisation

• Opportunity for training and employment including board directors training commencing in June. Keep an ear and eye out for more info.

• Our Workforce Review has commenced. Consultants are having a look at our structure, capabilities, strengths and areas for improvement. This information will then be provided to the CEO and Board for consideration.

• We welcome Mark Kenny on to our NRM team as a full time crew member based primarily at the Sale RAAF base.

• Grattan Mullett is our Acting CEO during May.

• Patrick Mullett and Grattan Jnr have commenced as acting team leaders in the JM Ranger crew and the RAP crew. These positions will be advertised externally in mid-year.

• We are commencing negotiations with Parks Victoria to introduce a joint agency Ranger traineeship program. Watch this space.

Our Culture

• Native Title and Cultural Heritage Sub Committee of the board functioning well. Guests are always welcome.

• Museum and library visit a success with further research and repatriation discussions ongoing.

• Bianca Baxter progressing well in her Cert 1V CH training.

• Cultural Training days for staff are progressing really well. We encourage elders to have a yarn with our team at these events.

• Staff are travelling to and presenting at the next State wide RAP forum. This forum is run by the Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation and our RAP team are also presenting.

Our Economy

• GLaWAC have submitted a range of funding bids into Federal, State and Local grant processes. We will keep you posted of our progress re these bids. This also includes bids into the state wide water program which if successful will result in a range of employment opportunities across Gippsland.

• GLaWAC is supporting Maureen Penwill and 3 Gunaikurnai reps are attending the Indigenous Investment Principals workshop run by the IBA in Melbourne - IBA IPP Investment 2day workshop Melbourne .

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GLaWAC Snapshot for Members from the CEO• Brian, Joanne and Roger attended a Gippsland Economic development

meeting on April 19th titled the Gippsland GROW Regional Workshop

Our Country

• Joint Management Plan nearing sign-off. Roger has sent a letter to the minister to ensure we have some extra implementation funding as part of the plan launch.

• Plan launch proposed to be a large event for community at the Knob. Minister attending and involve board and elders with cultural activities. Current date proposed is late July-August.

• The return of the Mt Hotham Airport land still progressing with also another site now in negotiation as well.

• A group has been set up to set up how Gunaikurnai wish to lead cultural burning practices into the future. If you are interested in participating contact Daniel Miller at GLaWAC

• Much activity and on ground works are happening in and around the Gippsland Lakes, Tatungalung country. The recent Love our Lakes forum at Forestec was a great success. See a wonderful video of our staff working on the lake at http://gunaikurnai.org.au/video-gallery/

Our Members and community

Community events being planned include;

• Art Show proposed for October at Forestec –Details to be confirmed

• Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week celebrations- check our website for updates and details

• Mt Hotham- Ski opening weekend- Invitation from Mt Hotham for small number of Gunaikurnai community members to attend. Contact Grattan Mullett for further details.

• McMillan Electorate update- We have written a letter to the AEC stating our pleasure the name McMillan was removed but our displeasure that an Aboriginal name proposed what not used. We will keep you posted if any other updates occur.

• GLaWAC wishes to seek dialogue with other Aboriginal organisations boards regarding how we can best support each other in our varied responsibilities.

Media and communication highlights

• JM Rangers at Buchan Caves- Signage and tourism promotion

• GLaWAC contribution to GKTOLMB Facebook page

• Completion of the Love our Lakes Videos featuring JM Rangers, NRM and

Grattan Mullett Snr

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GLaWAC MEMBERS

Benefits of becoming a member of GLaWAC

• You will receive regular quarterly newsletters, keeping you up

to date on what is happening in the Gunaikurnai community

and at GLaWAC.

• You will be informed of any employment that becomes available at

GLaWAC.

• You can keep informed on upcoming meetings and family cultural days

• An identity card will be issued allowing you to be able to fish, take game or fauna, gather firewood

and camp, without the need to obtain a permit or pay fees. (Some conditions do apply- please contact

GLaWAC for more information).

• Easy access to Funeral Assistance Program

• Access to Community Benefit Program (Sponsorships and donations).

Ring GLaWAC on 5152 5100, visit our website www.gunaikurnai.org

or come in and see us at 27 Scriveners Road, Kalimna West for more information.

We can also provide detailed maps of boundaries and camping areas.

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FREE CAMPING for all GLaWAC Members - Bookings required

No fishing licence required for GLaWAC members

Corringle Foreshore Reserve, also known as Corringle Slips, is a rela-tively natural camping area close to the beach. Pit toilets, including a disabled access toilet close to the day visitor area, picnic tables and fireside barbeques are available. Visitors are encouraged to be self-sufficient with drinking water. Carry it in and/or know how to make untreated water safe for drinking.

Water and boating activities can be enjoyed within the estuary, at Mots Beach, Sampson’s Beach and up from the Marlo jetty. Swimming is not advised as the ocean beach at Corringle is unsafe due to strong rips and currents. Surf fishing is very popular. The most common fish caught are Salmon, Tailor and Gummy Shark. A concrete boat ramp is located at the slips, providing access to the Snowy River estuary.

An amateur fishing license is required for all waters in Victoria including ocean fishing. Areas sheltered from the wind and suitable for canoeing include the Corringle Slips backwater and French’s Narrows. The walking track from the picnic area takes in the Snowy River backwater providing access to the beach.

Facilities

• Accessible toilet and Barbecue

• Bushwalking trails nearby

• BYO firewood - Campfires permitted in

designated fireplaces

• Car-parking available

• Compost/pit toilet

• Dogs allowed on leash

• Groups welcome

• Information shelter

• Native bush setting and Outdoor activities

• Rainwater

• Shared seats/tables

• Suitable for caravans

• Telstra phone reception

• Unpowered sites

• Untreated tank water may be available

• 24 camp sites and 6 drop toilets

• Boat ramp and 2 Jetties

• 2 Beach cross-overs in camping areas with a chain and board walk to help you get back over the dunes

• Fishing in the lake or at the surf beach

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LATROBE VALLEY updateGLaWAC understands that many of the Traditional Owners our organisation represents, live in and around

the Latrobe Valley. GLaWAC’s core business on behalf of its members is, On-Country Management,

Cultural Heritage Management, Native Title Matters and supporting relevant economic development

opportunities. We will include an update regarding this area each newsletter from now on.

GLaWAC is working hard to establish a second corporate office in the Latrobe Valley that will complement

the head office at Forestec. We are conducting assessments of two sites in Morwell and will keep members

posted as this work progresses. We aim initially to have at

least 6 staff working from this site.

Kobi is a Joint Management Ranger currently working in

the Traralgon Parks Office. Kobi spends a lot of his time

maintaining the tracks and amenities at the Tarra Bulga

National Park.

GLaWAC has joint an economic development forum in

the Latrobe Valley. This group is sponsored by the Latrobe

Valley Authority and called Gippsland GROW. The key

objectives of GROW are;

• Growing jobs and the regional economy - maximising the impact of local and regional spend on

economic output and jobs in Gippsland.

• Growing jobs for target communities - intentionally focussing on economic and social impacts

for key target groups such as young people, transitioning workers, Aboriginal people, and the long-term

unemployed.

EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT

GLaWAC is working closely with the Latrobe City, Aboriginal employment program to develop traineeships and recruitment activities for GLaWACs core business.

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The Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner Mr Rae Mackay and GLaWAC CEO Roger Fenwick have met to discuss the importance of ensuring the voice of the Gunaikurnai is well heard in the planning

advice being prepared for the Government.

The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment (Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner) Bill 2017 was introduced in May 2017 to establish the statutory office of the Commissioner to monitor and audit mine rehabilitation, and consult local communities.

The Commissioner will provide independent advice directly to the Government on mine rehabilitation and help develop the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy.

The Commissioner is required to work closely with the community, stakeholders and the Latrobe Valley mine operators – and oversee individual rehabilitation planning for each of the coal mines.

It will also work in partnership with the Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Advisory Committee who have asked GLaWAC to seek a representative from the Gunaikurnai community to join .

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Joint Management (JM) Rangers Report

The GLaWAC JM Rangers have been working with Parks VIC staff to assess current pig numbers and damage

caused by pigs feeding and moving about on the Boole Poole Island. Parks VIC have also organised a

community engagement forum at Mosquito Point with residents, creating support for a pig control program.

The program will involve GLaWAC and Parks VIC staff setting up pig traps, and residents forming a roster

to monitor the traps. Residents will then call Parks VIC when a pig has been caught. With no permanent

residents at Mosquito Point, this community partnership between GLaWAC, Parks VIC and residents is vital

to ensure that Pig numbers are controlled in a humane fashion. GLaWAC staff will continue to be involved in

the monitoring and assessment of the program and Pig numbers.

Our JM Rangers supported 2 CMA conferences in April. The East Gippsland Catchment Management

Authority has recently hosted a state wide CMA Field Staff Conference, inviting GLaWAC staff to attend and

present on current and future land management works around the Lakes. The conference left from Lakes

Entrance after a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Grattan Mullett Jr., travelling by boat

on a tour of the Gippsland Lakes. A highlight of the tour was a stop at Sperm Whale Head where GLaWAC

Joint Management Rangers Shay Terrick and Dylan Davies Hood presented on their experiences working

on the Lakes with each of the partner agencies such as Parks VIC, DELWP and the CMA’s. They also spoke

about how proud they are working On Country, and their sense of achievement in working on projects from

start to finish.

West Gippsland CMA also held an event on the Lakes with the annual Gippsland Lakes Forum. This forum

also attracted people from across Victoria to discuss, learn and share knowledge and stories about works

and the health of the Gippsland Lakes. Once again GLaWAC staff were an integral part of the program,

presenting on their works and experiences.

Fire – crews have worked with DELWP on prescribed burns in 2017/18 season and the GLaWAC fire crews

are continuing to work with DELWP on their hazard reduction burns across the settlement area. This work

builds skills and experience across the GLaWAC crew in an important land management practice, supporting

the protection of both public and private assets. This work also compliments future programs that GLaWAC

are planning that will include staff, community members leading traditional burning for cultural and

ecological benefits – more on this to come in future newsletters.

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Natural Resource Management (NRM) Report

GLaWAC’s NRM team have recently completed a fencing project at the Knob Reserve in Stratford. This

project is to exclude horses and people from the area, to remove grass weeds and eventually establish

native grasses. The NRM team are trialling solar heat treating of weeds, which is a new and innovative

way to treat weeds. Plastic has been laid out over the ground to kill the weeds by solar energy – creating

an environment that is too hot for the plants to survive. This area will then be planted out with the native

grasses, and the fence will help maintain and protect the area. A large number of African Boxthorn has also

been sprayed across the reserve.

Lake Tyers Fishing Club and GLaWAC have teamed up to spray Blackberries along 14kms of river frontage

in the Timbarra Valley. The fishing club were awarded the money by the East Gippsland CMA and chose

GLaWAC as their preferred contractor to complete the work, which requires care and strong attention to

detail – as most of the work was carried out along the edge of the Timbarra River. Approximately 4km of

the work was carried out on private land and 10km on the adjoining State Forest.

The NRM team have also been working across other parts of the settlement area, completing jobs such

as spraying African Lovegrass and Bridal Creeper around Forge Creek, Wheel Cactus at Boole Poole, weed

spraying with Landcare groups around Foster and Toora in South Gippsland and controlling Foxes around

the Gippsland Lakes

All of GLaWAC’s On Country staff continue to work on units of study for their Conservation and Land

Management Cert III, with theory and practical work scheduled each month. This study is essential to

consolidate the practical work that staff undertake in the field, and supports GLaWAC staff to be held in

such high regard by each of our land management partners. GLaWAC fire crews are continuing to work with

DELWP on their hazard reduction burns across the settlement area.

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Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) ReportCultura l Her i tage Operat ionsWe have had a busy quarter this Autumn and our two cultural heritage officers Nicky and Paula have been carrying out many cultural inductions. These are an important way of introducing Gunaikurnai cultural and legal responsibilities for cultural heritage to construction workers across East Gippsland. We are working to improve the presentation but the feedback from construction teams is that they really appreciate the sessions. Both officers have also been busy doing site inspections and in several cases recording new sites.

We have welcomed two new staff members. Patrick Mullett, is our new Cultural Heritage Crew Leader. Pat will be responsible for coordinating the RAP team timetables and making sure the right person is in the right place at the right time. He will also assist the team where necessary and will be the first response person for issues and problems. We have also welcomed Cedric Parsons to the RAP team and he will be covering areas from the La Trobe valley to areas further west. This is consistent with our aim to recruit more representatives from across the RAP area.

We have commenced nine cultural heritage management plans this quarter and the fieldwork and associated meetings have kept us busy. We have also received ten cultural heritage permits which we are currently assessing. Some of the permits have resulted from the large number of site inspections we are doing for DELWP for their roadworks and forestry operations. When our RAP team assess the proposed works areas for DELWP they make recommendations for cultural heritage permits when required. As we have nearly 200 inspections to do we can expect to have a continuing stream of permit applications.

We continue to make progress toward undertaking a joint research program with Monash University Centre for Archaeological Excellence. A general proposal has now been approved and an invitation is being sent to Monash to commence discussions here at GLaWAC. Monash will be providing a presentation at Forestec to all interested people in May. They will also be bringing their Drone to provide demonstrations of its use for survey in difficulty areas.

The cultural mapping study at Lake Tyers is about to commence its second phase, with an intensive round of consultation to map intangible, historic and anthropological values in the Park. We look forward to the results.

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In April we have focussed our training on understanding the provisions of the Aboriginal

Heritage Act 2006, particularly the harm provisions. We have looked at ‘when is harm

permitted’, ‘when is a CHMP mandatorily required’ and ‘when is a permit required’? Having

a better understanding of the Act allows our RAP crew to provide sound and consistent

advice to heritage advisors and construction crews.

In May we are looking forward to sending a team to the RAP Forum in Horsham and also a trip to La Trobe University to bring back all the artefacts from New Guinea II that were

excavated from the site 30 years ago.

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Cultural Hub Report

The Lakes Entrance Rotary Club and GLaWAC partnered for the third year to present the Gippsland Lakes Art on Show. This annual event was held in early March and saw a variety of categories represented ranging from photographic, painting and arcylics through to the Aboriginal art category. The Aboriginal art category showcased local Aboriginal artworks with a number of those sold throught the weekend. We also engaged Adrian Morgan to conduct an emu egg carving workshop over the weekend with great interest from the general public.

A number of Welcome to Country and Smoking ceremony requests were received and delivered for community and agency events held throughout our settlement area.

We recently visited the Melbourne Museum and State Library to inspect the early Howitt papers

and other documents held at these institutions. We are currently working with them to arrange

for copies of documents, photos and cultural materials to be held and displayed at GLaWAC. We

will keep you posted on the progress of this.

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The Cultural Awareness and Education sessions that GLaWAC offers were delivered to the Latrobe

Performing Arts Centre staff and Parks Victoria staff. We will be delivering another session with staff from

West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and Latrobe City Councillors in the coming weeks.

Matt Holland ( Parks Vic ) and the Joint Management Ranger’s have been holding community

consultations regarding the Lake Tyers State Park Camping and Access Strategy. These sessions

will occur across the community for members to have input into the future actions as part of

this strategy given the high level of cultural values that exist in this park. I have been engaged to

provide support for these consultations as required.

Our Cultural Heritage and Native Title sub-committee meets monthly to discuss and action request’s that

come through GLaWAC. These requests often require careful consideration before approval and take into

account the protection and maintenance of Gunaikurnai culture and stories.

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PA R T N E R S H I P S

The partnership with the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) continues to strengthen.

The GLaWAC NRM team, JM Rangers and Cultural Hub Manager, Grattan Mullett

Snr were recently involved in the filming of 4 videos that showcase the waterways around Gippsland and the involvement of key partners. Special thanks to Rach Millar

for coordinating this project and supporting our staff. The videos can be viewed via the

GLaWAC website www.gunaikurnai.org

The Buchan Caves Reserve is one of

the parks that GLaWAC jointly manages

with Parks VIC. It is also a highly popular

tourist attraction. The GLaWAC Joint

Management Rangers have been

working closely with Parks VIC staff at

the Buchan Caves Reserve to design

new signage for the park, a cultural

interpretation walk and also filming for a

tourist promotion video.

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The GLaWAC team have been working

in partnership with the East Gippsland

Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA)

and DELWP to improve clear public access

points to popular fishing spots along the

Tambo River.

These works are a coordinated effort to

improve the health of the Tambo River.

Five popular sites have been improved from

Ensay downstream to the mouth of the river.

PA R T N E R S H I P S

The Lakes Entrance

Rotary Club and GLaWAC

partnered for the third year

to present the Gippsland

Lakes Art on Show in early

March. Local Gunaikurnai

man Adrian Morgan

conducted an emu egg

carving workshop which

was very popular.

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Community connectionsThe theme for National Reconciliation Week 2018 is

Don’t Keep History a Mystery.

This year, we invite Australians to Learn, Share, and

Grow – by exploring our past, learning more about

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and

cultures, and developing a deeper understanding of

our national story. Reconciliation Week event- Warrigal

Creek Massacre film screening- See GLaWAC website for

more details www.gunaikurnai.org

Each edition of the GLaWAC Newsletter we would like to showcase Gunaikurnai businesses. If you have a business and would like us to feature it, please phone us at GLaWAC 5152 5100.

Hewats Mar ine

Factory 1/29 Duffy Street

Swan Reach VIC 3903

Office: 0341415371

Mobile: 0448189475

Hi, I’m Jade Hewat and I’m the owner/operator of Hewat’s Marine. I have been a marine mechanic for a total of 12 years and had my own business for 5 years.

I currently employ 3 people; an apprentice, a book keeper and another qualified mechanic.

We service and repair all outboards and inboard engines from Diesel inboards, to 2 stroke and 4 strokes outboard engines.

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For NAIDOC Week

events

all details will be

available on the

GLaWAC website

www.gunaikurnai.org

Please check the website

regularly for updates

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Getting to know your GLaWAC Board Members

Russell MullettWhy did you want to be on the board?

I was accepted by the Administrator after completing an Expression of Interest to be on his Advisory Board – why did I apply – I attended the very first meeting to put in a Native Title claim – my mother Euphemia Mullett (Hood) endorsed me to be a Claimant on her behalf. My reasons and reasoning are supported by my belief in who we are as Kurnai and our connection to country. My family grew up in the bush and worked in the bush, we travelled in summer to the coast to go fishing and swimming. My family has put in the blood, sweat and tears into Gippsland. It wasn’t my choice to be on the Board that role was bestowed on me by the decision of the Administrator to appoint the Advisory Committee as the new Board when his time had expired.

What skills do you bring to the board?

I bring my life experiences from sport and work.

What are your aspirations for future board? Those coming on deck understand that the role has a huge responsibility in determining young people’s future opportunities to work on and enjoy their country

What motivates you to work hard?

I grew up working next to my father in the bush. He had a strong work ethic and my mum who always worked. I enjoy seeing ‘the fruits of my labour’.

What is your favourite thing about your career?

This is an odd question given that I never thought of my work life as a ‘career’ – on that note the best I can offer is to keep working hard and if opportunities come take them and plan for success.

What is your proudest accomplishment?

Winning the Victorian State Badminton Under 18/19 Singles Champion in 1968. I was 13 years old. Additionally I was the Men’s Doubles Champion in 1967/68 and Mixed Doubles Champion in 1967. I also held the Australian Mixed Doubles Champions title 1967-69 and on the Victorian Badminton Team successfully defending their Australian Championship Team Title.

If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be?

To go back in time when I spent days surfing and fishing on the beach

What was your first job?

Helping mum with the cleaning up around our bark and tin humpy, carrying fire wood and going down the creek to get water.

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Getting to know your GLaWAC Board Members

Joanne BruntWhy did you want to be on the board?

To provide the opportunity to help better the lives of Gunaikurnai people. To guide

and be part of the aspirations of Gunaikurnai community Native Title holders and to forge

economic development opportunities on country. Both are part of our collective aspirations for

better lives, connections to country and caring for country of our families and future generations.

Having worked in Local Government for 17 years, I have believe I can bring a range of networks and

partnerships from business and industry, local state and federal government departments Registered

Training Providers that will assist the organisation to grow.

What skills do you bring to the board/organisation?

Strategic thinking, leadership skills, finance and marketing skills and project management.

What is your favourite thing about your career?

Working in the employment and training sector can be challenging but also very rewarding. I enjoy helping

my mob gain employment. I know how much a job means to any individual, the improving self-esteem,

moving out of poverty and providing for family, improved health and wellbeing and seeing the flow on

effects in all areas of life just by having a job.

What was your first job?

My first job was working in a fish and chip shop when I was 12. I can still make a mean hamburger!

What would you say is one of your hobbies?

I really enjoy interior decorating, I love being creative and changing the look of my house.

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What is your proudest accomplishment?

My children.

Then my proudest moment was winning the National Local Government Awards.

This award did not represent my achievements but the achievement of the participants who

have successfully gained employment,

who I see then become the positive role models in their community who are

ultimately our present and future,

leaders of our community in years to come.

Which team do you barrack for in the AFL?

I support the Kangaroos! North Melbourne has always been my

team. I enjoy getting down to watch a match every season and my

favourite player of all time would have to be Brent Harvey.

“If you fell down yesterday, stand up today.” – H.G. Wells

This quote is something that I live by.

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Whose track is that?The track below was photographed at Lakes Entrance. Hint- This animal has a small, round, blue body on long jointed legs with purple stripes.

Can you guess which animal made this track?

The answer will be in the next

edition of the GLaWAC News.

The answer from the last newsletter is the Emu! We hoped you guessed correctly. The Emu is Australia’s tallest native bird, reaching between 1.6 m and 1.9 m when standing erect. Adult Emus are covered with shaggy grey-brown feathers except for the neck and head, which are largely naked and bluish-black. Each foot has three forward-facing toes and no hind toe. The Emu is found only in Australia, ranging from coastal regions to high in the Snowy Mountains. Emus eat fruits, seeds, growing shoots of plants, insects, other small animals, and animal droppings. Emus communicate by booming, drumming and grunting. Booming is created in an inflatable neck sac, and can be heard up to 2 km away.

Nesting takes place in winter. The nest consists of a platform of grass on the ground, about 10 cm thick and 1 m - 2 m in diameter. The large eggs (130 mm x 90 mm) are laid at intervals of two to four days. These are dark bluish-green when fresh, becoming lighter with exposure to the sun. The shells are thick, with paler green and white layers under the dark outer layer.

The female dominates the male during pair formation but once incubation begins, the male becomes aggressive to other Emus, including his mate. The female wanders away and leaves the male to perform all the incubation. The male incubates the eggs without drinking, feeding, defecating or leaving the nest. During this time, eggs often roll out of the nest and are pulled back in by the male.Newly hatched chicks are cream-coloured with dark brown stripes. They leave the nest when they are able to feed themselves. Young birds stay close together and remain with the male for four months. They finally leave at about six months. Reference- https://australianmuseum.net.au/emu

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Traditional Owner Land Management Board (TOLMB) Report

The GKTOLMB has been busy preparing a final version of the Joint Management Plan (JMP) during recent months, which will soon be submitted to the Minister for final approval. We are hoping that this will happen in June, making it the first JMP to be approved in Victoria.

The final draft has been developed with consideration to feedback received through the public consultation process, with a number of suggestions supported by the Board. Some refinements have also been made to ensure we have captured the Gunaikurnai aspirations for joint management and to make sure that the plan can be used as a planning tool for the ongoing management of the 10 parks and reserves.

The Board has recently been working with GLaWAC and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) to ensure that the approval and release of the plan is a special occasion, reflecting the hard work and effort everyone has put in to get it to this stage. It is likely that a launch event will be held at the Knob Reserve, possibly in late July/early August, and we look forward to inviting community members along once the details have been finalised.

We have also been working closely with GLaWAC to ensure that the implementation of the plan is a key focus for our partners, and we are talking with the DELWP to see that funding will be available to deliver projects from the JMP and build the capacity of the GLaWAC teams to be involved in all levels of park management.

The current GKTOLM Board is getting close to the end of its second 3-year term, and DELWP and GLaWAC have agreed to reappoint the current Board members for at least for another 12 months to help with the transition as we move from a joint management planning focus to implementation.

The Knob Reserve Committee of Management has also been reappointed for another term. We are happy to see two new GK appointments to the committee, being Grattan Mullett Jnr and Nicky Moffat (Chair). We understand that this is the first Committee of Management in Victoria to have a Traditional Owner as the Chairperson, and we look forward to supporting Nicky and Grattan Jnr in their roles. You can learn more about the Knob Reserve Committee of Management by visiting www.gunaikurnai.com.au/knob-reserve .

In other joint management news, the Board members would like to congratulate the Delkunja Dja TOLMB on reaching the important milestone of completing their draft JMP, which has recently been advertised for a 2-month public consultation period.

Finally, don’t forget you can follow us on Facebook @gunaikurnaitolmb and Twitter @gktolmb to keep up to date with the latest joint management news.

Grattan Mullett

Chair

GKTOLM Board

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Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation

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