coastal custodians - Department of Environment and Climate Change

COASTAL CUSTODIANS
Volume 1, Issue 9 August 2002
Introducing: Lynne Thomas,
Trainee Field Officer
Lynne Thomas started with the National Parks &
Wildlife Service as a Trainee Field Officer in April
of this year. She is extremely proud to be a Black
Duck woman (Yuin) of the Far South Coast.
Prior to her employment with NPWS Lynne
worked as an Aboriginal Education Assistant with
St Joseph’s Catholic School, Eden Primary School
and Eden High School as well as a Tour Guide for
Umbarra Culture Tours.
Lynne is in her third year of teacher training with
two years to go for her Bachelor of Education. In
addition, she has taken on study for a Bachelor of
Science at Stuart University Albury/Wadonga
with an aim of becoming a Ranger. Lynne has
recently attained a certificate in Maritime
Operations, other certificates include Tourism,
Tourism & Small Business Operation &
Aboriginal Discovery Tour Guide.
In her current position Lynne’s duties include
routine maintenance on parks and park roads,
community consultation, negotiation of
interpretation signage.
Lynne’s spare time activities include bushwalking,
gardening, and astrology, fishing, spending time
with her family and friends. Lynne also enjoys
putting together educational books on Aboriginal
language & culture. She is creating her own
programs to focus on cultural teaching for young
kids. Lynne is also well known as an accomplished
artist.
Her wish for the local Aboriginal community is
that; our people work together more and support
each other in an united effort. “We need to keep
teaching our culture, look after our elders and
young ones”. She misses the times when there
were more elders actively passing on knowledge
and stories around the campfire.
Lynne is always happy to make herself available
for anything to do with kids and culture. She is an
extremely pleasant person, always got a smile and a
happy nature. Loves people, loves life and loves
being. She is a real joy to be around.
Inside this issue
Introducing: Lynne Thomas 1
Editors & Our Readers Comments 2
Department of Aboriginal Affairs 3-4
Office of the Registrar update 5
Regional Managers Report 5-7
Southern Aboriginal Heritage Unit 7-8
Mumbulla Mountain Ablaze 8-9
ATSIC Elections 9-10
Mountain Brushtail Possum Project 10
Find-a-word 11
NAIDOC 12-15
Celebrating Mountains 2002 16
Probation & Parole Service update 17
Eurobodalla Aboriginal Art Exhibition 18
Djuwin Women’s Lore Council 19
Find-a-word answers 20
Calendar of Events 20
Coastal Custodians 1

Our Readers
Comments
Dear Trisha,
Just received copies of the Coastal Custodian
you sent me. They are highly professional and a
great read. Thank you for sending them.
Glen Storrie Coffs Coast Area Manager12/6/02
Editors Comments
This edition of the Coastal Custodian
has a strong focus on NAIDOC Week
activities throughout the Far South
Coast. I have been asked on many
occasions “what does NAIDOC stand
for”? I will attempt to clarify.
The idea for NAIDOC Week was born in
the 1920’s. The Australian Aborigines
Progressive Association, (AAPA) lead by
Fred Maynard, was formed in Sydney in
1924. This group tried to raise
awareness of the plight of Aboriginal
people but due to constant police
harassment folded in 1927.
Another man named William Cooper
formed the Australian Aborigines
League in 1932 and in 1935 he led a
delegation to petition the Federal
Minister for the Interior for
representation in Parliament for
Aboriginal people. This was ignored and
so was the 1937 petition to King George
V. On November 13 of the same year
Cooper called for a National Day of
Mourning to be observed on Australia
Day 26 th January 1938. William Cooper
and William Ferguson (founder of the
Aborigines Progressive Association)
planned the first Day of Mourning. This
day marked the 150 th anniversary of the
landing of the First Fleet.
On January 31, 1939 William Cooper
sought assistance from the National
Missionary Council of Australia (NMCA)
to promote a Day of Mourning. In
January 1940, the Sunday before
Australia Day became the first Day of
Mourning or Aboriginal Sunday. In
1955 the NMCA suggested that
Aborigines Day become a National Day.
Aborigines Day was changed to the first
Sunday in July.
The National Aborigines Day
Observance Committee (NADOC) was
formed in 1957. In the same year
Aboriginal Pastor, Sir Douglas Nicholls
had the NMCA change the day of
remembrance to the second Sunday in
July.
In 1972 the Federal Council for the
Advancement of Aborigines and Torres
Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) decided that
July 14 1972 would be the day for a
massive national protest. Aboriginal and
non-Aboriginal people all over Australia
took part in the marches to show their
support.
In 1984, the national NADOC
committee called for the Federal
Government to declare National
Aborigines Day as a national public
holiday for all. ATSIC and many other
organisations have also asked the
Government to adopt this suggestion.
In 1991 NADOC became NAIDOC to
include Torres Strait Islanders, some
have taken offence at the use of the
term “Islander” without Torres Stait to
identify which islands. This then
created NATSI (National Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander) Day, which
subsequently caused more problems
when it was at times referred to as Nazi
week. NAIDOC is the accepted term at
the moment and stands for National
Aboriginal (and Torres Strait) Islander
Day of Celebration.
Resource: ATSIC Public Affairs Office.
http://www.abc.net.au/naidoc/2001/features/
history.htm
Patricia Ellis
2

ABORIGINAL OWNERSHIP OF BIAMANGA AND GULAGA NATIONAL PARKS
Throughout 2002, the Department of Aboriginal
Affairs has been working with Aboriginal people
on the south coast of NSW to appoint a
negotiating panel to negotiate with the Minister
for the Environment and Local Aboriginal Land
Councils about the return of Biamanga and
Gulaga National Parks to Aboriginal ownership.
What is the negotiating panel?
The negotiating panel represents all Aboriginal
people who have a cultural association with
Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks during the
negotiations.
Margaret Dixon, Sam Nolan (DAA) and Mary Duroux
When Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks are
returned to Aboriginal ownership, the land will
be held by the Local Aboriginal Land Council(s)
on behalf of Aboriginal owners and leased back
to the government. The negotiations are about
the terms of the lease to the government.
Who can sit on the negotiating panel?
The people who are on the negotiating panel
must be Aboriginal people, chosen by people
who have a cultural association with Biamanga
and Gulaga National Parks, to represent them.
What has happened so far?
The Department of Aboriginal Affairs held a
meeting on 12 February 2002 at Umbarra
Cultural Centre to explain its policy for
appointing people to the negotiating panel.
At that meeting, it was decided that a series of
small meetings would be held to help people to
choose representatives from within their own
community to sit on the panel.
Buddy Campbell, Pam Flanders, Eddie Foster and Michael Darcy
In April 2002, the Department held community
meetings at Batemans Bay, Nowra, Eden, Bega,
Queanbeyan and Wallaga Lake. A list of
nominees for the negotiating panel has been
drawn up from those meetings.
Dave Tout, John Mumbler, Lenore Fraser (NPWS) Vivienne Mason, Ron
Mason and Preston Cope (NPWS)
The Department organised a meeting for 28 May
2002 to endorse the list of nominees that came
out of the community meetings. That meeting
was postponed because of a funeral.
3

Eric Naylor the chef, Cecil Stewart, Mary Duroux and Tim Shepherd
(NPWS)
The Department organised another meeting for
24 June 2002 to seek endorsement of the
representatives for the negotiating panel.
The people at that meeting endorsed the
proposed representatives, subject to the
Department confirming the representatives for
Wallaga Lake, Bega and Batemans Bay, with the
relevant Local Aboriginal Land Councils.
The next step
Once the Department of Aboriginal Affairs
receives confirmation of the representatives for
Wallaga Lake, Bega and Batemans Bay, it will
recommend to the Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs that he appoint the representatives to the
negotiating panel.
Once the panel has been appointed, the
Department of Aboriginal Affairs will organise a
workshop for the panel members to begin
preparing for negotiations.
Glenda Dixon, Cathy Jones, Lionel Mongta, Mary Mongta and Martha
Tungai
Contacts
If you have any questions about the appointment of the negotiating panel, please contact Sam Nolan at
the Department of Aboriginal Affairs on (02) 9290 8749.
Other people you may need to contact about the return of Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks to
Aboriginal ownership are:
Office of the Registrar, Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983
Steve Wright
Registrar
(02) 9290 8742
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Tim Shepherd
Regional Manager
Far South Coast Region
(02) 6495 5001
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
Steve Kuhn
Legal Officer
(02) 9689 4436
Rachel Lenehan
Research Officer
(02) 9290 8746
Preston Cope
Area Manager
Central Area
(02) 4476 0828
Ossie Cruse
Councillor
Far South Coast Region
0418 441 366
Adam Black
Research Officer
(02) 9290 8748
Trisha Ellis
Aboriginal Project Officer
Far South Coast Region
(02) 4476 0846
Betty Thoms
Administration Officer
(02) 9689 4429
4

OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983
Level 5 – 83 Clarence Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Ph (02) 9290 8700 Fax (02) 9290 8704
Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks:
Register of Aboriginal Owners Update… work is continuing!
As many people may know, the register of Aboriginal Owners does not close. People can apply to be
registered as Aboriginal Owners at anytime.
It is paramount to the joint management process that the Registrar determines applications as quickly as
possible. Current applications people have submitted to the Registrar’s Office are being considered at the
moment.
Further research is being conducted by Nic Peterson, Brian Egloff and Sue Wesson to help the registrar with
individual people’s genealogies and applications.
It is important to remember that to be appointed to the Board of Management of these lands individuals
need to be registered Aboriginal Owners. Before an application can be determined the Registrar needs to be
able to establish the following for each individual;
a. direct descent from the original Aboriginal inhabitants of the cultural area in which the land is
situated, and
b. cultural association with the land that derives from the traditions, observances, customs, beliefs
or history of the original Aboriginal inhabitants of the land, and
c. consent to the entry of their name in the register,
Both Rachel Lenehan and Adam Black are happy to discuss the register of Aboriginal Owners with you.
Please do not hesitate to call either of them on 02 9290 8748.
Regional Managers Report
I am filling in for Tim Shepherd as Regional
Manager while Tim is doing a project in Head
Office and taking some much needed leave – he
will be away for a total of 7 weeks until early
October. (Perhaps I should have called this “not
the Regional Managers Report”!) My normal job
is based in Queanbeyan as Operations
Coordinator where I mainly deal with the fire
and pest programs across southern NSW.
Staff have told me about the big effort that is
going into improving signage in NPWS areas
across the region. Up to 90 of our information
signs in the southern end of the region are being
replaced at the moment and will incorporate
strong messages to encourage visitors to respect
and appreciate the cultural context of the areas.
Locations include Pipers Lookout, Mount Imlay
and Eurobodalla National Park. We have had
some great help from the local land councils who
are also keen to incorporate photos of local
community members on the signs.
5

At Pambula River, works to reduce the impact of
walkers on the northern bank are almost
complete including providing viewing platforms
to protect midden sites.
The NPWS has recently sponsored staff from the
Umbarra and Jigamy Farm Cultural Tours to
attend an Interpretation Australia Association
training workshop at Iga Warta in the Flinders
Ranges of South Australia. The workshop is
expected to attract Aboriginal people from all
over the country to share their stories,
experiences and exchange ideas and ways of
presenting their own culture to visitors. Eric
Naylor from Umbarra Cultural Tours at Wallaga
Lake, and Merv Clarke from Jigamy Farm
Cultural Tours near Eden, will be travelling to
South Australia during the week 22-28
September to attend the workshop. Local
Aboriginal people from the Flinders Ranges will
host the workshop, and take participants on their
own cultural tours. Tim Shepherd, Regional
Manager for the NPWS in Merimbula, said that
he was ‘keen to support local Aboriginal
community members to attend the workshop so
that they may share their knowledge and
continue to improve and promote their own
commercial tourism operations. Visitors coming
into the area are very keen to experience local
Aboriginal culture, especially when it is
presented by Aboriginal people, and the NPWS
is happy to be able to work with communities to
help develop these enterprises’.
Aboriginal Project Officer Trisha Ellis is
working with a group of local Aboriginal Elders
from the Moruya area to develop interpretation
signs for the Hanging Mountain Lookout in Deua
National Park. The site has recently been
transferred to the NPWS as part of the Southern
Regional Forest Agreement and, according to
NPWS Ranger, Lucy Gibson, ‘the Service is
keen to upgrade the site and present some of the
Aboriginal Cultural values to visitors’. This site
will be part of an expanded network of places,
which present elements of Aboriginal culture
across the landscape. The aim is to eventually
offer a self guided driving tour across the region
which links sites which present Aboriginal
cultural heritage with the commercial tourism
operations at Umbarra and Jigamy farm and any
other commercial cultural tourism operations.
The stories at the Hanging Mountain sited will
promote an Aboriginal view of the landscape
looking out towards Gulaga, Buranguba and
Mumbulla Mountain, and the previous use of the
site as a fire beacon, when Aboriginal people
used fire to communicate their travels across the
landscape. The site also has a small stand of the
Grass Trees (Xanthorreas) which will tell another
part of the fire story in the way that parts of the
plant are used by Aboriginal people for fire
starting and heating the resins contained within
the trunks. The signs are being produced by a
contractor in Canberra in conjunction with the
local Aboriginal elders Pat Ellis, Mary Duroux
and Dave Tout and should be installed into a new
lookout planned for the site by the end of the
year.
In Monga National Park we are continuing the
planning of some new visitor facilities at the top
of the Clyde Mountain. The first draft of the
cultural heritage study is nearly complete. The
works will include developing a walking trail
network and bridging some creeks to prevent
vehicles damaging the creek beds.
The region recently held an Aboriginal site
identification and management course at Edrom.
The course was run by Phil Boot, Graham
Moore, Danielle Towers and Rod Wellington
and members of the Eden, Bega and Wollongong
land councils attended as well as NPWS staff
from Queanbeyan, Narooma and Merimbula.
The course highlighted legislative
responsibilities as well as the identification,
recording and management of sites.
The fire season is upon us and with conditions as
dry as they have been it could be a difficult time.
We have already had fires that have taken a great
deal of effort to put out. Luckily the weather
conditions have been relatively calm but access
has been difficult and we have had to use
helicopters to winch crews into some fires.
A meeting was recently held at the Bermagui
Country Club with Aboriginal people interested
in the NPWS plans for the recently acquired
lands at Goalen Head, which now forms part of
Mimosa Rocks National Park. The NPWS Area
Manager,
6

Preston Cope called the meeting to discuss the
importance of the area to Aboriginal people and
to listen to their ideas for managing this site.
The plans for this area will be put forward in a
draft Plan of Management amendment for the
park. Further consultation with the Aboriginal
community is planned prior to finalizing the draft
plan amendments. The draft Plan of
Management amendments also include the
proposed culture camp at Bithry Inlet, and will
go on public exhibition, where all members of
the community may have their say in the future
management of these areas.
Our congratulations go to NPWS employee Dan
Morgan, located at our Tanja Depot. After
completing two successful years as a trainee
Field Officer, Dan has recently been appointed to
the full time position of Field Officer Grade 1
year 1.
Finally I would like to welcome Lynne Thomas
who has joined NPWS as an Aboriginal Trainee
Officer located at Narooma in the Central Area.
During her traineeship Lynne will undertake the
full range of Field Officer duties throughout the
Region. Under the guidance of her supervisor
she is also taking a leading role in the routine
maintenance duties of Gulaga National Park
including working on the production and
installation of new signs focusing on the cultural
significance of Gulaga. Recently Lynne has been
accepted to undertake a Cadetship program
offered by the Department of the Director of
Equal Opportunity in Public Employment, NSW.
She will be undertaking a full time degree course
at Charles Sturt University with work experience
as a Ranger in the NPWS Narooma Office during
the school breaks. We congratulate her and wish
her good luck for the future.
Greg Hayes
Acting Regional Manager
SOUTHERN ABORIGINAL
HERITAGE UNIT UPDATE
The Cultural Heritage Division within the
National Parks & Wildlife Service has an
emphasis on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Regional Studies. In other words, we are looking
at broad areas such as local shire council
boundaries or larger areas to do Aboriginal
heritage studies. The main reason why we are
doing these studies is to record and protect areas
of Aboriginal cultural heritage value.
These values may include: places of known
Aboriginal sites, places of special importance to
Aboriginal communities, recording of areas that
contain natural values such as bush foods and
medicines, and places of contemporary
importance such as camping and fishing sites.
Aboriginal cultural heritage values could mean
many things to many Aboriginal people and
therefore, any studies should not be narrow in
their focus but be able to record any places that
have importance to Aboriginal people.
The aims of doing these studies will build
improved relationships between the National
Parks & Wildlife Service and Aboriginal
communities, it will allow the Service to gain a
better understanding of what is important to
Aboriginal communities within the local
environment, and it will help the Service to work
with Local Shire Councils to ensure that
planning in relation to developments will have a
minimal impact upon important Aboriginal
cultural values.
One such project is being planned for the Eden
Regional Forest area. The Aboriginal Heritage
Study will include a range of organisations,
including the National Parks & Wildlife Service,
Bega Valley Shire Council, NSW Heritage
Council, South-East Catchment Management
Board and the three Aboriginal communities of
Wallaga, Bega and Eden.
The above project will draw upon our known
information of Aboriginal sites through various
archaeological studies that have been completed
7

in the area. It will also involve the identification
of areas and places that should be left free from
development based upon having special
importance either cultural or contemporary. This
project will directly involve Aboriginal people to
be a part of the collection of information and the
decision making process in the planning.
Further information on this project can be
obtained by contacting myself on (02) 62989736
or Marcus Sandford at the Merimbula National
Parks office on (02) 64955003.
Gary Currey
Manager
Southern Aboriginal Heritage Unit
Cultural Heritage Division
National Parks & Wildlife Service
MUMBULLA MOUNTAIN
ABLAZE
On the 11 th of August, a very warm and windy
day helped to spread a fire burning on private
property onto the western ridges of Mumbulla
Mountain in Biamanga National Park. The fire
quickly took hold and moved rapidly uphill
burning with significant intensity. It reached the
summit of the mountain in a few hours. There
was a major fire fighting effort put into place
involving the Rural Fire Service and the NPWS
following the initial call out.
The Rural Fire Service concentrated on
preventing the fire burning back onto private
property where, livestock and other property
were potentially threatened. The NPWS worked
closely with the RFS to secure the southwestern
spread of the fire stopping its progress along the
power line track by backburning and protected
the towers and other assets on the top of the
mountain. While this action was being taken to
protect property, the fire had spread over the top
of the mountain and into inaccessible country to
the east. Over the next 10 days the NPWS
developed a number of strategies to bring the fire
under control.
The first attempt was to deploy remote area
crews into an area by helicopter to try and cut the
progress of the fire using dry fire fighting
techniques and helicopter water bucketing.
Unfortunately, the adverse weather conditions
made it impossible to hold the line. A few days
later, during favorable weather conditions, it was
possible to use aerial ignition from a helicopter
to backburn from Mumbulla Creek and a major
tributary of the Murrah River. This was done in
an attempt to burn out the remaining forest fuels
within this perimeter and contain the spread of
the fire. This time the weather held out and the
strategy worked. The fire was contained. It had
burnt out an area of about 2700 ha.
For those that are familiar with fire fighting this
may seem to be a fairly typical fire fighting story
with a good ending. However, for Aboriginal
owners of Biamanga, the techniques used to fight
this fire could have spelled disaster for the
protection of significant sacred sites and other
important Aboriginal sites in this area.
8

Bull dozers were used on private property and in
the park to cut fire containment lines used to
backburn from. They were also used to maintain
existing tracks in the fire ground area. Crews
were landed by helicopter in areas that could
have disturbed significant Aboriginal sites.
Strategies could have been used that might have
had disastrous affects on sacred sites, were they
adopted.
So, what happened? The incident controller for
the fire, had a long and intimate knowledge of
the area and knew of the importance of the place
to Aboriginal owners and the Aboriginal
community. He was not aware of the exact
location of sacred sites or other significant sites,
but knew enough to be able to put fire fighting
strategies into place that would afford maximum
protection to the areas Aboriginal cultural values.
A Ranger, with considerable Aboriginal
knowledge of the place, was put in charge on the
fire ground and consulted closely with the
Incident controller regarding proposed fire
fighting strategies and their possible impacts on
important sites. As well, Aboriginal owners
were contacted and asked their opinion. As a
result, important Aboriginal sites were protected
from fire fighting methods used during this fire.
Maybe this story does have a happy ending. But
what of the future and what of other places
where these circumstances do not exist. How
will important sites be protected during the heat
of the battle?
These are important questions. I am sure ones
that the future management board for Biamanga
National Park will need to deal with, as will
other land management agencies.
Note: Some may suggest that the fire started outside
the fire danger period in Spring and should have
been left to burn without interfering, as it was
“doing a good job” removing the forest fuels,
sometimes referred to as “hazard reduction
burning”. This would also have protected the
Aboriginal sites. As I write this article, it is the 4 th of
September, 26 degrees, winds from the west
northwest at 25 to 30kms and low humidity, with no
rain since the fire began on the 11 th of August. If the
fire was still burning today it would surely be
threatening lives and property to the north and east
in the Murrah not to mention putting the lives of
many fire fighters at risk and taking them from their
families and jobs.
Preston Cope Area Manager – Central NPWS
ELIGIBLE ELECTORS ENCOURAGED TO
PARTICIPATE IN THE 2002
ATSIC REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS
The 2002 ATSIC Regional Council election is
fast approaching, the Regional Returning Officer
for the ATSIC Queanbeyan Region, Mr Peter
Manley reminded eligible electors today.
“This is the chance for all Aboriginal people and
Torres Strait Islanders, 18 years or older, to
have a say in who will represent them on their
regional council,” he said.
“To be able to vote in the election, eligible
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander electors
9

must be on the Commonwealth electoral roll at
the close of rolls at 5pm, Friday 4 October
2002.”
“If you’re not enrolled or need to update your
address on the electoral roll, you still have time
to do so. But don’t forget if you’re not enrolled,
you can’t vote on election day Saturday 19
October 2002.”
To enrol or change your address, eligible
electors need to fill out a green enrolment form,
which is available from any Post Office,
Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Office or
ATSIC Office.
“To nominate as a candidate, you must also be
on the electoral roll. Nominations of candidates
are now being taken and will close at 5pm
Wednesday 18 September 2002. The
candidates will be announced on the following
day,” Mr Manley said.
Mr Manley said that the AEC and ATSIC were
committed to providing election information so
eligible electors can fully participate in the
ATSIC election.
“The AEC has Community Electoral Information
Officers dedicated to every region who are
available to meet with individuals and
community groups,” he said.
Eligible electors in the Umbara Ward (South
Coast) are encouraged to contact Ms Christine
Darcy on 0419 674 308 or 02 4423 3057 and
elgible electors in the Bogong and Canberra
Wards are encouraged to contact John Dunn on
0419 973 315 or 02 6262 9431.
Mr Manley said that if eligible electors had any
enquiries such as what ward they are in, how to
nominate as a candidate, how to enrol or how to
vote, they could access the AEC website on
www.aec.gov.au, contact the field officers or
ring 13 23 26.
Further information:
Peter Manley
Regional Returning Officer for
ATSIC Queanbeyan Region
Phone: 02 4423 3056
Discovering the Mountain
Brushtail Possum
Background Recently, Associate Professor
David Lindenmayer and Dr Karen Viggers from
the Australian National University have
identified new species of Mountain Brushtail
Possums. The populations occurring in Victoria
are now known as the Southern Mountain
Brushtail Possum and Queensland populations
are a separate species renamed as the Short-eared
Possum. As part of their research they are trying
to determine the distribution pattern of the two
species in southern New South Wales. To do this
a trapping and release program is being
undertaken in several locations in NSW. “Gulaga
(Mt Dromedary) is one of the locations we would
like to trap the Mountain Brushtail Possum to
discover which of the two species occurs in the
area”, Professor Lindenmayer said.
Trapping Trapping involves baiting large cage
traps with apples. The trapped animals are
sedated by wildlife veterinarian and field
biologist Dr Karen Viggers to minimise stress on
the animals. Body measurements (ear length,
foot length, weight etc) are made and a small
amount of blood is taken for DNA analysis. The
animals recover after a few hours and are then
released at night at the exact place where they
were first captured. Trapping is expected to take
no longer than 5 days as we need to trap only 12
to 15 animals. In the 10 years since Dr Karen
Viggers and Assoc Prof. David Lindenmayer
began their work on Mountain Brushtail
Possums in Victoria there has been no indication
of damage to the animals (in this time more than
1500 individuals have been trapped).
Community Involvement We welcome
community involvement in the trapping program
and information on the work will be provided to
the community upon requests.
We also invite people to ask questions.
For further information please contact either
Monica Ruibal (Field Officer) on (02)61258161
or e-mail Monica at monicaruibal@hotmail.com
David Lindenmayer on (02) 6125 0654
or e-mail David at davidl@cres.anu.edu.au
10

Dangerous Creatures of the South East Coast
Find - a – word
E A S T E R N B R O W N M J S M A E
B Y Y E A E O M E U H R C U C A D A
L A Y U S D B A D E I F O M O K R S
U I F R T B C R B S T L W P R O E T
E L U O E A A C E C E N T I P E D E
R E N P R C T H L R P B A N I M R R
I D N E N K F F L U O U I G O O O N
N B E A S W I L I B I L L A N S C T
G L L N M H S Y E T N L R N T Q K I
E U W W A A H W D I T A A T I U C G
D E E A L L I T B C E N Y S G I O E
O B B S L E H M L K R T U T E T D R
C O P P E R H E A D C H J I R O L O
T T Y A Y N D L C S E A S N A K E A
O T U G E H T E K R F I N G E F E O
P L O D D E A T H A D D E R A N C D
U E L E C T R I C R A Y S A O N H G
S E U R O P E A N H O N E Y B E E S
* Join remaining letters to find a hidden message
Insects
Bull Ants
Centipede
European Honey Bee
European Wasp
Jumping Ant
March Fly
Mosquito
Sharks
Mako
Tiger
Whaler
White Pointer
Snakes
Copperhead
Death Adder
Eastern Brown
Eastern Small-eyed
Eastern Tiger
Red-bellied Black
Sea Snake
Spiders
Funnel-web
Red-back
Scorpion
Scrub Tick
In the Water
Blue-Bottle
Blue Ringed Octopus
Catfish
Cowtail Ray
Electric Ray
Red Rock Cod
Stingray (Blue Spotted)
Worms
Leech
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Bega
The Bega Aboriginal Community
NAIDOC day celebrations were a great
success. It was a beautiful sunny
Wednesday at Littleton's Garden. The
Bega NAIDOC committee did a splendid
job. There were musicians for the adults
and a bouncy castle for the kids. NPWS
put on a free BBQ with tea and coffee
for everyone. It was good to see so many
of the Aboriginal community taking the
opportunity to get out. The location and
sunshine, mixed with the generous,
friendly and relaxed spirit of the
occasion made for a wonderful day. It
was great to see so many Bega people
taking the opportunity to share NAIDOC
celebrations with the Aboriginal
community. It was a great day, well
done. Congratulations to everyone who
helped and participated.
Max Beukers – Project Officer NPWS
Bournda
During NAIDOC week a few of the
Tourism graduates got together to help
local school kids learn more about
Aboriginal Culture in the bush. The
graduates include David Dixon, Kathy
Thomas, Ross Thomas, Steven Luff,
Craig Dixon, Glenda Dixon and Wayne
Bell. All were keen to apply their new
skills in a fun and educational setting.
Over 250 children from primary schools
around the Bega Valley were part of the
program. Students came from Bega
West, St Patrick's Bega and Wyndham
School.
The school kids really enjoyed getting to
know more about Aboriginal culture.
Activities included, bushfoods,
storytelling, face painting, Aboriginal
artefacts, boomerangs as well as bush
NAIDOC
toys, bark painting, rope and flag
making and games.
Steven Luff, Colleen Dixon, Ross Thomas, Peter Jones and
students of Wyndham Primary
Peter Jones and Colleen Dixon were
really pleased with the interest the
school kids showed. Apart from being a
lot of fun it was also a great opportunity
to showcase Aboriginal culture to the
kids. It has been good for the graduates
too. They all hope to be able to use their
new skills in a job or business soon.
Steven Luff and Ross Thomas both said
that is was a great experience and that
teaching kids about Aboriginal culture
in the bush was a really rewarding
thing to do.
Ross Fackerell for the Bournda
Environmental Education Centre was
also very pleased with the program, the
graduates knowledge and skills and the
school kids response. He said "its good
to see kids getting better education
about Aboriginal culture from young
Aboriginal people in the bush'.
The week would not have been possible
without the support of The Bega
Traditional Aboriginal Elders Council,
Bournda Environmental Education
Centre and Bega TAFE, the sponsorship
of National Parks and Wildlife Service
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and the enthusiasm of the school kids
themselves.
Cobowra
Cobowra Local Aboriginal Land Council
celebrated NAIDOC Day Sunday 21 st
July, 2002. The event was a huge
success and attracted over 300 people
from the local and surrounding areas
and included visitors from as far north
as Kempsey.
The food was very popular
Major attractions this year included a
Flag Raising Ceremony with the
assistance of community and elders, a
merry-go-round for the children,
jumping castles, helium balloons, face
painting and cultural activities. A BBQ
luncheon supplied on the day was a
smorgasbord feast due to the hard
work, diligence and commitment by
community and members to make this
as usual an occasion to remember.
Davis and Sophie are to be commended
for their unstinting and hard work and
also the many helpers who assisted
throughout the day.
Highlights of the day’s activities
included an outstanding performance
by the young Cultural Dancers (The
Gunyuu’s) of Moruya with the guidance
of Rod Slockie.
The young group of dancers performed
with poise and grace to the rhythm of
the didgeridoo played by Roderick in the
presence of the community and guests
who gathered to make this a memorable
The Gunyuu Dancers
occasion for this year’s day of
celebration.
Elders and community enjoyed the day
of activities and were kept entertained
with the classic music that flowed
continuously throughout the day from
the Canberra Band (Riverbank). For
added entertainment the community
was treated with an afternoon of
Karaoke. Local identities Corrina
Duroux and Ross Moore joined in the
karaoke with both artists displaying a
robust performance rich in talent to the
delight of the community.
A successful Elders dinner planned as
part of NAIDOC Celebrations for
Saturday 10 th of August was held at
Tomakin Sports and Social Club the
chosen venue this year. Over 83 Elders,
sponsors and guests including
representatives from local Aboriginal
organisations within the local shire
attended this years 2002 Elders Dinner.
Alice McKenzie, Gloria Nye and Lillian Connell share a
laugh with Peter and Jan Carney.
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Special guests included the Mayor of
Eurobodalla Shire Council – Peter
Carney and General Manager Jim Levi.
Patricia Ellis Chairperson of Cobowra
LALC with the assistance of John
Stewart Chairperson of Cobowra CDEP,
welcomed Elders and special guests to
the opening of this special yearly
occasion, an invitation was extended to
the Mayor Mr Carney to assist with the
opening of the Elders dinner.
JoanChapman, Jim Levi, Ron and Angela Nye.
Elders met with other elders and guests
shared stories and enjoyed a full night
of entertainment with non stop music
by solo artist Dale Huddleston who kept
the dance floor full humming.
Joanne Spackman, Norman Parsons, Raylene Spackman
and Linda Carlson.
A special thanks to Tomakin Sports and
Social Club for supplying the
entertainment for the night and to Jane
and Jacki for the wonderful food
preparation and the prompt efficient
table service. Thanks must also go to
our valued sponsors for assisting and
supporting the Elders Dinner this year,
sponsors include: NSW National Parks
and Wildlife Service, ATSIC, Department
of Aboriginal Affairs, Department of
Community Services and NSW
Aboriginal Land Council.
Linda Carlson
Eden
NPWS was really pleased to sponsor a
sports day and BBQ held by the Eden
Aboriginal Community. The sports day
rounded off a delightful NAIDOC week
in Eden with plenty of sunshine for
everyone. The kids activities where a
whole heap of fun. The talking and
joking around the BBQ was even more
fun. But the real reason for the day was
football. Unfortunately the crack NPWS
side was called away to fight a wildfire
at Stanton Rock. The late withdrawal of
the parkies left the footy competition
wide open. Back at the BBQ the talk
was of footy tactics and good humoured
ribbing of absent parkies. On the
playing field the competition was fierce.
My sources tell me that the gold medal
winning team had an off duty parkie on
the side. Well done Lynno. And while
the footy wasn't quiet up to Sydney
league standard, what the games lacked
in skill, they certainly made up for in
entertainment, laughter and energy.
Special thanks goes to Merv, Catherine,
Shirley and the whole NADIOC
committee for the great job they did in
organising the day.
Max Beukers – Project Officer NPWS
14

Jindabyne
Old Country, back home ~ NAIDOC in Snowy Mountains Region
During the NAIDOC celebration in Jindabyne in July the NPWS Snowy Mountains
Regional Manager, Mr Dave Darlington, welcomed the traditional owners back to their
country.
“I acknowledge we are in Ngarigo country and pay respect to the Ngarigo elders and
people who are here today. Aboriginal people do have, and have maintained, a strong
connection with this area” He said.
Over 100 Aboriginal people joined about 50 Jindabyne residents and National Parks
staff to celebrate NAIDOC. People with traditional connections with the Snowy
Mountains Region traveled from SE Victoria, Sydney and the NSW South Coast to be
part of the event. Mr Rod Mason, NPWS Snowy Mountains Region Aboriginal
Education Officer believes that the day provided people with the opportunity to catch
up with relatives and friends.
“The day was aimed at reuniting the Aboriginal community by renewing their cultural
ties to the Snowy River and its regions” he said.
After Welcome and the raising of the Aboriginal Flag in Jindabyne everyone moved up
to the Kosciuszko Education Centre at Sawpit Creek for a barbeque. Some people then
braved the heavy ski traffic and had a quick trip to the snow.
Snowy Mountains Region is now focussed on the Aboriginal Gathering planned as part
of the International Year of Mountains Celebrations in Jindabyne in late November.
Rod Mason is currently working as part of the team reviewing the Kosciuszko National
Park Plan of Management. He is working towards attaining some positive outcomes for
Aboriginal people in the new plan. If you would like to discuss any issues relating to
this process he can be contacted by ph (02) 64505 631 or fax (02) 64562324 or by
writing to Kosciuszko National Park PO Box 206 Jindabyne NSW 2627.
Rod Mason and Ngarigo Elders Rae Stewart, Rae Mullett, Faye Harrison, Colleen
Dixon and Margaret Dixon.
15

Keep your eyes peeled and your ears out for more information
about Celebrating Mountains.
Come along to Jindabyne on Sunday 24 November 2002 for a special gathering of
people from right across the Australian Alps.
Two special events are planned and you are welcome to get involved.
◘ Set up a stall selling arts, crafts, food or other goods
Celebrating
Mountains
2002
◘ Come and perform either your own material or join in the Kaju Ceremony
◘ Or just come along and watch, catch up with family and friends.
Family Picnic Day
On Sunday 24 November 2002 there will be a Picnic on Lake Jindabyne. Kicking off in
the late morning there will be a community fair and art market as well as a wide variety of
staged entertainment suitable for the whole family.
Kaju Ceremony
Re-ignite the strong connections to the mountains and highlight the importance of
mountains to Australians and the Australian environment with this special ceremony.
There is plenty of opportunity to be involved.
.....for more information contact Justine Hatcher by phone (02) 8585 5200, email
kaju@publicevent.com or fax (02) 8585 5252 to discuss how you and/or your
organisation can participate in Celebrating Mountains.
Cath Renwick 02 6247 4254
16

Probation and Parole Service-Project Update
Support is growing for this project aimed at providing more effective ways of working
with adult Aboriginal people in trouble with the law. More and more people on the Far
and Lower Far South Coast are coming forward and sharing their wisdom and their own
life stories. This leads to the exploring of creative solutions. If we are going to succeed in
breaking the cycle of offending it is going to take all of this and a whole lot more.
The Steering Committee talked about in the last edition is slowly forming. In the next
edition I hope to be able to share with you the list of participating persons and
organisations. As a member of the interim committee I have been asked to meet with the
Elders of the region between Batemans Bay and Eden. These Elder gatherings are to seek
the support and permission of the region’s Elders to conduct “Cultural Identity Camps“ as
an alternate sentencing option for those assessed suitable.
Unfortunately, the timing of these meetings means that it is too late to advertise them
here. However, three Gatherings are happening: Moruya, Wallaga Lake and, Eden. In this
way it is hoped that as many Elders as possible are given the opportunity to participate in
the planning of this proposed initiative.
While after much discussion in the community already, I have my own thoughts about
what the purpose of these camps are, I am eager for the guidance of our Elders. It is hoped
that these camps will be planned, organised and run by the Aboriginal people of the area
with the support of agencies such as the Probation and Parole Service.
The basic structure discussed for these camps so far is for four camps per year (one per
quarter) for the Bega to Eden region and, the Batemans Bay to Bega region. Each camp
will last for approximately one week. Assessment processes are yet to be worked out with
Elder involvement and Steering Committee support. Many details about how these camps
will run and, what they will consist of, will depend on the clients needs, the Elders
participation and so forth.
Similar programs are already being run by the Department of Corrective services.
Participants have talked about their growing understanding of what community is about -
shared responsibility, respect and belonging. They have also talked about their growing
understanding of, and esteem for, being Aboriginal.
Hopefully, these proposed camps can make a much needed difference in peoples lives. To
be given a safe space with ones own people to sort out some of your thinking can’t be a
bad thing. As a few Elders have told me, we each have a Dreaming Track which we need
to find and travel. No-one else can take this journey for us but we need help to find it and
stick to it.
If you didn’t make it to any of the Elders Gatherings but you wish to contribute in some
way or have something to say, it is not too late. This is an ongoing process and I invite
you to call me - Sheelagh Daniesl, Aboriginal Project Officer on: 0409 662 524 or 9289
1085.
17

Djuwin Women’s Lore Council
We are currently in the process of incorporation of the Djuwin Women’s Lore Council and
establishing a business address, both of which should be finalised within the month.
At the meeting of the Djuwin Women’s’ Lore Council, held at the Narooma Golf Club on
Tuesday the 25 th of June, the members’ present workshopped proposed community
projects and funding opportunities. Projects supported at this meeting included: Research
for the documentary, “Cook-The Untold Story”, Women & girls culture camps, Man & boys
culture camps, Family culture camps, Women’s working groups specifically for women’s
places, Visits with Western Desert Women in their country and ours.
Upcoming meetings include:
Members Date Venue Business
Governing Committee Tuesday 24 th
Bermagui Country Project Funding
September
Club
All Members Tuesday 26 th
Umbarra Cultural Women’s Craft
November
Tours
Workshop
Governing Committee Tuesday 11 th February Bermagui Country
Club
Project Funding
All Members Saturday 12 th & Sunday
13 th To be determined Women & Children’s
April 2003
Culture Camp.
Dangerous Creatures of the South East Coast
Find -a –word answers
Legend
Legend
Key to Legend
Bull Ant 126 Eastern Tiger 181
Centipede 105 Red-bellied Black 91
European Honey Bee 218 Sea Snake 1014 Word Starts
European Wasp 42 Funnel-web 34 Across
Jumping Ant 141 Red-back 61 Down
March Fly 82 Scorpion 151 Word Direction
Mosquito 166 Scrub Tick 104 Word Direction
Mako 161 Blue-Bottle 28
Tiger 159 Blue Ringed 12
Octopus
Whaler 68 Catfish 74
White Pointer 111 Cowtail Ray 132
Copperhead 113 Electric Ray 217
Death Adder 516 Red Rock Cod 173
Eastern Brown 11 Stingray (Blue 1411
Spotted)
Eastern Small-eyed 51 Leech 1713
Resource: “Dangerous Australians-The Complete Guide to Australia’s most Deadly Creatures”. Compiled by the Editors of “The Living
Australia”. Published by Bay Books
19

Calendar of Events
September
Tues 24 th Djuwin Womens Lore
Council meeting - Narooma
Golf Club
October
18,19,20 th Eurobodalla Aboriginal Art
Exhibition - Moruya
November
Sun 24 th Celebrating Mountains 2002
Jindabyne
Tues 26 th Djuwin Womens Lore
Council Workshop
Umbarra
Next Issue
• Our Readers Comments
• Biamanga/Gulaga National Parks
• NPWS Aboriginal Employee Profile
• Registrar Aboriginal Land Rights
• Find-a-word
• Department of Aboriginal Affairs
• Southern Aboriginal Heritage Unit
• Regional Managers Report
Subscription details
Please fill in the following details to
receive your copy of future quarterly
newsletters and forward them to:
Trisha Ellis
Aboriginal Project Officer
NSW National Parks & Wildlife
Service
PO Box 282
Narooma NSW 2546
Telephone: 02 44760846
Facsimile: 02 44762757
Mobile: 04 28660432
Email:
trisha.ellis@npws.nsw.gov.au
Name: ___________________________
Address:
__________________________________
Postcode: _________ State: _________
Telephone:_______________________
Facsimile:_______________________
Mobile:_______________________
Email:_______________________
Note: Photocopies of back issues available on request.
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