coastal custodians - Department of Environment and Climate Change
coastal custodians - Department of Environment and Climate Change
coastal custodians - Department of Environment and Climate Change
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
COASTAL CUSTODIANS<br />
Volume 3, Issue 3 February/March 2007<br />
Introducing:<br />
Deanna (Aunty Daught) Davison.<br />
I was born on the 23 rd <strong>of</strong> December 1941 in Page<br />
Avenue North Nowra in a run down old house.<br />
The day I was born Dad was going around<br />
saying “I’ve got a daughter, I’ve got a daughter”.<br />
My brother Alex picked up on what Dad was<br />
saying <strong>and</strong> then he was running around telling all<br />
the kids that he had a daughter so that’s how I<br />
got the nick name “Daught”.<br />
My father is Reginald Oswald Walker; a<br />
Walbunja man born 9 th February 1909 at<br />
Wallaga Lake (registered as Tilba Tilba) <strong>and</strong><br />
died <strong>of</strong> congestive cardial failure on the 16 th <strong>of</strong><br />
December 1971 at Bega, his usual residence was<br />
Wallaga Lake. My mother is Iris Elizabeth<br />
Walker nee Brindle she was a Monaro Ngarigo<br />
woman born on Delegate Mission in 1909. Mum<br />
wasn’t a well person, she used to suffer from<br />
asthma, which she didn’t have until after she had<br />
Dennis. She died on the 18 th <strong>of</strong> February 1961 at<br />
Moruya at fifty-two years <strong>of</strong> age. Usual place <strong>of</strong><br />
residence was Nerrigundah.<br />
Dad’s father was Edward Walker born 1873 in<br />
Bodalla. Dad’s mother was Mary Jane Walker<br />
nee Johnson who was a Broulee woman; she was<br />
born in 1880 at Ulladulla. They were married at<br />
Turlinjah, in the presence <strong>of</strong> Henry Chapman<br />
<strong>and</strong> Alice Bolloway on the 29 th <strong>of</strong> July 1898.<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>father Edward Walkers nickname was<br />
“Feather”. Edward Walker swallowed a bone<br />
with his food <strong>and</strong> it perforated his bowel. He<br />
died on the 8 th <strong>of</strong> December 1937 at the David<br />
Berry Hospital in Berry. Granny Mary Jane later<br />
married Bert Penrith at the All Saints Church in<br />
Nowra on the 7 th <strong>of</strong> February 1942. His children<br />
were Charley <strong>and</strong> Ruby. Charley was father to<br />
Burnum Burnum <strong>and</strong> Ruby is Mervyn Penrith’s<br />
mother. I really loved Aunty Ruby.<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>father Edward’s mother was Jane<br />
Hoskins/Austin; his father was James Walker<br />
born 1846, they were married at Kianga. James<br />
died in 1921 at Batemans Bay. James father,<br />
Edward Walker was born in 1815 <strong>and</strong> died on<br />
the 4 th <strong>of</strong> February 1900 at Wallaga Lake<br />
Aboriginal Station. He owned the white bullock<br />
team. Dad said that the bullock teams were the<br />
carriers from Tilba to Bateman’s Bay <strong>and</strong> back.<br />
Edward was the son <strong>of</strong> Tunungeranbrun.<br />
Tunungeranbrun was born in the Moruya district<br />
(exact locality is unknown); They are both<br />
mentioned in an article in the Moruya Examiner<br />
<strong>of</strong> February 9 th 1900 as follows:<br />
Death <strong>of</strong> an Aboriginal.<br />
Just as we are going to press, we regret to<br />
say that we have received news <strong>of</strong> the<br />
death <strong>of</strong> Edward Walker, aged 85, son <strong>of</strong><br />
Tunungeranbrun, king <strong>of</strong> the Moruya<br />
aboriginals, at Wallaga Lake Station. He<br />
must have seen many strange sights in his<br />
time <strong>and</strong> could remember the district<br />
before the first white man came. He leaves<br />
two children; Murrins aged 65 <strong>and</strong><br />
Jimmey walker, aged 60, to mourn their<br />
loss.<br />
(The ‘Murrins’ referred to is actually ‘Murrina’,<br />
which is the tribal name <strong>of</strong> Louisa Walker who<br />
married Richard Bolloway).<br />
Mary Jane Johnson’s parents were Donald<br />
Johnson born 1845 at Broulee <strong>and</strong> Mary O’Brien<br />
born 1860 at majors Creek. They were married<br />
on the 22 nd <strong>of</strong> June 1895 at Turlinjah. Donald<br />
Johnson’s parents were Henry Johnson <strong>and</strong> Mary<br />
Coastal Custodians 1
Inside this Issue<br />
DISCLAIMER<br />
Page<br />
Introducing Deanna (Aunty Daught) Davison 1 to 5<br />
Inside this Issue & editors Comments<br />
Regional Managers Report<br />
NSW <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Conservation Aboriginal Cultural Heritage<br />
Advisory committee.<br />
South Coast Voices CD ROM<br />
Dannielle Towers is Back on Board<br />
Koalas<br />
New Amenities Block – Tilba Sports Ground<br />
Calling Aboriginal Artists to Exhibit<br />
National Parks Discovery School Education<br />
Program<br />
Bingie Dreaming Track – Official Opening<br />
NPWS Aboriginal Network Meeting Kioloa<br />
Calendar <strong>of</strong> Events & Subscription form<br />
Information provided in the Coastal Custodian is<br />
not necessarily the views <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> & Conservation (NPWS). DEC<br />
takes no responsibility for errors or omissions <strong>of</strong><br />
fact based on information provided by third<br />
parties.<br />
Johnson nee (unknown). Mary O’Brien’s parents<br />
were John O’Brien <strong>and</strong> Sarah Cook.<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>father Edward had a brother Robert (Bob)<br />
<strong>and</strong> sisters Emily who married a Stewart, Dolly<br />
who married a Cruse <strong>and</strong> Vicki who married a<br />
Lang. Gr<strong>and</strong>father Edwards’s sister, Aunty<br />
Emily Stewart, had a big mob, they are: James,<br />
Frank, Christie, Mable, Laddie, Arthur, Werge,<br />
2<br />
6<br />
7 & 8<br />
9<br />
10<br />
10 to 13<br />
13 to 15<br />
16<br />
17<br />
18<br />
19<br />
20<br />
Aunty Glady, Percy, Richard, Aunty Ruth, Alan,<br />
Emily <strong>and</strong> Robert. Aunty Ruth married Donnie<br />
Walker senior, they had Patsy, Donnie junior <strong>and</strong><br />
June. Aunty Ruth <strong>and</strong> Uncle Donnie Walker split<br />
up <strong>and</strong> Aunty Ruth got with Uncle Alf Penrith, I<br />
lived with them for a while as a teenager when<br />
they lived in Sydney, they moved to Tomerong<br />
then Mogo. Their home was open to anyone <strong>and</strong><br />
everyone. We always visited Aunty Ruth, June<br />
<strong>and</strong> Patsy in Mogo, by this time Patsy was<br />
married to Keith Smith.<br />
Picture taken outside Bodalla Pub: Jimmy Little senior,<br />
Dora Williams, unknown women <strong>and</strong> Reg Walker.<br />
Dad’s older sister was Ethel his older brother<br />
was Ernest, then there was Dad, his younger<br />
brother, was Miles, (nickname “Smiler”). Dad<br />
saw the last corroboree on Wallaga; he was only<br />
a boy at the time. It was held down the side <strong>of</strong><br />
the hill behind the hall. Dad’s family moved<br />
from Mosquito Bay, Wallaga Lake to Hilltop<br />
Farm at Tilba when Dad was young. While in his<br />
teens Dad got hit in the knee with a cricket ball<br />
<strong>and</strong> ended up in Sydney Hospital for a long time.<br />
The family moved to Kiama to be close to the<br />
trains so that they could visit him in Sydney<br />
Hospital after he injured his knee. That injury<br />
left him with a limp but it was never a h<strong>and</strong>icap.<br />
Dad met Mum in Sydney <strong>and</strong> they were married<br />
in Kiama on the 30 th <strong>of</strong> March 1931. He worked<br />
in the mills cutting timber, he did seasonal work<br />
picking peas <strong>and</strong> beans, he cut sleepers in the<br />
bush <strong>and</strong> he was also a fisherman. He used to<br />
joke that he was a jack-<strong>of</strong>-all-trades, master <strong>of</strong><br />
none<br />
Coastal Custodians 2
Mum’s father was Alex<strong>and</strong>er (Alex) Brindle <strong>and</strong><br />
her mother was Daisy Bradshaw/Rutherford (she<br />
used both names). Gr<strong>and</strong>father Alex was born in<br />
the Snowy Mountains at Jindabyne about 1888,<br />
<strong>and</strong> he died <strong>of</strong> pneumonia at eighty years <strong>of</strong> age,<br />
on the 29 th <strong>of</strong> August 1963 at Lidcombe State<br />
Hospital <strong>and</strong> Home, Lidcombe. As a young man<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>father Alex Brindle became a black tracker<br />
<strong>and</strong> he worked with the Cooma, Dalgety <strong>and</strong><br />
Bombala Police. Gr<strong>and</strong>mother Daisy was born in<br />
1887 at Delegate <strong>and</strong> died on the 22 nd <strong>of</strong><br />
September 1915 at Cooma District Hospital.<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>father Alex’s mother was Emily Ellis-<br />
Peters born 1853 <strong>and</strong> died about 1905. His father<br />
was James Brindle born 1852 in Victoria at Cann<br />
River or Monaro. James died on the 14 th <strong>of</strong><br />
August 1906 in Gippsl<strong>and</strong> Hospital.<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>mother Daisy’s father was (Black Harry)<br />
Henry Brad(y)sh born 1860 <strong>and</strong> died before<br />
1925. Her mother was Lucy Bradshaw; Lucy<br />
was born in 1862 on ‘Cobbin Station’ at<br />
Jindabyne. Lucy later married Billy Rutherford,<br />
hence Daisy’s use <strong>of</strong> the name. Lucy died on the<br />
27 th <strong>of</strong> July 1935.<br />
When Gr<strong>and</strong>mother Daisy passed on,<br />
Gr<strong>and</strong>father Alex married Ethel Pegram (a non-<br />
Aboriginal woman) on the 17 th <strong>of</strong> April 1920,<br />
<strong>and</strong> they had a big family. Gr<strong>and</strong>father Alex was<br />
registered on the Eden-Monaro (Cooma)<br />
electoral roll since 1906.<br />
When my Mum Iris <strong>and</strong> her sister Mary were ten<br />
<strong>and</strong> eight years old they were taken by the<br />
welfare to Cootamundra Girls Home. When<br />
mum turned fifteen she was put out with a<br />
wealthy family in Sydney <strong>and</strong> worked as a<br />
domestic servant. Aunty Mary, when she left<br />
Cootamundra Homes she was put out around<br />
Cootamundra area where she fell pregnant <strong>and</strong><br />
had cousin Kenny Brindle. By the time she met<br />
up with Mum again (must have been on the<br />
South Coast) Mum was married <strong>and</strong> had Dennis,<br />
my older brother. When mum would baby-sit<br />
Kenny she would breast-feed both Kenny <strong>and</strong><br />
Dennis. There were eight other children to<br />
follow Dennis, they are Ronald, Margaret, Alex,<br />
myself, Mary, Billy, Bobby <strong>and</strong> Regina.<br />
We lived at North Nowra on a property<br />
belonging to my Uncle Ernie Walker. He was<br />
George Brown’s father. Dad used to take my<br />
brother Dennis out sleeper cutting. Dennis cut<br />
his leg while they were out in the bush; he got<br />
tetanus in the wound, Dad got him back to the<br />
hospital where he passed away. He was only a<br />
young man, seventeen years <strong>of</strong> age when that<br />
happened. He was a well-liked person in the<br />
Nowra community; the scouts formed a guard <strong>of</strong><br />
honour at his funeral. They said that Dad went<br />
grey in a week. Mum lost three other children,<br />
Ronald, Margaret <strong>and</strong> Mary. They were only<br />
young when they passed away. Mary got<br />
gastroenteritis. That left Alex, myself, Billy,<br />
Bobby <strong>and</strong> Regina.<br />
Pictured: Regina <strong>and</strong> Iris Walker<br />
I started school at Nowra Primary School <strong>and</strong><br />
shortly after that we moved from Nowra to<br />
Wreck Bay, when I was about six or seven.<br />
While we were living at Wreck Bay, Mum’s<br />
sister Mary Brindle passed away, she was living<br />
at Cooper’s Isl<strong>and</strong> at the time. She was at the<br />
camp <strong>and</strong> had a heart attack that was in 1952.<br />
She was buried in Moruya cemetery but we don’t<br />
know where. We have tried to find her but there<br />
doesn’t seem to be any records.<br />
At Wreck Bay I went to school. It was the best<br />
years <strong>of</strong> my life living on Wreck Bay. All the<br />
things we had to do, we’d run through the bush,<br />
pick flowers, run round the rocks, all the kids<br />
around my age would go for walks on the<br />
weekends. I remember some <strong>of</strong> them: they were<br />
Coastal Custodians 3
Fay, Ronny <strong>and</strong> John Ardler, Mary Roberts,<br />
Lurline Moore, Neville <strong>and</strong> Patsy Bloxsome <strong>and</strong><br />
Amby Brown. We’d take matches to make a fire,<br />
eat berries out <strong>of</strong> the bush, <strong>and</strong> catch pipis’. We<br />
could go away all day <strong>and</strong> just live <strong>of</strong>f the l<strong>and</strong><br />
or the ocean <strong>and</strong> never go hungry. I loved the<br />
school there; we would do all sorts <strong>of</strong> craft as<br />
well as schoolwork. I remember the day we left<br />
Wreck I was twelve <strong>and</strong> the manager took us in<br />
his truck to catch the train. As we were leaving<br />
Wreck, Alex <strong>and</strong> me were on the back <strong>of</strong> the<br />
truck. I was crying my eyes out, broken hearted.<br />
We moved out to Cowra. Mum <strong>and</strong> Dad lived<br />
there for four years. I went to high school there<br />
then moved to Sydney. I lived at La Perouse with<br />
Uncle Benny <strong>and</strong> Aunty Sarah Cruse.<br />
I worked at the Prince Henry Hospital as a<br />
domestic. Mum <strong>and</strong> Dad moved to Falls Creek<br />
outside Nowra <strong>and</strong> asked me to come home. I<br />
had my daughter Iris just before my eighteenth<br />
birthday in 1959 at Paddington Hospital in<br />
Sydney. Then I moved home with Mum <strong>and</strong> Dad<br />
at Falls Creek.<br />
I met Jimmy Davison in 1960. Jimmy was born<br />
in 1937 at Armidale. His father is Colin James<br />
Davison <strong>and</strong> his mother is Kathleen Jane<br />
Callaghan. We married in 1966. Our children are<br />
Colin, Derek <strong>and</strong> Dennis; they were born at<br />
Crown Street, Hospital in Sydney. We moved to<br />
Wallaga when Dennis was a baby in 1963.<br />
Michelle <strong>and</strong> Cheryl were born at Bega Hospital<br />
<strong>and</strong> Jason, Leslie <strong>and</strong> Lucy were born at Moruya<br />
Hospital. Jimmy worked as a h<strong>and</strong>yman on<br />
Wallaga for the Manager George Budworth.<br />
Jimmy also worked on the Forestry at Bermagui.<br />
Leading up to the 1967 Referendum, Cousin<br />
Kenny Brindle bought Uni students down to<br />
Wallaga from Sydney. This was when we started<br />
to get involved in politics. Kenny was a regular<br />
visitor to Wallaga <strong>and</strong> we told him about the<br />
treatment that the Aboriginal people got from the<br />
police <strong>and</strong> some <strong>of</strong> the Managers. They use to<br />
have a gate outside the Managers residence,<br />
when you had a visitor you had to report to the<br />
Manager, visitors were only allowed for a set<br />
time. When Kenny visited with the Uni students<br />
they purposefully set up sound recordings for<br />
when the Manager came in with the Police <strong>and</strong><br />
the whole conversation was recorded about them<br />
being told to remove themselves from my house<br />
<strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>f the mission. Just after that we left<br />
Wallaga <strong>and</strong> moved to Nowra. Iris was going to<br />
Narooma High School <strong>and</strong> Derek <strong>and</strong> Colin were<br />
old enough now to go to high school as well.<br />
There were more opportunities for them in<br />
Nowra <strong>and</strong> we wanted to get <strong>of</strong>f the mission.<br />
Pictured at Wallaga are Iris, Cheryl, Michelle, Collin,<br />
Derek <strong>and</strong> Dennis.<br />
We got a house in Bomaderry for a few years<br />
then we moved to Tamworth. Jimmy was<br />
working for the Family Resettlement Program.<br />
We were there for about four years.<br />
Then we moved back to East Nowra. Aunty Jane<br />
Ardler approached me <strong>and</strong> asked me, if they got<br />
the Medical Centre going would I work for them.<br />
I worked there for over twenty years on <strong>and</strong> <strong>of</strong>f.<br />
When we first got the Centre going we worked<br />
for nothing but we needed to set the service up.<br />
Redfern Medical Services gave us a vehicle, a<br />
Doctor <strong>and</strong> some <strong>of</strong>fice equipment. There was<br />
Aunty Jane, myself, Debbie Lul<strong>and</strong>, May<br />
Roberts <strong>and</strong> Gracy Coombes. We had a room at<br />
the Aboriginal Culture Centre, then<br />
demountables in the Culture Centre car park, we<br />
moved to a building in Berry Street then another<br />
in Junction Street. We were in a half a dozen<br />
different places before the new Medical Centre<br />
was built in Berry Street <strong>and</strong> that’s where it is<br />
today.<br />
Coastal Custodians 4
I live with Jimmy <strong>and</strong> Regina at Jerrabomberra;<br />
it’s just outside Queanbeyan. . I look after<br />
Regina I’m her carer <strong>and</strong> Jimmy doesn’t work<br />
anymore. There are only Regina <strong>and</strong> me left <strong>of</strong><br />
my family. Now the kids have all grown up.<br />
Iris married David White; he is a painter by trade<br />
but is working with Anglicare in Moruya at the<br />
moment. Iris is a Manager with TAFE; she has<br />
also worked for the Aboriginal Legal Service,<br />
the L<strong>and</strong>s <strong>Department</strong> <strong>and</strong> ATSIC. Iris won a<br />
scholarship in high school <strong>and</strong> went to the<br />
Presbyterian Ladies College in Sydney. She has<br />
a Bachelor in Adult Education. They live in<br />
Broulee. Their children are Jesse, Zac <strong>and</strong><br />
Jordon. Jesse has a little girl, Teleah.<br />
Colin has two teenage girls, Acacia <strong>and</strong> Kalinda.<br />
He lives at Batemans Bay with Acacia <strong>and</strong><br />
Kalinda lives in Nowra with her mother Michelle<br />
Ferguson. Collin works as a labourer. He does a<br />
lot <strong>of</strong> writing <strong>and</strong> has a lot <strong>of</strong> knowledge; some<br />
<strong>of</strong> it was passed down to him from my Dad.<br />
Derek has four children they are: Melanie, Hope,<br />
William <strong>and</strong> Jemma. Melanie is married with<br />
two girls, Alysa <strong>and</strong> Gypsy Rose. They live in<br />
Canberra. Hope, William <strong>and</strong> Jemma live with<br />
their mother Susan Loyd in Narrabundah. Derek<br />
loves gardening; he worked in the Botanic<br />
Gardens in Sydney <strong>and</strong> as an electrician at<br />
Parliament House. He drove the bus for<br />
Winnunga Aboriginal Medical Centre in<br />
Canberra until recently. He is a labourer now<br />
doing contract work with archaeologists. He has<br />
moved to Batemans Bay from Canberra.<br />
Dennis passed away four years ago from motor<br />
neuron disease. He was married to Kim<br />
Longbottom. They had three children: Aaron,<br />
Alyse <strong>and</strong> Nicki. Kim <strong>and</strong> the girls still live in<br />
Canberra. Kim runs the Aboriginal Youth Centre<br />
in Erindale. Her <strong>and</strong> Dennis set that up, he used<br />
to work there as well. Before that he worked<br />
with Telecom <strong>and</strong> before that he was one <strong>of</strong><br />
Charlies Angels, he worked with Charles<br />
Perkins. Dennis did a lot <strong>of</strong> work with kids. He<br />
was a football coach <strong>and</strong> manager. He also<br />
worked in the different agencies <strong>and</strong> the lockup<br />
with youth.<br />
Michelle has two boys Stewart <strong>and</strong> Shane they<br />
are men now. Their father is Bernie (Buddy)<br />
Lul<strong>and</strong>. Shane <strong>and</strong> Jessica Maynard have two<br />
daughters Laela <strong>and</strong> Kadie, they live in Nowra.<br />
Michelle has made her home in Moruya. She<br />
works for Family Support but usually works with<br />
youth.<br />
Cheryl has a daughter Tamsin to Raymond<br />
Doyle <strong>of</strong> Kempsey. Her partner now is Donald<br />
Atkinson, they lived in Eden for ten years but<br />
they just moved to Kalaru just outside Tathra.<br />
Cheryl is a well-known Aboriginal artist, she<br />
runs an art co-op called Kari Yalla <strong>and</strong> works<br />
with Auswide in Bega.<br />
All the girls are really good cooks.<br />
Jason is a labourer, his partner is Rachel<br />
Wellington, <strong>and</strong> they have seven children.<br />
Adam, Raygan, Issacc, Caleb, Emily, Iris <strong>and</strong><br />
Seth. They live in Nowra. Jason has been doing<br />
some work with archaeologists in Bungendore.<br />
Leslie has worked with the Aboriginal Legal<br />
Service as the Senior Youth Officer. He did a<br />
Diploma in Law at Tranby College. He worked<br />
with Gadu Wadja as an Aboriginal Support<br />
Worker for men in Eden. He has worked with<br />
youth in Canberra <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
Housing in Queanbeyan. He lives in Canberra<br />
now.<br />
Lucy is the youngest <strong>of</strong> nine. Her partner is Peter<br />
Thomas, they have three children, Peter junior<br />
who will be seventeen next month, Mia who will<br />
be ten in May <strong>and</strong> they’ve just had a new baby<br />
Thomas John Dennis Davison. They live at East<br />
Nowra. Lucy’s first job was in Coles in Nowra.<br />
I want to move back to Moruya to be close to my<br />
kids <strong>and</strong> gr<strong>and</strong> kids.<br />
I would like to see all our people get on together.<br />
We just have to save our energy to fight the<br />
system, the racism <strong>and</strong> the negativity instead <strong>of</strong><br />
fighting one another.<br />
I also want people to know that Iris represents<br />
my family with my endorsement.<br />
Daught Davison<br />
Edward Walkers famous Bullock Team<br />
Coastal Custodians 5
Regional Managers<br />
Report<br />
This is the first Coastal Custodians for 2007. It<br />
should be a big year for us all.<br />
There’s plenty to catch up on. Summer was<br />
good – really good rain at the end <strong>and</strong> not too<br />
many fires, those that we did have were certainly<br />
challenging. We had a few lightning strikes in<br />
really inaccessible country, which we had to<br />
attack using remote fire fighting techniques.<br />
The Brogo fires were the most difficult;<br />
lightning strikes in January started a number <strong>of</strong><br />
fires in really rough country upstream <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Brogo Dam. They were eventually put out after<br />
burning about 450ha over a couple <strong>of</strong> weeks.<br />
Trisha Ellis <strong>and</strong> others were there <strong>and</strong> some <strong>of</strong><br />
her photos are in this edition.<br />
Refuelling the Helicopters at Brogo Helipad<br />
We’ve now started our autumn hazard reduction<br />
program. For local readers, some <strong>of</strong> the smoke<br />
(but by no means all) <strong>of</strong> the smoke you are<br />
seeing is coming from fires in the park.<br />
There’s one burn planned for Biamanga this<br />
autumn, but it’s a bit wet at the moment <strong>and</strong> we<br />
might not get it in. If we don’t the Board will<br />
need to decide whether it should go ahead next<br />
year.<br />
We are also planning to do a cultural burn at<br />
Stanton Rocks in South East Forests National<br />
Park. On the advice <strong>of</strong> elders, this burn has<br />
been planned to look after country.<br />
Helicopter with bucket<br />
Speaking <strong>of</strong> Trisha, she’s <strong>of</strong>f to Sydney on<br />
Monday to be awarded a Bachelor <strong>of</strong><br />
Community Management from Macquarie<br />
University. She will also be presented with an<br />
award for academic achievement.<br />
Congratulations Trisha, this is huge effort,<br />
especially given your work <strong>and</strong> community<br />
commitments. I don’t know how you have the<br />
time to do it all.<br />
After the election, National Parks is now part <strong>of</strong><br />
a bigger department called the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Climate</strong> <strong>Change</strong>. Its only just<br />
happening <strong>and</strong> I’ll be able to say some more in<br />
the next edition.<br />
Our new Minister is Phil Koperberg who up to<br />
recently was head <strong>of</strong> the Rural Fire Service.<br />
He’s taken over Bob Debus’s seat <strong>of</strong> Blue<br />
Mountains.<br />
The appointment <strong>of</strong> the Boards <strong>of</strong> Management<br />
for Gulaga <strong>and</strong> Biamanga was held up slightly<br />
because <strong>of</strong> the election. Now that it’s over it will<br />
be Minister Koperberg rather than Minister<br />
Debus who will be responsible for appointing the<br />
Boards. I know its been a while it but it should<br />
be finalised soon.<br />
Tim Shepherd<br />
Regional Manager<br />
Coastal Custodians 6
NSW <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong> Conservation<br />
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee<br />
Top row left to right: Stephen Ryan, James Ingram, Glenda Chalker, Victor Perry , Jason Field Bottom<br />
row left to right: Maureen O’Donnell, Viola Brown, Mary Duroux <strong>and</strong> Lavinia Duroux. (Yvonne Stewart<br />
is the other ACHAC member, but was unable to attend).<br />
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage<br />
Advisory Committee was established<br />
in 2006 with the primary role <strong>of</strong><br />
advising the Minister for the<br />
<strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong> the Director General<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Conservation on any matter relating to<br />
the identification, assessment <strong>and</strong><br />
management <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal cultural<br />
heritage in NSW.<br />
The <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Conservation sought nominations <strong>of</strong><br />
Aboriginal people involved in cultural<br />
heritage matters in their local<br />
communities <strong>and</strong> who have an<br />
underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> cultural heritage<br />
management issues.<br />
The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage<br />
Advisory Committee was appointed<br />
by the Minister for the <strong>Environment</strong> in<br />
March 2006. Committee members<br />
serve a term <strong>of</strong> three years <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Committees consists <strong>of</strong> one<br />
representative from the NSW<br />
Aboriginal L<strong>and</strong> Council <strong>and</strong> ten<br />
representatives nominated from<br />
either: Aboriginal Elders groups;<br />
registered native title claimants;<br />
<strong>and</strong>/or registered Aboriginal owners<br />
under the NSW Aboriginal L<strong>and</strong><br />
Rights Act 1983.<br />
The Minister for the <strong>Environment</strong><br />
inducted the Committee at their first<br />
workshop together at NSW<br />
Parliament House in May 2006. Since<br />
Coastal Custodians 7
the initial induction workshop the<br />
Committee has held three business<br />
meetings with the most recent held at<br />
Batemans Bay on 2 nd April 2007 to 3 rd<br />
April 2007.<br />
The Committee has developed <strong>and</strong><br />
endorsed the Committee Procedures,<br />
Terms <strong>of</strong> Reference <strong>and</strong> Code <strong>of</strong><br />
Conduct at their last business<br />
meeting. The Committee also<br />
developed <strong>and</strong> endorsed a Strategic<br />
Agenda with the primary vision <strong>of</strong><br />
ensuring:<br />
“Healthy Country cared for <strong>and</strong><br />
respected by all people, to maintain<br />
Aboriginal people’s spiritual <strong>and</strong><br />
physical connection from the past<br />
to the present <strong>and</strong> into the future”.<br />
To achieve their vision the Committee<br />
developed the following three goals:<br />
1. To make Aboriginal culture <strong>and</strong><br />
heritage front <strong>and</strong> centre in the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> policies to<br />
support the social <strong>and</strong> human<br />
development <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal<br />
people in NSW.<br />
2. To contribute to DEC being a<br />
culturally aware <strong>and</strong> respectful,<br />
credible, efficient <strong>and</strong> effective<br />
organisation.<br />
3. To provide sound advice based<br />
on the needs <strong>and</strong> aspirations <strong>of</strong><br />
the Aboriginal people <strong>of</strong> NSW.<br />
The Committee has established<br />
seven principles around which they<br />
will conduct their business:<br />
1. The Committee, in being<br />
representative <strong>of</strong> the Aboriginal<br />
community <strong>of</strong> NSW, acts as a<br />
voice in the interests <strong>and</strong><br />
aspirations <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal people<br />
in NSW <strong>and</strong> their cultural<br />
heritage.<br />
2. Aboriginal people have the right<br />
to self-determination – that is<br />
the right to determine the<br />
direction <strong>of</strong> their own social,<br />
cultural, economic <strong>and</strong> political<br />
development.<br />
3. Given Aboriginal peoples’<br />
custodial interests in Country,<br />
Aboriginal people have a<br />
responsibility to care for the<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>of</strong> NSW, its<br />
biodiversity <strong>and</strong> places <strong>of</strong><br />
particular cultural significance.<br />
4. Access to Country <strong>and</strong> its<br />
resources is essential so<br />
Aboriginal people can continue<br />
cultural practices, maintain links<br />
with the l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> care for<br />
Country.<br />
5. Aboriginal communities obtain<br />
cultural, social <strong>and</strong> economic<br />
benefits through being involved<br />
in environmental management<br />
<strong>and</strong> conservation.<br />
6. ACHAC promotes <strong>and</strong> supports<br />
partnerships between Aboriginal<br />
communities <strong>and</strong> DEC.<br />
7. ACHAC acts as advocate to<br />
promote awareness <strong>of</strong><br />
Aboriginal culture <strong>and</strong> heritage<br />
to other government agencies.<br />
The Committee has identified five<br />
priority areas they will consider that<br />
relate to the:<br />
• protection <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal cultural<br />
heritage,<br />
• underst<strong>and</strong>ing Aboriginal<br />
cultural heritage <strong>and</strong> managing<br />
heritage information/knowledge,<br />
• cultural identity/renewal,<br />
• managing l<strong>and</strong>s, gardens,<br />
terrestrial <strong>and</strong> marine parks,<br />
• building a working environment<br />
that affirms <strong>and</strong> respect<br />
Aboriginal culture.<br />
Coastal Custodians 8
Community Meetings<br />
to discuss<br />
“South Coast Voices”<br />
CD-ROM<br />
The Australian Institute <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal<br />
<strong>and</strong> Torres Strait Isl<strong>and</strong>er Studies<br />
(AIATSIS) is seeking community<br />
support for a new version <strong>of</strong> “South<br />
Coast Voices”. This CD-ROM<br />
showcases a small part <strong>of</strong> the AIATSIS<br />
collection relating to Aboriginal people<br />
on the south coast <strong>of</strong> NSW. It includes<br />
pictures (including those shown<br />
opposite), video <strong>and</strong> audio clips as well<br />
as printed text.<br />
“South Coast Voices” contains<br />
information from Aboriginal people<br />
who lived mainly at Wreck Bay,<br />
Roseby Park <strong>and</strong> Wallaga Lake <strong>and</strong> so<br />
I will be talking with representatives<br />
from those places to arrange meeting<br />
venues <strong>and</strong> times.<br />
Where: To be advised.<br />
When: June /July (See next issue <strong>of</strong><br />
Coastal Custodians.)<br />
Everyone is welcome<br />
Please come <strong>and</strong> have your say<br />
about the future <strong>of</strong> this<br />
important cultural resource!<br />
Pictured: Aunty Eileen Morgan with Gulaga in<br />
the background.<br />
Pictured: Uncle Percy <strong>and</strong> Frank Mumbler.<br />
Contact: Daphne Nash<br />
Email: daphne.nash@anu.edu.au<br />
Ph: 02 6125 4731<br />
Coastal Custodians 9
Dannielle Towers<br />
is<br />
Back on Board<br />
Hello everyone, I’m back <strong>and</strong> I now have a<br />
beautiful little girl Jarni Jo Marie who is 15<br />
months old. My goodness how time flies.<br />
I hope you all stayed well in my absence.<br />
Once again we are heading towards another new<br />
financial year (starts 1 July) which means we<br />
need your ideas for Aboriginal Heritage<br />
Conservation Projects program <strong>and</strong> nominations<br />
for Aboriginal place declarations. If you have<br />
ideas for projects <strong>and</strong> nominations give the<br />
relevant Aboriginal Heritage Conservation<br />
Officer in your area a call.<br />
If you have concerns regarding Aboriginal sites<br />
please call <strong>and</strong> we can discuss.<br />
NAIDOC is coming up <strong>and</strong> activities are planned<br />
up <strong>and</strong> down the coast. If we can help with your<br />
event give us a call.<br />
Look forward to seeing you all in the near future,<br />
Take care <strong>and</strong> stay deadly,<br />
Dannielle Towers<br />
Aboriginal Heritage Conservation Officer<br />
Southern Aboriginal Heritage Unit<br />
Cultural Heritage Division<br />
Ph: 02 44760841<br />
Fax: 02 44761793<br />
dannielle.towers@environment.nsw.gov.au<br />
In October 2005 the <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong> Conservation (DEC)<br />
<strong>and</strong> Forests NSW agreed to develop a<br />
Koala Management Framework for<br />
<strong>coastal</strong> <strong>and</strong> hinterl<strong>and</strong> areas <strong>of</strong><br />
southern NSW between the Tuross River<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Victorian border. The H<strong>and</strong>back<br />
National Parks (Biamanga <strong>and</strong> Gulaga)<br />
<strong>and</strong> nearby areas are within this study<br />
area.<br />
It was agreed that a high level <strong>of</strong><br />
community consultation should be<br />
undertaken prior to producing the<br />
Framework. Following consultation<br />
with DEC Aboriginal staff a separate<br />
project was initiated to gain the views<br />
<strong>and</strong> knowledge <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal people.<br />
This report summarises information<br />
gathered in this process to date. There<br />
are some key members <strong>of</strong> the Aboriginal<br />
community who still need be contacted,<br />
particularly those now living to the<br />
north <strong>of</strong> the study area. For this reason<br />
this document should be considered as<br />
a draft interim report, with further<br />
consultation needed.<br />
Consultation consisted <strong>of</strong> meetings,<br />
workshops <strong>and</strong> discussions with<br />
Aboriginal people <strong>and</strong> organisations <strong>and</strong><br />
was developed around the following<br />
questions:<br />
• Do you know where koalas are, or<br />
have been in recent times?<br />
• Have you any stories about<br />
koalas that you would like to<br />
share with us?<br />
• Why do you think koala numbers<br />
are so low in this region?<br />
• What support do you think that<br />
the Aboriginal community needs<br />
to assist the management <strong>of</strong> koala<br />
areas in the H<strong>and</strong>back National<br />
Parks?<br />
Coastal Custodians 10
FIGURE 1: BIAMANGA NP, RECENT KOALA RECORDS AND SUGGESTED ROUTE OF<br />
THE MUMBULLA/GULAGA ABORIGINAL WAY 1<br />
Legend<br />
Koala Records 1970-2004<br />
Koala Records 2003<br />
State Forests<br />
National Parks<br />
Private Forest<br />
Suggested routed <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Mumbulla/Gulaga Aboriginal<br />
Way<br />
MURRAH<br />
SF<br />
BIAMANGA<br />
BERMAGUI<br />
SF<br />
1 Blay, J. (2005) Bega Valley Region Old Path Ways And Trails Mapping Project, <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong> Conservation PO Box 656 Merimbula 2548<br />
Coastal Custodians 11
Information about a range <strong>of</strong> koala<br />
sightings from a <strong>coastal</strong> area east <strong>of</strong><br />
Bodalla to the Victorian border<br />
emerged. Some cultural information<br />
regarding Aboriginal people’s traditional<br />
connections with the Koala was also<br />
provided.<br />
Aboriginal people consistently provided<br />
four reasons why koala numbers had<br />
declined in the region: wildfire,<br />
predation, illness <strong>and</strong> logging. It was<br />
also suggested that the decline <strong>and</strong><br />
disappearance <strong>of</strong> the Koala was because<br />
<strong>of</strong> the high level <strong>of</strong> environmental <strong>and</strong><br />
cultural destruction that had occurred<br />
since European occupation.<br />
Aboriginal people see that the<br />
conservation <strong>of</strong> the Koala is important<br />
<strong>and</strong> they want to support the<br />
conservation <strong>and</strong> recovery <strong>of</strong> the species<br />
in partnership with the white<br />
community. But this can only occur<br />
through a higher level <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal<br />
involvement in broader conservation<br />
<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> management work. And to<br />
achieve this they need support,<br />
particularly in training <strong>and</strong> employment<br />
opportunities.<br />
Consistent themes emerged as to what<br />
kind <strong>of</strong> support was needed:<br />
• Educational opportunities for<br />
Aboriginal children <strong>and</strong> teenagers<br />
that focus on the local<br />
environment <strong>and</strong> Aboriginal<br />
culture should be enhanced<br />
through schools, TAFE, the local<br />
field studies centre <strong>and</strong> Culture<br />
Camps.<br />
• Educational kits need to be<br />
developed for Culture Camps <strong>and</strong><br />
other educational institutions<br />
that focus on past, existing <strong>and</strong><br />
potential contributions <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Aboriginal community to koala<br />
conservation <strong>and</strong> broader<br />
environmental subjects. These<br />
should vary in content so as<br />
reach young people <strong>of</strong> all ages.<br />
• Culture Camps provide important<br />
educational opportunities in the<br />
fields <strong>of</strong> Aboriginal culture,<br />
environment <strong>and</strong> leadership. They<br />
<strong>of</strong>fer opportunities for the<br />
Aboriginal community to teach<br />
their children in ways that more<br />
closely reflect their traditional<br />
culture.<br />
• Aboriginal women have a vital<br />
role to play in Culture Camps,<br />
particularly in teaching younger<br />
children <strong>of</strong> both sexes, <strong>and</strong><br />
teenage girls. There should be<br />
greater support to encourage their<br />
participation. This would be<br />
enhanced if Aboriginal women<br />
staff employed by DEC <strong>and</strong>/or the<br />
Board <strong>of</strong> Management for the<br />
H<strong>and</strong>back Parks had specific<br />
duties assisting in organising<br />
camps.<br />
• Additional training opportunities<br />
need to be available to older<br />
Aboriginal people in conservation<br />
<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong> management, leadership<br />
skills <strong>and</strong> cultural awareness.<br />
Training needs to be based in the<br />
bush <strong>and</strong> reflect Aboriginal<br />
culture as much as possible.<br />
• Work should be available for<br />
people who have undertaken<br />
training. Often, Aboriginal people<br />
have undertaken training but<br />
then employment in the field <strong>of</strong><br />
training is not available. This<br />
increases disillusionment <strong>and</strong><br />
alienation.<br />
• Training <strong>and</strong> ongoing work could<br />
be based to some extent on the<br />
re-establishment <strong>and</strong> ongoing<br />
management <strong>of</strong> traditional<br />
pathways in H<strong>and</strong>back national<br />
parks, using traditional<br />
management approaches<br />
(particularly those concerning fire<br />
management) as much as<br />
reasonably possible.<br />
• The establishment <strong>of</strong> a sanctuarybased<br />
approach to koala<br />
reintroduction <strong>and</strong> recovery<br />
should be considered. Aboriginal<br />
people working out <strong>of</strong> Jigamy<br />
Farm would particularly like to<br />
establish a wildlife sanctuary<br />
south <strong>of</strong> the Farm.<br />
Coastal Custodians 12
• Aboriginal people’s capacity to<br />
contribute to conservation <strong>and</strong><br />
park management initiatives<br />
would be enhanced with the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> resource <strong>and</strong><br />
visitors centres near to the<br />
H<strong>and</strong>back Parks.<br />
The drawing together <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> these<br />
themes raises the possibility that<br />
training <strong>and</strong> ongoing work for<br />
Aboriginal people could be focussed in<br />
part in the area to the west <strong>and</strong> north <strong>of</strong><br />
where the Biamanga NP breeding<br />
association <strong>of</strong> koalas is centred.<br />
These activities could be based on<br />
developing traditional management<br />
approaches (particularly around fire<br />
management), re-establishing<br />
traditional pathways <strong>and</strong> undertaking<br />
surveys <strong>and</strong> monitoring for koalas <strong>and</strong><br />
other threatened fauna.<br />
Such an approach would achieve the<br />
following outcomes:<br />
• It would broaden <strong>and</strong> deepen our<br />
knowledge <strong>of</strong>, <strong>and</strong> capacity to<br />
monitor the Biamanga NP breeding<br />
association <strong>of</strong> koalas.<br />
• It would assist in reducing what is<br />
probably the greatest threat facing<br />
these koalas; that <strong>of</strong> wildfire <strong>and</strong><br />
associated back-burning.<br />
• It would provide the Aboriginal<br />
community with training<br />
opportunities <strong>and</strong> the prospect <strong>of</strong><br />
making an important contribution to<br />
koala conservation in SENSW.<br />
• It would provide opportunities to<br />
trial traditional Aboriginal burning<br />
practices in forested areas <strong>of</strong><br />
SENSW.<br />
• It would provide a range <strong>of</strong> training<br />
opportunities in fire management,<br />
wildlife monitoring <strong>and</strong> associated<br />
skills for young <strong>and</strong> older Aboriginal<br />
people.<br />
• It would enhance community-based<br />
fire management approaches that<br />
are being developed by l<strong>and</strong>holders<br />
to the east <strong>of</strong> this breeding<br />
association <strong>of</strong> koalas.<br />
Acknowledgements<br />
Aboriginal people’s sharing <strong>of</strong><br />
information <strong>and</strong> views about koalas <strong>and</strong><br />
their management is gratefully<br />
acknowledged.<br />
Lynne Thomas & Chris Allen<br />
<strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> <strong>and</strong><br />
Conservation.<br />
Readers <strong>of</strong> Coastal Custodians who<br />
travel the Princes Highway south <strong>of</strong><br />
Tilba will have noticed a new building<br />
that has been constructed at the<br />
location where the Gulaga / Biamanga<br />
H<strong>and</strong>back took place in May last year.<br />
It is an amenities building that contains<br />
two toilets that can accommodate<br />
persons with disabilities <strong>and</strong> a sports<br />
equipment storage room. It has been<br />
built by Eurobodalla Shire Council in<br />
order to provide for the needs <strong>of</strong> people<br />
during events at the Tilba Sports field.<br />
Trisha Ellis has invited me to tell you<br />
about the building <strong>and</strong> how I see it<br />
fitting into the l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>and</strong> to the<br />
Cultural Plan for our shire.<br />
There is no doubt in my mind that the<br />
impact <strong>of</strong> the H<strong>and</strong>back <strong>and</strong> the<br />
ceremonies that were performed there<br />
that day was pr<strong>of</strong>oundly felt by<br />
everyone who attended. The depth <strong>of</strong><br />
pride that we all shared will not be<br />
forgotten, <strong>and</strong> it made me appreciate<br />
even more keenly the significance <strong>of</strong> the<br />
site. I am thankful that Council<br />
entrusted me with the responsibility <strong>of</strong><br />
designing <strong>and</strong> building a structure in<br />
such a beautiful <strong>and</strong> important place.<br />
Coastal Custodians 13
Its position between Gulaga <strong>and</strong><br />
Najanuga <strong>and</strong> its obvious presence in<br />
the open cultural l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>of</strong> the Tilba<br />
Valley meant that a modest yet high<br />
quality building was the only option.<br />
Council has been prepared to go the<br />
extra yards by ensuring that the<br />
building is a highly durable, st<strong>and</strong>alone<br />
structure that needs no outside<br />
energy or water inputs in order to<br />
function. It has a state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art<br />
‘Biolytix’ effluent disposal system, solar<br />
power <strong>and</strong> an in-ground 5000-litre<br />
rainwater storage tank. As such it is the<br />
first fully integrated energy <strong>and</strong> water<br />
efficient structure that council has<br />
created <strong>and</strong> it sets a precedent for<br />
future public works throughout the<br />
shire.<br />
Two Wallaga Lake Community men,<br />
Hayden Briggs <strong>and</strong> Mervyn Naylor,<br />
apprenticed to plumber Mick Cosgrove<br />
from Bermagui, have put a lot <strong>of</strong> work<br />
into the building <strong>and</strong> were<br />
photographed recently whilst doing the<br />
final fitting out <strong>and</strong> water connections<br />
to the buildings’ infrastructure.<br />
The design fits with the requirements <strong>of</strong><br />
the Tilba Conservation Area. It follows<br />
the model <strong>of</strong> an outbuilding where<br />
hardwood slab construction, rather<br />
than the usual weatherboard cladding,<br />
has been used. At present the building<br />
is still shiny-bright in its newness, but<br />
with time it will become less<br />
conspicuous as the timber goes grey in<br />
the sun <strong>and</strong> the zincalume ro<strong>of</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tens.<br />
Tree planting in the post-<strong>and</strong>-rail<br />
enclosure <strong>of</strong>f the building will also help<br />
to lessen its impact by providing a<br />
backdrop when viewed from the<br />
highway, <strong>and</strong> will also partly obscure it<br />
when viewed from Corkhill Drive. The<br />
idea is that as time goes by the building<br />
will disappear into the environment,<br />
looking like an old slab hut in the<br />
middle <strong>of</strong> a paddock.<br />
However it is only when you get near to<br />
it that the building will express its wider<br />
cultural story.<br />
A protective concrete apron that<br />
surrounds the structure <strong>and</strong> the<br />
ver<strong>and</strong>ah floors have been painted red,<br />
yellow <strong>and</strong> black by members <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Work-for-the-Dole team who helped me<br />
over a three month period. Four Koori<br />
men, two from Bodalla, one from<br />
Narooma <strong>and</strong> a Wallaga Lake man were<br />
part <strong>of</strong> that team.<br />
The interior <strong>of</strong> the toilets will feature a<br />
Native Flora Display (to a captive<br />
audience) that is composed <strong>of</strong><br />
photographic panels <strong>of</strong> locally<br />
indigenous wildflowers, shrubs <strong>and</strong><br />
trees photographed between Bermagui<br />
<strong>and</strong> Moruya over the last two years. The<br />
common, scientific <strong>and</strong> family names<br />
accompany each image, but in addition<br />
to this I have been able to include<br />
Coastal Custodians 14
names <strong>of</strong> plants from two language<br />
groups, Dhurga <strong>and</strong> Djirringan, that are<br />
immediate to the H<strong>and</strong>back site.<br />
I wish to extend my thanks to Kerry<br />
Boyenga, Waine Donovan, Trisha Ellis,<br />
Lorraine Naylor, Pam Fl<strong>and</strong>ers, Lynne<br />
Thomas <strong>and</strong> Ashley Reid for the<br />
assistance they have given in<br />
embedding this vital cultural learning<br />
into the building. Apart from the<br />
sporting <strong>and</strong> cultural events that the<br />
Sports field will provide to the entire<br />
community, the building is a point <strong>of</strong><br />
connection where Aboriginal Cultural<br />
Heritage, Natural Heritage <strong>and</strong> Non-<br />
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage can meet.<br />
Pictured: Trevor King, Lynne Thomas &<br />
Ashley Reid at Umbarra.<br />
In terms <strong>of</strong> the recently created<br />
Eurobodalla Shire Cultural Plan it can<br />
make a positive contribution to some <strong>of</strong><br />
the identified directions <strong>of</strong> the plan<br />
including:<br />
• Making provision for <strong>and</strong><br />
promoting cultural use <strong>of</strong><br />
district/local facilities<br />
• Providing public places <strong>and</strong> spaces<br />
that reflect <strong>and</strong> celebrate<br />
community identity<br />
• Providing opportunities for active<br />
participation in expression <strong>and</strong><br />
celebration <strong>of</strong> community identity<br />
<strong>and</strong> heritage<br />
• Fostering the development <strong>of</strong><br />
environmental sustainability that<br />
builds on community cultural<br />
values <strong>and</strong> visions<br />
• Conserving, enhancing <strong>and</strong><br />
protecting biodiversity in<br />
Eurobodalla<br />
The Statement <strong>of</strong> Cultural Values that<br />
underpins the plan (which itself<br />
underpins all other plans for the shire)<br />
includes the Statement <strong>of</strong> Reconciliation<br />
<strong>and</strong> Commitment that reads:<br />
“The particular relationship that<br />
Aboriginal communities have with the<br />
l<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> their culture is honoured,<br />
respected <strong>and</strong> recognized as influential<br />
for all the community.”<br />
Further on in the document is a<br />
cultural value that also influenced the<br />
decision to request input from the<br />
Aboriginal community.<br />
“Recognition that many great cultural<br />
events [the H<strong>and</strong>back] <strong>and</strong> individual<br />
works <strong>of</strong> art [the building] act as<br />
wellsprings that transform <strong>and</strong> connect<br />
us to our common humanity, therefore<br />
making a vital contribution to social<br />
cohesion.”<br />
Finally in the plan there are<br />
principles that place value on<br />
respect for differing modes <strong>of</strong><br />
cultural belonging, knowing <strong>and</strong><br />
expression <strong>and</strong> that recognize,<br />
respect <strong>and</strong> encourage the coexistence<br />
<strong>of</strong> differing cultural<br />
values. Echoing these<br />
sentiments <strong>and</strong> the importance<br />
<strong>of</strong> the values expressed in the<br />
Cultural Plan, I hope that the<br />
Tilba Sports field becomes a<br />
place <strong>of</strong> healing, where people<br />
come not only to play, but also<br />
to enjoy meeting <strong>and</strong> walking<br />
our cultural pathways together<br />
in the true spirit <strong>of</strong><br />
reconciliation.<br />
Trevor King<br />
Coastal Custodians 15
Eurobodalla Shire Council Media Release - 13 March 2007<br />
Calling Eurobodalla's Aboriginal artists<br />
to exhibit<br />
A unique opportunity for Aboriginal artists in the Eurobodalla to display their work<br />
is fast approaching. With support from Eurobodalla Shire Council, the Going<br />
Public program will present its first Aboriginal Art Exhibition in the Moruya<br />
Mechanics Institute in October this year.<br />
Local Aboriginal artists over the age <strong>of</strong> eighteen can bring examples <strong>of</strong> their<br />
artworks to The Mechanics Institute in Page Street Moruya on Saturday 24 March<br />
between 1pm <strong>and</strong> 4pm. Artworks can be in any medium, for example, painting,<br />
wood carving, sculpture or weaving.<br />
On the day, artists will meet highly acclaimed Eden-based artist, Cheryl Davison<br />
in the first <strong>of</strong> a series <strong>of</strong> free workshops to prepare for the exhibition. Cheryl has<br />
been practicing her work for some 20 years <strong>and</strong> is a founding member <strong>of</strong> the Kari<br />
Yalla Aboriginal Artists Cooperative in Eden <strong>and</strong> is in the Eurobodalla to share her<br />
expertise with local artists.<br />
In this first workshop, Cheryl will find out who wants to be involved <strong>and</strong> what<br />
support is needed for artists to make <strong>and</strong> present new work for the exhibition.<br />
Cheryl wants the workshop program leading up to the exhibition in October to be<br />
designed so that participating artists have the appropriate support so that there<br />
are as many entries as possible for this exciting exhibition In October.<br />
If you want to know more about participating, please contact Cheryl Davison on<br />
0431 736 956.<br />
Media Contact:<br />
Penny Bonnell, SEAR<br />
Ph 4474 1088 or mobile 0429 909 432<br />
Cheryl Davison, Workshop Tutor<br />
Ph 0431 736956<br />
Trisha Ellis is a Eurobodalla Artist who is assisting Cheryl <strong>and</strong> undertaking the<br />
networking <strong>and</strong> liaison in the local communities for the workshops <strong>and</strong> the<br />
exhibition.<br />
Phone 0428 660432<br />
Coastal Custodians 16
NPWS South Coast Region has a comprehensive<br />
<strong>and</strong> flexible range <strong>of</strong> educational activities for<br />
primary <strong>and</strong> secondary school students in the<br />
Illawarra, South Coast <strong>and</strong> Southern Highl<strong>and</strong>s.<br />
If you happened to be at the Bermagui Seaside<br />
Fair on Saturday the 10 th <strong>of</strong> March you would<br />
have had the opportunity to see the National<br />
Parks School Education van. The van features<br />
true to life exhibits <strong>of</strong> native animals <strong>and</strong> the<br />
environment. The host <strong>of</strong> educational displays<br />
attracted a wide audience throughout the day as<br />
did the show bags <strong>and</strong> free h<strong>and</strong>outs.<br />
Pictured here having a well-deserved rest is Alex<br />
Simpson Project Officer Batemans Marine Park<br />
Marine Parks Authority Narooma, Pat Hall<br />
Manager Education Information <strong>and</strong> Tourism<br />
based at Nowra <strong>and</strong> Barbara Allgaier Discovery<br />
Co-ordinator based at Merimbula.<br />
The artwork on the side <strong>of</strong> the National Parks<br />
School Education van also attracted it’s fair<br />
share <strong>of</strong> attention <strong>and</strong> appreciation as it travelled<br />
the coast roads. The artist is Jason Murray a<br />
Wiradjuri man who works in the Nowra area as a<br />
Discovery Ranger. Jason is pictured here with<br />
Deirdre Martin also a Discovery Ranger.<br />
The education program specifically addresses<br />
relevant units <strong>of</strong> the HSIE <strong>and</strong> Science &<br />
Technology syllabus. Activities can be located in<br />
national parks, schools or in any suitable natural<br />
environment in accordance with student <strong>and</strong><br />
teacher needs.<br />
Trained, experienced Discovery rangers conduct<br />
program activities that produce outcomes aligned<br />
with school syllabus. Flexibility is a major<br />
component <strong>of</strong> the program. Units may be<br />
delivered in various combinations as required.<br />
Focus day programs can be developed for a<br />
variety <strong>of</strong> topics to suit individual schools.<br />
Please discuss your particular syllabus topics <strong>and</strong><br />
desired outcomes when making enquiry. Fees are<br />
charged for all activities – costs vary according<br />
to requirements. For further information <strong>and</strong><br />
bookings contact the Discovery Co-ordinator on<br />
02 4422 2323.<br />
Coastal Custodians 17
Saturday, 20 th <strong>of</strong> January 2007 by the Honourable<br />
Gary Nairn Member for Eden-Monaro, Special<br />
Minister for State.<br />
Prior to the opening ceremony a number <strong>of</strong> energetic<br />
enthusiasts walked the Dreaming Track (8.0 kms),<br />
starting from Congo Point in the north <strong>and</strong> taking in<br />
the scenic views at Meringo Headl<strong>and</strong>, Mulimburra<br />
Point, Grey Rocks <strong>and</strong> Bingie point.<br />
The track is situated within parts <strong>of</strong> the Eurobodalla<br />
National Park <strong>and</strong> features spectacular l<strong>and</strong>scapes.<br />
The geology <strong>of</strong> the area includes granite platforms,<br />
shale, s<strong>and</strong>stone <strong>and</strong> basalt. In areas the basalt is<br />
covered with young quartz-rich s<strong>and</strong>stone <strong>and</strong><br />
gravels, some <strong>of</strong> which has been cemented to form<br />
silcrete. A large proportion <strong>of</strong> the Aboriginal stone<br />
artefacts on the South Coast were made from silcrete<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Congo/Bingie area is home to a number <strong>of</strong><br />
silcrete quarries, campsites, shell middens <strong>and</strong><br />
occupation sites.<br />
While walking the track you are likely to spot<br />
macropods such as the eastern grey kangaroo, rednecked<br />
wallabies <strong>and</strong> swamp wallabies. Brush-tailed<br />
<strong>and</strong> ring-tailed possums inhabit the thick shrub <strong>of</strong> the<br />
National Park, as does the echidna. Keen eyes may<br />
spot the marsupial rat that is a staple diet <strong>of</strong> the local<br />
goannas <strong>and</strong> snakes. Along the estuaries are the<br />
elegant egrets, high-stepping white-faced herons <strong>and</strong><br />
wait <strong>and</strong> watch cormorants.<br />
Threatened species such as the greater broad-nosed<br />
bat, the grey-headed flying fox, both the glossy black<br />
<strong>and</strong> the gang gang cockatoos, the powerful owl <strong>and</strong><br />
the masked owl have all been spotted in the area. You<br />
may also spot some threatened shorebirds including<br />
the red-billed pied oystercatchers, the vulnerable<br />
s<strong>and</strong>erling or the endangered sooty oystercatcher.<br />
In his opening speech Warwick Stone acknowledged<br />
the efforts <strong>and</strong> support <strong>of</strong> Envir<strong>of</strong>und, NPWS, Bingi<br />
L<strong>and</strong>care Group, ESC, Cobowra LALC, Peter<br />
Spurway, Huon Hassall, Rudi Langeveld, John<br />
Fisher, Stuart Whitelaw, <strong>and</strong> Kathy Peck.<br />
Pictured: Patricia Ellis Chairperson Cobowra LALC, Chris Kowal Councillor ESC, Pam Green Chairperson SR CMA,<br />
Andrew Constance Member for Bega, The Honourable Gary Nairn Member for Eden-Monaro, Special Minister for<br />
State <strong>and</strong> Warwick Stone Bingie Residents Association.<br />
Coastal Custodians 18
Coastal Custodians 19
Calendar <strong>of</strong> Events<br />
March<br />
Thursday 1 st St David’s Day<br />
Saturday 17 th St Patrick’s Day<br />
Saturday 24 th Aboriginal Art<br />
Workshop Mechanics<br />
Institute Page Street<br />
Moruya.<br />
April<br />
Thursday 5 th School Holidays<br />
to (NSW)<br />
Friday 20 th<br />
Friday 6 th Good Friday<br />
Sunday 8 th Easter Sunday<br />
Monday 9 th Easter Monday<br />
Monday 23 rd St George’s Day<br />
Wednesday 25 th ANZAC Day<br />
Subscription details<br />
Please fill in the following details to<br />
receive your copy <strong>of</strong> future quarterly<br />
newsletters <strong>and</strong> forward them to:<br />
Trisha Ellis<br />
Joint Management Coordinator<br />
Parks & Wildlife Division<br />
<strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Environment</strong> &<br />
Conservation<br />
PO Box 282<br />
Narooma NSW 2546<br />
Telephone: 02 44760846<br />
Facsimile: 02 44761793<br />
Mobile: 04 28660432<br />
Email:<br />
trisha.ellis@environment.nsw.gov.au<br />
Name: ___________________________<br />
Address:<br />
_________________________________<br />
_________________________________<br />
_________________________________<br />
Postcode: _________ State: _________<br />
Telephone:______________________<br />
Facsimile:_______________________<br />
Mobile:_________________________<br />
Note: Photocopies <strong>of</strong> back issues available on<br />
request or visit the website on:<br />
www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/conte<br />
nt/<strong>coastal</strong>_custodian_newsletter<br />
Coastal Custodians 20