coastal custodians...coastal custodians 2 inside this issue page introducing margaret carriage 1,...
TRANSCRIPT
Coastal Custodians 1
COASTAL CUSTODIANS
Volume 3, Issue 1 August/September 2006
It really does give me a great deal of joy to
introduce you to Margaret Carriage. It took me a
while to convince Aunty Marg to let me
interview her, but it has turned out to be a most
rewarding and valuable experience. I hope you
enjoy the journey as much as I have.
Introducing Margaret Carriage
I was born Margaret Cathrine Connell 22nd
January 1943 at Crown Street Women’s Hospital
Sydney. Born to Ursula Rose Connell nee
Brown-Dixon and Ernest John Richard Connell.
Dad was born at Narooma on the 11th
May 1917
to Katherine (Granny Kate) Connell, born 1893,
and they lived in the Narooma to Moruya area
until he left home at the age of thirteen when he
moved to Sydney. He went to Newstead School
at South Heads for a while. He was an only child
but had many cousins. He got a job in the
Chinese market gardens with an old Chinaman
named Charley. He must have worked with him
a long time cause that’s where he learned to be a
good gardener.
Granny Kate’s father was Martin Connell born
18th
May 1857 and died 29th
November 1926.
Martin’s mother was Catherine Fitzpatrick nee
Killeen (1816-1878). His father was Michael
O’Connell of County Clare in Ireland born 1800.
He was tried on the 27th
of July 1830 for
abduction in County Clare and convicted and
sentenced to transportation for life. He arrived in
NSW on the 5th
of November 1831 on board the
transport ship ‘Jane’. He was assigned to Francis
Flanagan at Broulee. A conditional pardon was
granted on the 31st of December 1847. He died
on the 18th
of June 1863 at Broulee. Michael
O’Connell’s parents were John O’Connell and
Ellen Moore of County Clare in Ireland.
Granny Kate’s brothers and sisters were, Richard
Michael, Martin (Jnr), Thomas Joseph who
married Melba (nee) Allen and later Mildred
(nee) O’Cass, Bridget Ann who married John
Marcellul, Mary E, James Martin (Uncle Jim)
who married Marguerite May Brown (Aunty
May), Philomena Agnes who married Arthur
Lye, Amelia Maude (Dad called her Milda) who
married Darcy Lonnigan and Leo Patrick (Uncle
Leo). As a very small child I knew Uncle Jim,
Uncle Leo and Aunty Phyllis who I think was
Philomena. Aunty May lived to be seventy-two,
being Mum’s sister/first cousin she visited for
my Mum’s sixtieth birthday in 1980. Aunty May
passed away on the 3rd
of November 1985.
Ursula Rose and Ernest John Richard Connell Continued page 3
Coastal Custodians 2
Inside this Issue
Page
Introducing Margaret Carriage
1, 3,4, 5, 6 & 7
Inside this Issue - Letters to the Editor
2
Media Release Eurobodalla Shire Council
7 & 8
Mimosa Rocks National Park review of the Plan of Management
8 & 9
Muuji – Regional Centre for Social and Emotional Wellbeing
9
Eurobodalla NAIDOC Awards 2006 10 - 11
Aboriginal Female Cadet Ranger Open Day
12
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander War Veterans Broulee Primary School News Learning more about Threatened Species Clean Energy for Eternity – Public meeting Marrambul Mali Meeting 2006 NSW Aboriginal Men’s Sharing and Learning Circle
13
14
15
16 & 17
18
19
Calendar of Events & Subscription form
20
DISCLAIMER
Information provided in the Coastal Custodian is
not necessarily the views of the Department of
Environment & Conservation (NPWS). DEC
takes no responsibility for errors or omissions of
fact based on information provided by third
parties.
Letters to the Editor
Dear Trisha,
Congratulations to all concerned with the Hand
back and it’s celebrations. What a fantastic day!
It obviously took a lot of organisation to
coordinate the agreement on the lease and then
the big day with Gulaga Mountain as a witness.
Way to go!
I thought that you and your readers could be
interested to hear of the lesser-known importance
of September 11, 2006. It’s not only the 5th
anniversary since the planes crashed into Twin
Towers. It was also the 100 year anniversary
since Gandhi commenced his non-violent
mission, which has influenced countless others
in passive resistance.
On September 11 1906, more than 3000 Indians,
both Hindu and Muslim gathered to voice their
outrage to the proposal of a law that intended to
reduce Indians and Chinese to a semi-criminal
status. A Muslim, Seth Haj Habib, suggested to
Gandhi the spiritual dimension to the plan of
passive resistance.
Over 3000 people standing with upraised hands
took the oath, “with God as a witness”, not to
submit to the Ordinance if it became law.
After 8 years of non-violent struggle, a new
relationship developed between Indians and
white people in South Africa and a new method
of struggling against violence.
Reference: Derek MITCHELL and Professor
Michael NAGLER from The Non-Violent Peace
Force.
Professor EMERITUS from Peace and Conflict
Studies, University of California, Berkley.
Yours Sincerely
Sam May 30/09/06
Coastal Custodians 3
Introducing Margaret Carriage Continued:
Granny Kate’s mother, Margaret Connell nee
Piety was born on the 7th
of October 1869 at
Mynora, Moruya. She died in Bega in 1921. She
was the daughter of Richard (Dick) Piety born 1st
November 1844 at Mullenderee, Moruya and
died 24th
September 1918 at Newstead, Moruya.
Her mother was Catherine (Kate) Sutton born
15th
October 1847 at Kiora, Moruya, died 24th
April 1898 Moruya. Catherine was the daughter
of John Sutton and Lelitia. Dick was named after
his father Richard Piety who was born in 1814 in
Kent England. He arrived in NSW on the 8th
of
April 1843 aboard the ‘Henry Porcher’. He was
tried for stealing a watch. Convicted and
sentenced to 14 years transportation. Assigned to
Francis Flanagan at Broulee. He died on the 5th
of July 1867 at Buckenboura, NSW from a
‘Visitation from God’ (natural causes). He was
buried at Glenduart, Moruya. He was married by
common law to Dick’s mother, Jane Sissy
Namble a local Aboriginal woman. Jane was
born in 1823 at Broulee and died on the 10th
of
August 1896 at Narooma.
Thomas Patrick and Myrtle Rose Brown
Mum (Ursula Rose Connell) was born at
Bowraville on the 10th
of September 1920 to
Margaret Jane Dixon born 1896 at Currawan and
died in Kempsey in 1924. Mum’s father was said
to be Swedish, and we are still researching this
side of the family. Mum had a younger sister
Malvena Timbery. Their mother died at age 28
from a heart attack. Aunty Malley was taken by
her father back to Sydney. Mum was legally
adopted by her mother’s sister, Myrtle Rose
Brown nee Dixon (Granny Brown) and her
husband Thomas Patrick Brown. Thomas
Brown’s father was Patrick Browne and his
mother was Elizabeth Marshall born at Broulee
in 1859. Patrick and Elizabeth were married at
Broulee on the 3rd
of August 1878. Mum’s
family lived on a farm near Eungai Creek and
Yarahapany Mountain.
William, May, Thelma and Adelaide Brown
Mum had a happy childhood as part of a large
family, she loved riding horses and this saved
her several times from being one of the stolen
generations. Granny Brown would keep an eye
out for strange cars and when she saw one she
would send the kids into the bush to hide from
the welfare authorities. Mums adopted sisters
and brothers (first cousins) were Walter,
Elizabeth (Betty), Thomas Patrick died 18th
November 1980, Marguerite May born 1913 and
died 3rd
November 1985, Adelaide Myrtle,
Kathleen Grace, Thelma Josephine, William
Henry George and Edna Joyce.
Margaret Jane and Myrtle Roses’ brothers and
sisters were Annie, James, Jessie and Thomas.
Coastal Custodians 4
All are recorded as being born at Currawong
(Currawan Creek Aboriginal Reserve) and
baptised Church of England at Moruya on the
25th
of January 1903. Their father’s name was
John Dixon, born at Coolangatta on the 11th
of
March 1864 and their mother was Margaret
Brown. Margaret Brown’s father was Thomas
Golden Goulding Brown born at the Clyde River
in 1838 and died at Currawan on the 4th
of
February 1909. He married Annie Hannah
Nicholson at the Church of England Braidwood
on the 13th
of September 1858. Annie was born
at Kiora in 1844 and died at Tomakin on the 19th
of October 1883. Thomas Browns parents were
Jane Brown born 1817 near Braidwood and died
6th
of December 1908 at Bateman’s Bay and
Patrick Brown. Annie Nicholson’s parents were
Charles Nicholson, born United Kingdom and
Catherine an Aboriginal woman. They were
married at Moruya in 1835.
The Currawan Creek Aboriginal Reserve on the
Clyde River, near Shallow Crossing was in the
Parish of Currawan; County of St. Vincent with
an area of 60 acres was gazetted as AR 17546/7
on 15/4/1893 and marked as revoked on
9/5/1956. John Dixon’s father was William
Took Dixon born at Coolangatta in 1837 and
died at Coolangatta on the 5th
of June 1866.
John’s mother was Mary Ann Lyons born at
Shoalhaven in 1834 and died in Nowra on the 1st
of July 1920. William and Mary were married at
Coolangatta on the 27th
of July 1858. Mary
Lyons parents were William and Bridget Lyons.
When Dad met Mum she already had a child
Patricia (Patsy) Jean (Brown) born 1st October
1939 at Crown Street Hospital in Sydney.
Patsy’s father was Amos Donovan born at
Kempsey on the 31st of October 1923 and died in
August 1957 also at Kempsey. Amos’s mother
was Elizabeth Jane Chapman born 1891 at
Turlinjah. Elizabeth’s parents were James
Chapman born 20th
July 1866 at Mynora and
Rosa Bolloway born 1873 at Turlinjah. Rosa’s
father was Richard Bolloway born at Brou Lake
in 1831 and died at Moruya on the 17th
of
January 1886. Rosa’s mother was Louisa
Burrows born at Cullendulla in 1845 and died at
Batemans Bay on the 20th
of November 1924.
Her father was William Burrows. James’s father
was Henry Chapman II born 1847 who was the
son of Henry Chapman who died in 1853 and
Sally Gundary born 1826. James’s mother was
Lucy Ann Piety born 1846. Lucy and Richard
married at Broulee on the 26th
of May 1866.
Lucy’s parents were Richard Piety of Kent in
England and Jane (Jenny) (Sissy) Namble of
Broulee born 1823 and died 10th
of August 1896.
One of Jane’s parents was Nimebur (Tribal).
Amos’s father was Stephen Vincent Donovan
born 1885 at Nambucca River. Stephen’s parents
were William Donovan born 1855 and Bridget
Catherine Marshall born 1863. William had a
sister Charlotte born 1856. Their parents were
Timothy Donovan whose birthplace was Ireland
and Mary Ann an Aboriginal woman known to
be from Broulee by the name of Bulgan.
Lucy Ann Piety and Richard (Dick) Piety were
brother and sister. Therefore Dad and Amos
Donovan were related.
Mum and Dad met in Sydney. Dad was in the
Army and worked at an army supply depot
somewhere in Sydney during the Second World
War. He then got a job at the CSR sugar factory.
They were married in September in 1941. He
legally adopted Patsy. I was born two years after
they were married. Our brother John Ernest was
the next to be born on the 13th
of July 1945, next
came Peter James (Bandy) 5th
of April 1947. It
was around this time that the family visited
Granny Kate, Dad’s mother, at Campbelltown,
where she lived in an old shack in the bush. All I
remember was this really tall woman in a brown
dress. We went there specifically to show her
baby Bandy. Terry Francis was born 1st April
1948. We lived in Evans St Rozelle, Aunty
Thelma Brown lived in Storey Street and Aunty
Betty and Uncle George Kemp and his brother
Ted Kemp lived in Storey Street as well, near the
railway shunting yards. At age 5 the family
moved to Port Kembla. Fay Rose was born on
the 17th
August 1950 and Veronica Mary
(Bonnie) was born on the 6th
of May 1952, both
at Wollongong Hospital.
Neither Mum nor Dad had any formal schooling
for any great length of time due to racism. They
were both illiterate but taught themselves to read
from comics in the daily telegraph. They were
very intelligent people and soon learned to read
and write. They realised that their children
needed to be educated to get anywhere in life
and made sure that we attended school.
Dad’s favourite pastime was to read
Coastal Custodians 5
encyclopaedias.
In the Christmas of 1953, (I turned 11 just after)
we were living in Port Kembla. The family came
down to Moruya for a visit to see where Dad
came from. We travelled down from Port
Kembla in the back of Peter Brierley’s truck; his
wife Beryl was pregnant with their first child.
We stayed at Garland Town, Moruya with Dads
cousin, Roy Davis. After a short time living at
Garland Town, the family found work, picking
peas at Vic Macintosh’s farm, Moruya South
Heads. Dad knew Mr Macintosh from when they
were young boys. This was our first introduction
to the pea paddocks. We liked the area so much
that we stayed. Dad left a perfectly good job in
Port Kembla; he worked on the sanitary line and
garbage run. The air was so much healthier down
here. Our health improved away from the
pollution of the smoke stacks.
We then relocated to Nerrigundah, living in a
barn and working at ‘Thistle wood’ farm owned
by Commander Smith. When the bean season
came to an end, the other families went home to
Wreck Bay, South Nowra etc all around the
place, but we stayed and Dad got contracts
cutting sacoline, pulling corn, stripping
wattlebark at Reedy Creek and Keorbers Farm
which is about two miles up Eurobodalla Road
from the Dairy farm at Bodalla. We worked
cutting fence posts and building fences, Dad
would lay his hand to anything and we would
help after school. We fixed up an old house on
Commander Smith’s other farm at Reedy Creek
and lived there until about 1957. We all (except
for Patsy, who was older) went to Bodalla
School each day on old Mr Lavett’s mail bus. I
almost cut my finger off whilst piling up the
sacoline stalks on Richard’s dairy farm. That was
the best childhood living there. We had a
swimming hole just down the road. We learnt to
shoot and trap and do all other chores.
Patsy married John Ellis on the 15th
of February
1957 at a Registry Office, and they lived at
Croydon Park with his parents.
From the Nerrigundah area, the family moved to
Black Hill, on the north side of Coila Lake. We
used to swim in Coila Creek and jump off the
bridge. Brother John used to catch beakies
(Garfish) in the creek. The family would also
catch prawns in Coila Lake. I used to go fishing
off the whale rock at Bingie with Dad and we
would collect abalone. We lived here in an old
house that Dad ‘fixed up’, and worked at
Coopers Island picking seasonal vegetables. Dad
also trapped rabbits, selling the meat to the
butchers and the pelts to the leather tannery in
Hawdon Street Moruya, which is where we also
sold the wattlebark. The family lived here for
two years, before moving to Coopers Island
where they continued to work.
Patsy and John Ellis’s children are Patricia Ann,
Gladys Jean, Kerry Dianne, Shirley Ruth, Waine
Robert (Donovan), Margaret Joyce, John
Leonard, Gary Douglas. Patsy passed away on
the 10th
September 2002.
Mum with Patsy’s daughter Kerry
I married Peter Carriage in 1962, our children
are Peter John born 8th
September 1962 and
Cheryl Anne born 26th
September 1963. We
separated after five years. Our family worked in
the Moruya area picking for Vic Macintosh, Ted
Hunt, Brian Loutitt, Jimmy Turner and Ken
McKay.
In 1970 I began living with David Nye and
moved to Mogo in 1978, the day Dad passed
away. I read in a book that ‘Mogo’ means ‘stone
Coastal Custodians 6
axe’. Our children are Anthonette Margaret
(Dolly) Nye born 3rd
August 1971, Nadina (Nar)
Mary Nye born 10th
July 1972 and Davina
Cathrine (Kizzy) Nye born 22nd
January 1976.
I’m blessed with six grandchildren; Peter and
Lisa Krupa have Zac Andrew born 16th
September 1991, Cheryl and Douglas Carriage
have Stephen John Ernest born 17th
March 1982.
Cheryl married Brett Cullen and they have Adam
David born 31st May 1984, Brad Wayne David
born 31st October 1996 and Shennyn Rose born
June 24th
1998.
Kizzy had Riyan Andrew on the 3rd
of August
1993 at Moruya Hospital. Adam and Sarah
Cullen nee Bickley have given me a great
grandchild, Zac Tyler born 1st April 2005.
David Nye & Margaret Carriage
John married Rhonda Stewart; their children are
Anna Maree, Audra Margaret and Dannielle.
Bandy married Lillian Rose Nye, their children
are Richard Andrew, Rodney James, Anthony
Lee and James Peter. Both Anthony and James
were drowned at Kiora on January 16th
1981 at
ages 5 and 4. Bandy passed away on the 6th
February 1994.
Terry married Maureen Davis; their children are
Ursula Amelia, Craig Francis and Paul. They got
divorced and Terry married Elizabeth Anne
Dallas born 4th
April 1957. Their children are
Simon, Selina and Jae-anne.
Fay’s children are Malvena Rose, Walter James
and Michael. Then she married Keith Verrent;
their children are Julianne, Bobby Joe and David
Leigh. Fay passed away on the 24th
November
2005.
Bonnie married George Edward (Joe) Ralph,
their children are Jody Francis, Michelle Sandra,
Christopher Lee and Dale Andrew.
Margaret Carriage, Terry Connell and Ursula Rose
Connell (seated) at Terry and Liz’s wedding.
Living in Mogo, the family often swam in the
Buckenbowra River, at ‘The waterhole’. The
Buckenbowra flows into the Clyde River. Other
places used regularly by our family include the
Deua River, Shelly Beach, Dolphin Beach,
Bingie, Meringo, Potato Point, Coila Creek,
Broulee, Tomakin and Barlings Beach. I also
went to Yellow Rock, Broulee and to Tomakin
with David to lookout for fish.
In 1971, six of Ursula Rose Connell’s seven
children had a baby in the same year. The day
after five of the babies were christened, the
family gathered for a picnic at Broulee. We were
all fishing and the tide came in and cut the island
off from the mainland. My niece Shirley and
daughter Cheryl were meant to wait to be carried
through the gap. Dad was on his way to get
them, when they got washed out into Shark Bay.
Coastal Custodians 7
My sister in law, Lillian was washed out trying
to rescue them. That is when mum fainted. There
were babies everywhere. Brother Terry and Rod
Bowman both swam out to the girls, Rod taught
Cheryl to float, but they weren’t strong enough
swimmers to tow them back in against the tide.
They were pulled further out. We were totally
unaware of what happened till Trisha came
running over and said the kids are in the water
(meaning they had been washed out). David
dropped his diving bag, kicked off his flippers
and ran. He dived in and cut across the bay. He
took the girls off Terry and Rod who were
exhausted and started making for the shore with
them. He realised that Shirley wasn’t breathing
so gave her mouth-to-mouth while Cheryl
floated. He had to do this about three times. By
the time he got back to the shore he had to help
Terry and Rod onto the beach. Shirley had to be
sent to Canberra hospital by helicopter for a few
days. Rod, Terry and Lillian were also
hospitalised with exhaustion. I don’t think we
had lunch that day. Next day Cheryl was running
around like nothing had happened.
Pictured from left to right: Davina, Anthonette,
Nadina, Cheryl, Brett, Peter and Mr Cullen. Stephen
is in the middle.
Our family has always stuck together. Nieces
and nephews are like our sons and daughters,
and all the cousins are like brothers and sisters,
the ones who marry into our family have always
been treated as family as well.
The Connell family has a tradition of gathering
monthly, for a family picnic day. Each time we
would draw the name of a place out of a hat, and
go there the following month. We went to places
like Shelley Beach, Broulee, Nelligen and
Nerrigundah. If we went to Nerrigundah we
would camp for a few days. We also camped up
the Deua at Christmas time.
Connell’s Point is now called Mossy Point and
was named after my father’s family.
Mum met with her sister Malvena after nearly
fifty-five years, only to lose her to cancer on
May 17th
1988.
David and I had been together for over thirty-
three years. He developed diabetes, which
caused renal failure, and he passed away on the
8th
of January 2004.
We had the most wonderful childhood, loving
family and parents. My sisters and brothers are
still very good friends and their children as well.
Media Release Eurobodalla Shire Council
‘Stories about the Eurobodalla
by Aboriginal People’
The second stage of a major study of the
Eurobodalla’s Aboriginal heritage has been
released.
“Stories about the Eurobodalla by Aboriginal
People” was launched at Cobowra Local
Aboriginal Land Council last month. The
booklet is a collection of Aboriginal people’s
oral histories about places of cultural value
within the Eurobodalla Shire. Many of the places
documented relate to natural resource collection,
camping sites, seasonal picking, fishing and the
local saw mill industry.
Aboriginal elders with connections to the area
welcomed the opportunity to participate in the
project, which was coordinated by Moruya-based
anthropologist, Susan Donaldson, working
closely with the Knowledge Holders and
Aboriginal families.
Coastal Custodians 8
Chairperson of Cobowra Local Aboriginal Lands
Council, Trisha Ellis, says that the completion of
“Stories…” is just the beginning of the journey
of documenting the Aboriginal history of the
Eurobodalla and recognising the significant
contribution that Aboriginal families have made
to the growth of this area. “It has been a long
time coming and Sue has done a magnificent
job.” Ms Ellis added that while a large number
of Aboriginal families contributed to this report,
unfortunately some were missed and to counter
this, funding will be sought to regularly update
and add to this study. “Stories about the
Eurobodalla by Aboriginal People” was
completed with support and funding from the
Eurobodalla Aboriginal Heritage Committee,
Eurobodalla Shire Council, Department of
Environment and Conservation, and the Southern
Rivers Catchment Management Authority.
The Eurobodalla Aboriginal Heritage Committee
has also been responsible for
producing three other important resources: the
‘Aboriginal Sites and History of the
Eurobodalla’ study; the ‘Aboriginal
Communities Environmental Services Booklet
2006’; and the ‘Aboriginal Heritage in the
Eurobodalla’ brochure.
The brochures are being distributed to enhance
awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal
cultural heritage in the Eurobodalla Shire.
Importantly, they also provide land developers
with a reference for Development Application
processes involving Aboriginal cultural heritage.
The brochures and booklets are available free of
charge at local libraries, Aboriginal Land
Councils and can be viewed on Council’s
website:
http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/AboriginalHeritageSt
udy/aboriginalHeritage.html
Stage 3 of the Eurobodalla Aboriginal Heritage
Study will soon be under way. This component
entails the amalgamation of the archival research
(Stage1) and the oral history collation (Stage 2).
Further research and ultimately the ability to
incorporate information in the Council planning
processes is to be conducted and is a Stage 4
outcome of the project.
Media contact: Ph 4474 1375
Ron Nye, Aboriginal Heritage Officer
Mimosa Rocks
National Park
review of the
Plan of Management.
Many of you would know the section of
coastline from the Bega River north to Goalen
Head, and the country going back to Dr George
Mountain, all land that is now within the
Mimosa Rocks National Park.
A plan that guides the management of most of
this land was prepared in the early 1990s, and we
feel it is now time to review and update it.
The park is very popular both with local
residents and visitors to the area, so much of the
management effort over recent years has
focussed on providing for their needs while
protecting the land from the impacts of a lot of
people. This focus will continue and we will be
looking for management solutions that protect
natural and cultural values while still enabling
people to use and relate to the park.
Some of the issues that we want to address in the
review of the management plan are:
• what values are important in this landscape,
and how should they best be protected,
including how we can better protect items of
importance to Aboriginal people
• how people can get where they want to go
(the access system of roads, carparks,
stairways and walking tracks)
• what facilities for day and overnight use
should be provided (picnic and camping
areas)
• how we control non-native plants and
animals in the park
• how can we better protect some rare birds
and animals that live in the park
• how some recent additions at Goalen Head
should be managed
• directions for Aboriginal camping
Coastal Custodians 9
• opportunities for a joint management
approach with Aboriginal communities
• the future management of the Penders and
Nelsons leased areas
The review of the plan will take place over the
next few months. During this time, there will be
an opportunity for public input during an open
day and community meetings. When the new
plan has been written, it will be put on public
exhibition for people to read and comment on.
We will then look at all the comments from the
public and from organisations, and decide
whether more changes need to be made to the
plan. When we are satisfied, it will go to the
Minister for Environment Bob Debus for
endorsement. The revised plan will then guide
how we manage the park into the next ten years.
Think about and discuss the issues among
yourselves. You can talk to the planner writing
the plan by ringing Sam Rando on 44760859.
Keep an eye out for when draft plan is put out
for comment, take the time to read it, and talk to
us or people on the advisory committee and tell
us your thoughts.
Preston Cope
Central Area Manager
Narooma
Muuji Regional Centre for Social and
Emotional Wellbeing
Muuji Regional Centre for Social and Emotional
Wellbeing (SEWB) was established in 2000 as a
result of the (Bring Them Home report).
Muuji is one of a network of regional training
centre’s that have been established across
Australia to promote good practice with a focus
on developing, delivering & coordinating
innovating activity including training and
professional development. Strengthening the
networks of the SEWB workforce is fundamental
to effective delivery of services to the
community.
Muuji Goal: Build and continually reinforce a
culture of learning and community support, the
strategic objective of the Muuji partnership is a
skilled workforce responding to the needs of
Aboriginal peoples and communities in the three
areas in which the health services operate in
NSW and ACT.
Muuji Aims to
• Identify, broker, coordinate and evaluate
professional development and supports,
including training for the social emotional &
wellbeing workforce.
• Strengthen networks of health workers and
service providers.
• Develop and strengthen linkages and
partnerships with other agencies and training
service providers.
• Remain responsive to community needs.
• Develop information systems that identify
the level of social emotional and wellbeing in
the region.
Muuji is part of a consortium of 3 Aboriginal
Community Controlled Health and Medical
Services.
1. Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health
Service (Canberra)
2. Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal
Corporation Service (Wagga Wagga)
3. Katungul Aboriginal Corporation and
Community Medical Service (Narooma)
I have been in this position for 6 years, and I am
based in Katungul Narooma.
Annette Millbank
Aboriginal Project Officer
Muuji Regional Centre
Narooma
02 4476 2155
E-Mail: [email protected]
Coastal Custodians 10
EUROBODALLA NAIDOC
Awards 2006
The 2006 Eurobodalla NAIDOC Awards which
were held at the Moruya Golf Club on 12 August
were hailed a success and a good time was had
by all. The function included a variety of awards
aimed at recognising the achievements of
individuals, groups and organisations within the
Eurobodalla Shire. The theme for the event was
respect the past, believe in the future and the
wide cross section of invited guests and people
in attendance certainly portrayed this. Local
Elder Aunty Beryl Brierley provided a heart
warming welcome to country and officially
opened the NAIDOC awards and was followed
by an inspiring performance from young Jordan
Duroux on the didgeridoo and the local
Googannyarla dancers, Alinta Parsons, Kristi
Brunhuber and Natasha Brunhuber.
Aunty Beryl Brierley and Aunty Simm Nye
A number of nominations were received for each
category with the following people being
selected:
Male Youth Ron (RJ) Nye Junior)
Female Youth Naomi Reynolds
Male Sportsperson Charles Nye
Female Sportsperson Bree Moreton
Employee of the Year Norman Parsons
CoordinatorCobowra
LALC
Trainee of the Year Kristy Nye
Achievement Award Debbie Moreton
Narrama Multi Services
Award for service to the community
Norman Parsons Organisation Award Cobowra CDEP
Jordon Duroux played the didge
Individual community awards were presented to
the following people:
Male Elder B.Bay Tom Slockee
Female Elder Mogo Aunty Sym Nye
Female Elder Moruya Linda Cruse
Female Elder Bodalla Hazel Moreton
Female Role Model Moruya Ursula Brown
Female Role Model Bodalla Mary Mongta
Male Role Model B.Bay Robert (Bobby)
Slockee
Male Role Model Moruya Rhys Holmes
Lana Callaghan and Norman Parsons
The major award for the evening was the 2006
NAIDOC Award for Excellence and the
selection panel agreed unanimously that the
recipients of this award should be the members
of the Negotiation Panel for the Gulaga-
Biamanga Hand Back, Trish Ellis who
coordinated the process, accepted the award on
behalf of the Negotiation Panel which was made
Coastal Custodians 11
up of; Violet Parsons, Donna Brennan (Dec)
(Batemans Bay), Mary Duroux , Dave Tout
(Moruya), Lionel Mongta, John Mumbler
(Bodalla), Vivienne Mason, Keith Stewart
(Narooma), Pam Flanders, Anne Thomas
(Wallaga) Kathy Jones, John Dixon (Bega),
Mervyn Penrith, BJ Cruse (Eden). Glenys Kelly,
Noeline Leha and Davis Dixon representing the
Wagonga, Merrimans and Bega LALC’s.
Margaret Morris, Lindsey Parsons and Norma Parsons
Cobowra CDEP, Indigenous Employment
Centre (IEC) and New Careers for Aboriginal
People (NCAP) Programmes also took
advantage of an opportunity to showcase some
of the achievements of CDEP Participants during
the 2005/06 period and presented a variety of
awards which included;
Rena and Pam Flanders
Encouragement Award - Lindsay Brierley
who has moved into fulltime employment
IEC Male Client – Damien Reginato who after
a lot of perseverance will finally achieve his goal
of joining the NSW Police Service
IEC Female Client – Linda McCarron –
who’s praises from her employer included
Linda’s reputation for the sour dough that she
makes on site at Suzanne’s Coffee Shop in Mogo
NCAP Male Client – Ricky Roberts – who
moved from a part time CDEP Placement into
fulltime work with Narrama Multi Services and
continues to work with elders within the
Eurobodalla Shire
NCAP Female Client – Kristy Nye – who
moved into a traineeship with Narrama Multi
Services and eagerly participates in any training
that will enhance her career prospects
CDEP Employee/Participant of the Year –
Martin Wighton – who made the move from
Batemans Bay to Sydney to take up a fulltime
job and from all reports is doing well and
enjoying the big smoke.
Rose Haigh and Cheryl Moreton
Event organisers Norman Parsons, Christine Lee,
Angela Nye, Pat Russell and Lana Callaghan all
agree that, although organising an event this size
is time consuming, that it was all-worthwhile and
they are looking forward to next year’s awards.
They would like to thank the following sponsors
who made the night possible; Queanbeyan ICC,
Cobowra LALC, Batemans Bay LALC, Mogo
LALC, South Eastern Aboriginal Regional
Management Services (SEARMS), Cobowra
CDEP, Department of Aboriginal Affairs and
Department of Environment & Conservation.
Lillian Connell, Tony and Ursula Brown
Coastal Custodians 12
Aboriginal Female Cadet Ranger
Open Day
PURPOSE: Position will soon be advertised for an Aboriginal
Female Cadet Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife
Service, based at Narooma. The open day has been organised to
allow Aboriginal applicants to attend and find out what the
positions are about and how to apply.
WHO: Any young people who are in Year 12 (this
year) or any mature age person (over 21) and are
interested in becoming a Ranger.
WHERE: TBA.
DATE: 15th
November, 2006
TIME: TBA.
Morning Tea and a light lunch will be provided.
RSVP: Please contact Gary Ting on 02 9585 6823 or email
[email protected] if you are interested in
attending.
Please spread the word of this open day to
community members that meet the criteria.
Coastal Custodians 13
Aboriginal
& Torres Strait Islander
War Veterans
I recently joined the Department of Veterans'
Affairs (DVA) as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Veterans policy/liaison officer and have
been given the task of implementing a number of
recommendations of DVAs’ 2006 Indigenous
Veterans Strategy. Some of these
recommendations are to compile a list of
Indigenous veterans from around the country and
then ensure that those veterans are aware of
DVAs’ support services and financial and health
benefits.
This project is not going to be any easy feat
given that our people were not permitted to join
the forces during WW 1 & 2 (this ruling was
eased up during WW 2 due to shortage of
manpower) and many used a loophole to get
around this ruling by enlisting under the alias of
another culture, Maori, Indian, etc. Because there
was no requirement to identify their culture at
time of recruitment, all war and campaign lists
do not identify Indigenous serviceman and
women.
My dilemma is coming up with a strategy to
identify our elder veterans from WW2 through to
the Vietnam conflict. In due course I'll use the
media (print, radio, TV) and brochures etc. but
as an interim solution thought network contacts
might be a good way to start off the process. The
intent of the project is to identify as many
Indigenous veterans as possible and then ensure
that they are receiving their entitled financial and
health benefits from DVA or other support
agencies.
There will be number of barriers along the way.
Our elder veterans were treated abysmally when
they returned from active service and basically
told to go back to where they come from and
don't bother to seek any help from the
government. I understand there will be a big
reluctance from a number of our veterans to have
any association with government bodies because
of these past events.
Through your extensive network and contacts,
could you possibly get a message out to our elder
veterans, their dependants and families that DVA
is looking to make contact with them to ensure
that they are aware of and, where an entitlement
exists, payment of DVA financial and health
benefits. Could you let them know that they can
either ring me on (02) 6289 6205 to have yarn or
133 254 (Australia wide) to be put in contact
with their nearest DVA State Office, or free call
1800 555 254 for country callers, which also
connects to the nearest DVA State Office or they
can contact their nearest Indigenous coordination
Centre. If they ring the DVA numbers they
should ask to be put through to the Indigenous
Service Delivery Officer who will provide them
with all the assistance they need.
The Indigenous vets list will have a twofold
effect. It will provide a comprehensive list of
known veterans (living or deceased) and it will
also ensure that those veterans get the
recognition that they deserve for the service and
sacrifice they made in defence of their country.
Any suggestions of how I can get a wider
circulation of this message out to the vets will be
very much appreciated. I need to go out to the
mob in VIC, SA, WA, NT and TAS - do you
have any connections in these states/territory.
Thanks for your help!
Regards,
Robert (Bob) Noble
Policy Officer
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Veterans
Income Support and Residential Aged Care
Department of Veterans' Affairs
CANBERRA ACT
email [email protected]
Phone: (02) 6289 6205
Fax: (02) 6289 4854
Footnote:
Bob Noble – This is not Bob’s birth name. He
was adopted out and given this name by his
white adoptive parents. He was born John
Gallaher and his mother and grandfather are
from up Cherbourg and Cooran, Qld way. He is
related to the Stewarts.
Coastal Custodians 14
Broulee Primary School
News
Kids Earth Fund Project At Broulee Primary
School
Class - 2/3B students were among 360 NSW
schoolchildren who painted pictures of threatened
plant and animal species.
The project titled Our Habitat Through Children's
Eyes, was aimed at educating people about the
fragility of nature.
The project was run by the Kids Earth Fund, which
believes children can broaden their understanding of
the world – and feel freer to express themselves –
through the medium of art. The result is a strong
ecological message through the unique vision of
children.
We had special guests visit our class in preparation
for the project. They included Bernadette Davis
from the Eurobodalla Shire Council who talked
about Threatened species in the local area and what
we can do as a community to help to protect them.
Bernadette also talked to us about her experiences
while travelling through Peru in her youth. This was
most interesting as we wanted to study Peru so we
would know a bit about where our paintings were
going to.
Another visitor to our class was Mr David Costello
from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Merimbula Office. David also talked to us
about threatened species and brought in some
wonderful examples. He showed us a powerpoint
presentation of the programs operating in the local
area for the recovery of these animals, we listened to
a CD of animal calls and he supplied us with posters,
bookmarks and stickers etc for the celebration of
National Threatened Species Day on the 7th
September.
Another visitor was Mr Jeff Ward, the Principal of
our school who is a trained Visual Arts teacher. Mr
Ward gave us painting tips and advised us how to go
about painting our pictures which were actually
painted on real canvasses. We also studied different
artists, looking at their styles and use of colour. We
were so excited about being involved in this project
and wanted to make sure we did a good job.
There was a panel of judges, which included artist
Jennifer Keeler-Milne. The artworks included
paintings of Phascogales, Koalas, Southern Right
Whales, Australian Fur Seals, Grey Headed Flying
Foxes, Barking Owls, Pygmy Possums, Bandicoots,
Spotted Quolls and more.
The judges selected 100 paintings to be sewn into a
mural that will travel to Peru next year. But before
the mural goes to Peru next year it will first travel to
the schools which participated so the students can see
the final product.
The children had to research the animal they chose to
paint and write some interesting information to go
with it. These pieces of information will be translated
into Spanish and go with the mural to Peru so the
children there can learn about our Threatened
Species.
The latest news from the Kids Earth Fund is that the
mural is now being sewn together and 2/3B were
lucky enough to have 15 of their paintings chosen to
be a part of it. They are also making a calendar for
2007 and we have had 3 paintings chosen for it. We
believe they are also printing cards and using some of
the paintings on those.
So, all of us in 2/3B are pretty proud of our efforts
and would just like to thank Mr Ward, Bernadette
Davis, David Costello and Trish Ellis who helped us
along the way.
Kerry Boyenga 2/3B Teacher
The Little Tern by Abbie Harrison
The Grey Headed Flying Fox by Samantha Law
Coastal Custodians 15
Learning more about
Threatened Species
The Department of Environment and Conservation is
organising to meet with local Koori people to share
thoughts on how we can best learn about and care for
two threatened species surviving in our region, the
Koala and the Long-nosed Potoroo.
The main focus of this initiative will be a workshop
that will seek to inform, listen to and document the
views of local Kooris about these animals.
The workshop will take place at Umbarra on Monday
4th December, starting at 9:30 am.
Lyn Thomas and Chris Allen are organising the
workshop. Their contact information is at the end of
this article.
Lyn said that Aboriginal elders had told her that
women with close links with Gulaga had a special
role in caring for potoroos and their environment,
including looking after plants that they fed on.
“Before Europeans came there used to be lots of
potoroos on Gulaga and we know they still surviving
there”, she said.
“We want to record Aboriginal stories about potoroos
and do what we can to bring their numbers back.
Now that Gulaga Mountain has been handed back to
Aboriginal people it will be easier for us to do this.”
Chris said that consultation with the Koori community about koalas was important for two reasons. “The first is that koalas are known to be breeding in and near to the Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks. Because of this, the Board of Management for these parks, together with the wider Koori community, has a vital role to play in looking after these populations.”
“Secondly, the Koala is culturally important for some South Coast Aboriginal communities. According to documented creation stories it was responsible for bringing the spirit ancestors from islands in the north west to Australia. It also appears to be a significant ancestor in terms of its role as a wise elder and philosopher.”
For further information please contact: Chris Allen or Lyn Thomas 64955008
KOORI PEOPLE
ARE WARMLY INVITED TO A
WORKSHOP ABOUT TWO
THREATENED SPECIES
Listening informing & recording
information from local Kooris
Koala
Long-nosed Potoroo
Where Umburra
When Monday 4th December
Time 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
Lunch Barbeque provided
DO COME ALONG: WE WOULD LOVE
TO SEE YOU THERE For further information contact
Lyn Thomas and/or Chris Allen 64955008
THREATENED
SPECIES
RECOVERY
PROJECT
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
PO BOX 656 MERIMBULA 2548
Coastal Custodians 16
Letters to the Editor - continued
Coastal Custodians 17
Coastal Custodians 18
MARRAMBUL MALI MEETING
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum
This FREE forum is coming to your area on:
DATE: Tuesday 14th
November 2006
VENUE: SERTEC, 163 Auckland Street, Bega
DATE: Wednesday 15th
November 2006
VENUE: Motel Luhana, 182 Princes Highway, Moruya
Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea will be provided
DO YOU HAVE QUESTION’S ??
The do it right project is a government partnership initiative run
By Our People for Our People
These Governments Departments include:
Work Cover Authority NSW
Office of Fair Trading
Australian Tax Office
NSW Anti-Discrimination
Legal Aid Commission
Other invited guests Banking & Financial Services Ombudsman, Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman
The do it right project will answer your questions and provide information about
your rights and responsibilities as Workers, Business owners and operators,
Community organizations and other interested persons.
For further information please call: Brad Anderson or
Kristy Narkle on (02) 4254 3433
Coastal Custodians 19
2006 NSW
Aboriginal Men’s Sharing and
Learning Circle
The Central Coast & Western Sydney Aboriginal Men’s Groups will host the 2006 NSW
Aboriginal Men’s sharing and learning circle at Camp Wollombi during November 26-29,
2006.
Aboriginal men from throughout NSW are invited to attend and participate in this vitally
important event that will consider many of the issues and challenges confronting today’s
Aboriginal societies.
Key issues and challenges will include: Building Healthier Aboriginal
Communities; Co-responsibility, Sharing the load with Aboriginal women;
Aboriginal men and the Justice System, Responding to Aboriginal Men’s
Health and Wellbeing needs; Listening to the Voices of the Elders and Youth,
and Domestic and Family Violence and Abuse.
The organisers of the sharing and learning circle wish to stress that the event will be drug
and alcohol free and the intention is that it will be more than a talk – fest. Rather the
sharing and learning circle is structured to allow Aboriginal men to honestly and openly
identify the issues and challenges existing in Aboriginal communities but more
importantly, to discuss how these issues and challenges can be better addressed.
A major feature of the sharing and learning circle will involve a panel discussion by
Indigenous men from Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Members of the panel will share
experiences and knowledge of the journey of Indigenous men in their respective countries
and communities.
Due to the nature of the venue the sharing and learning circle is limited to 150 delegates
(camping accommodation). Aboriginal men and/or organisations wishing to receive
detailed information and who would like to discuss registration and other related matters
should contact:
Mr Mick Pittman, ([email protected])
Mr. Keith Hall, 0423-792451 ([email protected])
Mr. Clarke Scott, 0413-005324 ([email protected])
Dr Bob Morgan (Facilitator), 0418-419326 ([email protected])
Coastal Custodians 20
Calendar of Events
November
Monday 13th
Clean Energy for
Eternity Public
Meeting Moruya
Tuesday 14th
Marrambul Mali
Meeting Bega
Wednesday 15th
Marrambul Mali
Meeting Moruya
Wednesday 15th
Aboriginal Female
Cadet Ranger Open
Day
December
Monday 4th
Threatened Species
Workshop Umbarra
26th
– 29th
2006 NSW Aboriginal
Men’s Sharing and
Learning Circle
Subscription details
Please fill in the following details to
receive your copy of future quarterly
newsletters and forward them to:
Trisha Ellis
Joint Management Coordinator
Parks Service Division
Department of Environment &
Conservation
PO Box 282 Narooma NSW 2546
Telephone: 02 44760846
Facsimile: 02 44761793
Mobile: 04 28660432
Email: [email protected]
Name: ___________________________
Address:
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
Postcode: _________ State: _________
Telephone:______________________
Facsimile:_______________________
Mobile:_________________________
Note: Photocopies of back issues available on
request or visit the website on:
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/conte
nt/coastal_custodian_newsletter