GLaWACNews

Issue 12 – Spring 2014

Inside this issueElders Council, Board Membersand Staff.................................... 2CEO Report................................3Crew News................................ 4The Secret River......................... 5Vale Uncle Albert.....................6-9TOLMB Update........................ 10Oral History Project.................. 11Leisure and Pleasure................ 12PV Campsite Bookings............ 13Financial Report....................... 14Gippsland Lakes Reserve.........15

Elders, Board and StaffBoard MembersUncle Robert Critch – ChairpersonUncle Lloyd Hood – Vice ChairpersonAunty Fay Voss – SecretaryLee-Anne Eddington – TreasurerAunty Shirley FosterBarry KennyShane O’ShannasyAunty Madge Siely

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Administration StaffBarry Kenny – CEO Lisa Giblin – JM CoordinatorKirstyn O’Hehir – ReceptionistKirstie Pearce – General ManagerBrendan Vollemaere – NRM Manager Lyn Wallace – Business Manager

Cover shot: Uncle Albert Mullett

Below and right: A couple of stillpics taken by Storyscape for usein the DVD being produced called‘Gunaikurnai - Our Journey’

Elders’ CouncilAunty Sheila Baksh Aunty Beryl BoothUncle Robert CritchAunty Margaret DonnellyAunty Shirley FosterAunty Maria HarrisonUncle Lloyd HoodAunty Joyce HoodAunty Irene LeonAunty Madge SielyCharmaine SingletonAunty Betty SolomonAunty Glenis SolomonAunty Fay Voss

Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation193-197 Macleod Street (PO Box 1699)

Bairnsdale Victoria 3875t 03) 5152 5100 • f 03) 5152 1666

e admin@glawac.com.au • www.glawac.com.au

CEO ReportWelcome members,it's that time again; I hope you find thisnewsletter informativeand as exciting as Ifeel the direction inwhich the corporationis heading.We have began sending out factsheets to all members to informthem of the way our corporation isoperating, and update you aboutmining and employment and othermatters concerning GLaWAC. Ifyou as members have any queriesplease feel free to contact theoffice, we intend sending these factsheets out on regular basis.

We have employed BrendanVollemaere as our Natural ResourceManager; Brendan comes to uswith very good qualifications. SinceBrendan's employment the NRMbusiness has gone ahead in leapsand bounds. We have securedcontracts with the CatchmentManagement Authorities and arealso working with Parks Victoriaand Department of Environmentand Primary Industries on sprayingand weed control programs.

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The NRM crew has and will beinvolved in more training to providethem with the skills needed toenable us to tender for morecontracts in other fields.

Our firewood enterprise continuesto bring in a good profit. We areworking with Jemena who aredeveloping a conditioning plant atNewmerella, they will be clearingthe land and we want to secure allthe timber for our firewoodenterprise; this will help our profitsas we won't need to buy logs fromVic Forest. If you're interested inbeing part of the NRM team pleasedrop your resume into Brendan andas positions become available youwill be considered.

Joint management continues togrow with the rangers enjoying theirwork in the field, Parks Victoria hasentered the next 12 months phasein the works schedule for ourrangers. Storyscape has beenworking with the rangers to finalisea new DVD titled 'Gunaikurnai - TheJourney'. We are looking formembers to assist with the DVD,this would involve being interviewedand telling your story as aGunaikurnai person growing up inGippsland. The ladies fromStoryscape will be in contact withelders to arrange interviews in thenear future.

Our rangers are working hard toshow the wider community that weare capable managers of our landas traditional owners.

We are still waiting on the EastGippsland Shire to issue us with a building permit to allow us tocommence on our new worksdepot next door, once this hasbeen issued we will start laying the bitumen and then erect thebuildings. This will complete theworks depot and allow the workersto have their own offices and shedsto house the machinery.

It was extremely sad to receive thenews of the passing of a respectedelder Uncle Albert Mullet; UncleAlbert played a big part inestablishing GLaWAC alongsideother hardworking elders, histireless dedication to his peoplemade him determined to get nativetitle and recognition for all of us.GLaWAC is very proud that thiscorporation was established fromall their hard work. He will begreatly missed by all people thatknew him. On a personal note I would like to express my sadness on the loss of a greatmentor and friend.

Barry KennyGLaWAC CEO

1. Department of Environment and Primary Industries (DEPI)

2. Parks Victoria (PV)3. VicForest4. West Gippsland Catchment

Management Authority (EGCMA)5. East Gippsland Catchment

Management Authority (WGCMA)6. Cameron Outdoor7. Wellington Shire Council8. VicRoads9. Trust For Nature10.Greening Australia and 11.Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner

Land Management Board (GKTOLMB), all on our books

All this has put the team in a goodplace with spring around the corner.So for anyone interested in joiningus in growing the enterprise pleasedrop your resume into reception atour office and we hope to talk toyou in the near future.

Along with all the changes we arepleased to say that it is not just theNRM team but the GLaWAC crewwith the Rangers and the NRM

Crew NewsIt has been achallenging wintersettling in as NRMManager with a focuson consolidation of theprograms; both theNatural ResourceManagement (NRM)and Joint Management(JM Ranger) programs.Many changes have occurred withnew equipment purchased, teamsestablished, client base expandedand operating systems evolved.This has resulted in the NRM teamexpanding to 14 people, having fivenew crew commencing recently.

We have consolidated many newclients including a revitalisation ofexisting clients to name a few:

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people working much more closelywhich provides a much better frontto the public, so really the GLaWACTEAM has broken 20 people andgrowing fast.

Spring will see everyone back out inthe field and preparing for the fireseason, attacking the annual weedprogram, pest animal control,planting and advancing the team’sskills working with our friends,partners and clients furtherincreasing our presence andcontribution to the broadercommunity.

As you travel around this beautifulregion we share, as the warmerdays approach, you will noticesome of the work the rangers havebeen doing with new park entrysigns being installed across the 10 jointly managed parks and thenthere are the repair works alsodone by the team.

Brendan VollemaereNRM Business Manager

Below left: The JM Rangerssharing their good work of theCooringle Foreshore walkway,While the Female Rangers areproud of the new entry signs (right)

The Secret River

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A mini-series fortelevision – RubyEntertainment andABC Television haveteamed up to developa major mini-series of‘The Secret River’,which commencedproduction on countryearly August 2014. The screenplay for this 2-partdrama is being written by Oscarnominated Jan Sardi (Shine, Mao’sLast Dancer, The Notebook, Love’sBrother) and Mac Gudgeon (LastRide, Killing Time, Halifax)

The Secret River will be producedby Ruby Entertainment’s StephenLuby (Crackerjack, Bed of Roses,Stiff, The Murray WhelanTelemovies). ABC ExecutiveProducer will be Sue Masters.

Director is Daina Reid, one ofAustralia’s most successful youngdirectors, with credits including thefeature I Love You Too (StarringPeter Dinklage); hit long running TV series Offspring; and recently a string of top rating television mini-series - Paper Giants, MagazineWars, Howzat (the story of WorldSeries Cricket) and the recentlycompleted Never Tear Us Apart (the story of iconic band INXS).

“The Secret River is a profound andmoving story that has captivated itsreaders. It’s wonderful that ABC TVcan help bring such an iconic,landmark novel to a broaderAustralian audience.’ said CaroleSklan, Head of ABC TV Fiction.

Producer, Stephen Luby said; ”It’s a great privilege to be working withABC TV on a project whichpromises to be not only wonderfulviewing, but is truly about us, aboutAustralia. When I first read KateGrenville’s novel, I felt it was a storythat all Australians should have theopportunity to encounter. Thiscollaboration with ABC TV offersjust such an opportunity.”

The Secret River will be a landmark2x90 minute mini-series. Itpromises to be a major eventtelevision event; a compellinghistorical drama and a love storythat echoes the world’scontemporary struggles withpersonal and cultural upheaval anddisplacement.

The corporation was contacted towelcome the cast and crew to theregion by doing a Welcome toCountry prior to filming; AuntyMadge Siely was taken to the set at Devil’s Hole in Lake Tyers StatePark early hours one very cold,frosty morning to welcome theteam to Gunaikurnai country.

Top images: on set with props,cast and crew

Bottom (left to right) - Stephen Luby (Producer), Angelina Hurley(Indigenous Consultant), AuntyMadge Siely, Lyn Wallace(GLaWAC Business Manager) and Morgan Smallbone (CastingDirector).

A Tribute andCelebration of Uncle Albert Mullett (1933 - 2014)Albert Mullett’s teachings were as astoryteller. He would sit you down, tell you to take off your watches, tolisten and learn. He would greet youwith a smile or the spear.

Albert liked to tell a story, we areprivileged to honour him and his way.This is his story...

Albert Mullett would think for a minuteand start with “I remember when” or“when I think about”…

He had an incredible memory fordates, places and people from thetimes he travelled around and peoplehe met along the way. He was a manof vision for his people andcommunity. He had a very busypublic life. His wife, Rachel says “shegave up trying to keep up becausehe was always on the go to ameeting or talk”.

Albert also lived a humble life, heloved his wife, Rachel, family, dogs,community, extended family, golf,fishing, camping and a good yarn. He liked Rae’s soup, a good dance, a smooth whisky, the Tigers and abeer with the boys. He liked to watcha lot sport on television, tennis,cricket, football and golf. He worriedabout the troubles in the world, about the people and the animals.

Albert Mullett was who he was topeople but to his family, he was afather, grandfather, great grandfather,an Uncle to his many nieces andnephews, his extended family,adopted sons and nieces, he treatedeveryone with love and respect. But ifyou did not ‘pay respect’ he soon letyou know. And there are many whocould recall if you were one of thosewho got told.

Vale Uncle Albert

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Many people he considered as good,close friends like family, but he alsomade enemies and some are evenfamily. He often spoke of the ‘knives’in his back but always said “I’m atough old blackfella” and “I need todo what I need to do.”

He was always a ‘straight shooter’when dealing with family, bureaucrats,lawyers, politicians, governmentagencies and community.

At meetings, that he either chaired or attended he would not be afraid to ask the questions, not be afraid to say what he thought needed to be said and not be afraid to offend,he often said to department people,“I don’t work for the government’ and “I want you to tell me”. This oftenput people including his own at oddswith him but that didn’t bother himone bit.

And there was the Albert Mullett who loved to play and dance with his dogs, listen to his country andwestern music, be the first on thedance floor and the last one off, mix it with the boys. Golf was always ‘men’sbusiness’ and most of his grandsonsplay golf, some prefer fishing. Everyyear for most of his life at Christmashe camped at Mystery Bay withfamily and extended family, andcaught up with the ‘mob’ along thecoast. He loved being on the water inhis boat fishing, but his boat wasn’talways high priority in maintenance.His son-in-law Laurie remembersbeing half way out to Gabo Islandand the steering cable snapped andhe had to steer the motor with hislegs in rough sea back to the jetty.

Rachel has always been the love ofhis life; they were girlfriend andboyfriend from when they were veryyoung. He followed her family frombean paddock to bean paddock allthe way up and down the New SouthWales and Victorian coast fromDrouin to Sydney. They have been ahappily married couple for sixty years.

Albert loved to tease his grandchildren,his great grandchildren particularlythe girls, when he’d asked them togive Poppy a big, sloppy kiss he wouldpout his lips to always get a bite! Hecontinued this everyday with Rachelwhen she cared for him and wouldalways say “your mother and I arehaving a dustup,” anything to get abite…or he was going to get hischainsaw and divide the house in half.

He could freeze your actions with aword, or a look but he could charmwith his toothless smile. In case youdon’t know why he was toothless healways told the kids that he ate toomany lollies. The nurses, and visitorsto the house spoke of Uncle Albertwho always gave them a smile.

Albert Mullett is a proud descendantof his people; his great grandparentsHarry and Emily Stevens came fromRamahyuck Mission near Sale. Emilywas an outspoken woman whoactively wrote many letters to theAboriginal Protection Board on behalfof her people. His grandfather DavidMullett, a Gunditjmara man marriedhis grandmother Maude atRamahyuck, she also was proactivein writing letters on behalf of herpeople. His grandfather played asignificant role in Albert’s early life.Albert was proud of his grandfatherwho was a roughrider in theLighthorse 1st Remount Unit, 2ndSquadron in WW1 under BanjoPaterson, his grandfather travelled toEgypt, and was a skilled horseman.Albert was also very proud that hewas a teacher who wrote to theAboriginal Protection Board on behalfof his people.

His mother Rita and his extendedfamily, his maternal grandparents,and his maternal aunt and uncleraised Albert. He had six brothers;the authorities took two of them in1934. He asked his daughter Doris to help him try to find them and helpfrom Link-up, she found them.

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Vale Uncle AlbertHis work ethic came from workingwith his Aunt Nelly and Uncle Les inthe bean paddock, living with hisfamily in camps on the fringes oftowns and in places like Jackson’strack. As a child he saw how thepolice treated his people; which lefthim with memories he would neverforget. They were always a part of his storytelling.

During the Second World War, Albert Mullett lived with his family inMelbourne before moving to Jackson’sTrack near Drouin. He talked as ayoung man, about walking miles toschool, picking beans and when hefirst noticed Rachel. He loved todance and he went to many dancesat the mission at Wallaga Lake andLake Tyers where he said the youngfellas would sneak in a ‘charge’ andswing it all night. If he didn’t stay withfamily he slept in the bush. He spenttime yarning with elders where theyshared stories, songs and knowledge;this was his best education. It was inthese camps the police and authoritiesharassed families, this left Albert witha lasting impression of the injusticestowards his people.

His wife, Rachel recalls their earlyyears of almost being in the sameplace at the same time from a veryearly age because there families allmoved around for work. Albert neverlearned to swim and mum recallswhen they were at Cooper’s Islandnear Moruya, with the ‘mob’, theother young men would swim over tothe island but Albert would dive offunder water to the island.

When Albert Mullett was allowed tocourt Mum he always had to ‘shout’her chaperones’, her cousins, to thepictures. They walked fromNewmerella into town; from Drouininto town in a big mob. He always had money to pay his way. It hasbeen a lifelong value. Working hardand in his words “earning ourstanding alongside anyone.”

They were both deceased at a veryearly age and buried at Stawell inWestern Victoria.

Albert’s family was forcibly removedfrom Lake Tyers mission when hewas very young. The Mullett’s lived on what is known as Mullett’s Islandoff Lake Tyers, he often told the storyof the family sneaking over to themission at night to visit family. Hisfamily moved with seasonal workbetween East Gippsland and theSouth Coast of New South Walescamping with other families. Theycamped along the same places to do bean picking, and workedbetween school holidays and alwaysin the bean paddock.

His mother, brothers, maternal AuntNelly, Uncle Les, sister Marg andteachings from his Elders andtravelling around gave Albert hissense of who he was. From them he learned love, respect, hard workand his cultural knowledge and ways.Albert would give his money from hispocket to help anyone. His generousnature extended to food, bed andclothes. He always felt they hadenough to share. That was his way of looking after family and community.

He always talked about going to a‘whitefella school’ in Fitzroy wherethey were put in the remedial class.He decided at a very early age thattype of learning wasn’t for him, sodecided to learn from his Elders; as a young boy of 14 he was on theroad. He often tells of learning hiswoodcraft and knowledge from hisgreat uncles.

As a ‘bumma’ he travelled betweenVictoria and New South Wales alwayslooking for work. He worked atpicking crops, making fences, cuttingwood and anything he could find.Defending the rights of his people hasbeen a major driver of Albert’spassionate approach to his sense ofright and wrong, justice and injustice.

Albert Mullett did his National serviceat Puckapunyal and still kept in touchwith those mates. When he was onleave he would visit Rachel in Sydney,and with other family members theywent out on the showboats to seepeople like Aretha Franklin andothers. After his national service hestayed in Sydney, where he workeddaytime at the refinery and nightshiftin a factory.

Albert married Rachel at La PerouseChurch where the family lived inhumpies at Frog’s Hollow. They left tostart married life in Bodalla to live in ahut near the bean paddock. Theyshared their hut with a residentcarpet snake that lived in the roof.Aunty Rachel remembers they spenttheir honeymoon in the beanpaddock, but after two weeks shemissed her close family and waslonely, Albert let her go back toSydney and after two weeks hergrandfather asked when she wasgoing back to her husband.

In 1945 they camped at Nungurnerto work picking crops for the Spurdifamily, they fished, gathered mussels,and visited family.

Albert recalls the Gilsenan familyhaving people camp on their propertyat Metung and coming across fromLake Tyers to entertain the tourists.He had so many stories he sharedwith others about their early life andexperiences in Gippsland.

Albert was a ‘gun’ bean pickerknown up and down the coast, hestill holds the record for the numberof bean bags picked in a day. Hepicked beans from spring untilautumn, and then worked in thesawmills around Gippsland; later he went into the bush to work as a tree feller. The family wasn’t left out;they also picked beans and camped.Albert would line the kids up in thepaddock in one or two rows eachand he would have four. He would

Albert was a straight talker andvoiced Aboriginal education interestsacross all levels of educationincluding primary, secondary andTAFE. His vision for providing furthereducation opportunities for our kidstook him to successfully establishingan Aboriginal Studies course atMonash University, Gippsland andlobbying for additional universityplaces for the region’s young Kooriepeople. His work in education overthe years, including organising culturecamps, and dance groups, hashelped strengthen identity andcultural awareness among Kooriekids, and has promoted reconciliationwithin the wider community.

Albert had been committed tosharing, looking after and celebratinghis culture. He was among a strongdedicated group who pushed forlegislative changes to allow localKoorie communities to have moreinvolvement in the management ofculturally significant sites aroundVictoria. Over the years this hasmeant hundreds of Koorie peoplehaving been trained and employed incultural heritage roles. Albert pushedfor the establishment of the ‘KeepingPlace’ in Bairnsdale and thedevelopment of the Bataluk Trail. He gave his time, his knowledge andexperience to a number of significantcultural and heritage bodies, includingthe Australia’s Council Arts Board, theAustralian Archaeological Association,and a federal taskforce on Australiancultural collections overseas.

Albert found golf was a way ofgetting ‘the business done’. Hispassion for the sport also began andit led him to play in many Koorietournaments, with the communityand all over Victoria and interstate. It became a ‘mens business’ activity.

Albert served as an elected ATSICCouncillor and for three years aschair of the Yangenook RegionalCouncil. Late in the 1990s he was

Vale Uncle Albert

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pick his own, then go back to assistthe kids. He always had another bagtucked under his belt, his cigarettesrolled, a tucker-bag and workeddaylight until dark. He had a goal of100 bags a day; they were $1 a bagback then, and he would pick 50 onhis own. Even if he had another job,and there were beans to be pickedhe would go out for a couple of hoursbefore work and then again afterwards.With eight children to feed, clotheand educate, the $40 or $50 earnedat the mill never went very far.

The family school holidays were spentin the bean paddock, they have fondmemories of camping together withthe families and getting an ice-creamon the way home.

He was a keen fisherman on his boatand when the family camped atMystery Bay he always took it out toMontague, Bermagui, Wallaga Lakeand into Narooma. Always the activisthe took his boat with the Koorie flagto confront the Tall Ships when theywent past Mystery Bay in 1988.

In the same year, along with familyand community, he went to Sydneyto protest against the Bicentennialcelebrations. Aunty Rachel remembersat Redfern when the crowd parted tolet the Bairnsdale bus through, Albertproudly carried the protest bannerwith our brother Richard.

Albert worked in the timber industryin Gippsland for many years and wasknown as a ‘gun’ lever man in themills, and took on being the unionrepresentative. The mill ownerslooked to employ Koories as theywere hard workers; they gave familiesfree accommodation and some newbuilt houses. Albert learned his bushskills from the older men who werelog fellers and sleeper cutters. Evenin the mill he worked on the weekendcleaning out the sawdust, and thefamily had to help.

Albert and Rachel moved to Bairnsdalefor the kids to seek better educationopportunities. They had a newAboriginal Affairs house in O’BrienStreet and Albert worked at thetimber mill up the highway. Hecontinued each weekend in season topick beans at Lindenow and Wy Yung.

In 1980, Albert’s life took on a newchallenge. His interest in educationand lack of Aboriginal input tocurriculum saw him volunteering toteach students about Aboriginalculture at the local school. He said tothe principal “I don’t have a piece ofpaper but I have knowledge andexperience, so I’d like to share it withthe kids. I want to talk about thepeople of this area and my people,the Gunaikurnai people, and help thekids understand their history andculture”. When the school told himthey couldn’t pay him he said “it’s notabout payment it’s about sharing thisknowledge with the children and Iwant to make them feel good aboutthemselves, their Aboriginality andtheir identity”.

He brought in other communitymembers and elders to teach in thebike shed at 754 (Bairnsdale PrimarySchool) and having all schools bringin students for culture day events.

His passion for culture and sharingwith our young people and for thewider community led him to becomemore outspoken on education issueswhere he strongly advocated locallyas well as for the community at thestate education level and throughVAEAI. In his words, “I am a veryupfront spokesperson about the needfor cultural learning to be in curriculum,and that policies needed to bechanged”. He attended various stateand national forums and wanted to‘talk about the next step in educatingour kids, about their future’.

Vale Uncle Alberta key negotiator and supportbetween Land Councils andTraditional Owner groups for theinternational company thatconstructed the Eastern Gas Pipeline.He has an advisor to severalgovernment, private sector andcommunity run organisations onmatters of land use.

Albert’s fight for the recognition of hispeople and of their country – to havea say in looking after country, led the15 years he spearheaded with hissisters, brothers, nephews and niecesthe fight for the Native Title recognition.He had great affection and wasextremely proud of his sisters as theystuck together to achieve their goal.On 22 October 2010, the FederalCourt of Australia recognised theclaim of Gunaikurnai over much ofGippsland. It was a very proud andtearful Albert who signed theagreement; for Albert it was aboutrespect, for the Gunaikurnai and his‘mob’ and for the future generations.

When he worked at GippslandInstitute of Education (GIAE), he did a little travelling to New Zealand andstayed with Maori students. Thisexperience inspired him to want tobring his own language into thecourse at GIAE. In recent years, hemet another brother from theBlackfoot Tribe in Canada; he broughthim here and spent time-sharing hisknowledge and his country. The twoold fellas felt such a strong bond andconnection, he honoured Dad with aBlackfoot name ‘nin-ai-sha-pishtoo’ -meaning wise owl.

Despite his health issues, Albert,along with other communitymembers, recognised another needin the community, creating our ownhealth workforce for work with thecommunity. With friends, family andcommunity members, East GippslandSchool for Aboriginal HealthProfessionals (EGSHAP) became thenew challenge. Again there were

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challenges to overcome, but forAlbert that was ‘part of the processes’.He continued to chair meetings untilhe handed over the baton but alwaysmade it a priority to go to listen. Ashe spent more time at home andoften snuggled in bed and getting upwhen he was ready, Rachel tells us “if he had a meeting he would be upearly ready to attend the meeting”, or if family were talking in front of thetelevision and he wanted to watchsport he told them he was the Chairand the meeting is now over.

In 2013, Albert was recognised forhis lifetime achievements by beinginducted into the Victorian IndigenousHonour Roll – an honour he wasproud to receive.

Albert is the master-craftsman ofwood; his work, his tools were alwaysmaintained in top condition. He wasalways adamant about havingpolished shoes, looking smart, beingreliable and “doing what you say youare going to do”. Despite havingseveral things going at the sametime, he always turned up to hiscommitments.

Rachel says she gave up trying tokeep up with him. He taught his ownmob and others skills and culture thatwill live on through the generations.He was a very good woodchopper,along with his brother-in-law andsons they competed in many events;he was fast and accurate and alwaysenjoyed the challenge.

Albert was very proud of his family’seducational achievements; hischildren who are academics, teachers,artists, archaeologists, educators,and craftsmen and his grandchildrenhave mostly all finished year 12 andwent to university or other educationto be successful in their chosen fieldsand using the knowledge they havelearned from their parents,grandparents and family.

His storytelling will continue toeducate and advise people across allwalks of life; both old and young. Hischildren and grandchildren andextended family will share theirknowledge to the new generations forthe future. Albert Mullett was avisionary man, his combined wisdom,integrity and fortitude puts him withthe best. He is like the old gum treewith strong roots that live on throughthe new trees. He will always be aninspiration, loved by many, a leaderand role model among his people.

Rest in peace Uncle Albert, play moregolf, go fishing, you will be loved andremembered always.

The Mullett Family

Many thanks to the family forallowing GLaWAC to publish thisarticle for the community to knowof the great work done by UncleAlbert. He was instrumental in thecorporation being what it is today.

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TOLMB UpdateThe JMP must establish achievablegoals, ensuring that progresstowards Gunaikurnai aspirations iscontinual and sustainable and thatall stakeholders are working together.

The GK TOLMB acknowledges the long-term aspiration of theGunaikurnai to progress throughjoint management to full managementof all of the parks and reserves forwhich they hold Aboriginal Title.Currently this long-term aspiration is not part of the legislative,agreement and policy frameworkand therefore not likely to besupported until the success of thejoint management plan can be fullyassessed, however it is still seen bythe GK TOLMB as the end goal.

Projects

At its May meeting the GK TOLMBcommitted to supporting a numberof projects. These includesupporting a project at SpermWhale Head in the Lakes NationalPark where the GunaikurnaiRangers and NRM crew will workalongside Parks Victoria Rangers toupgrade the public facilities at thePoint Wilson picnic area. Theproject will be a good opportunityto develop new skills and providean opportunity for Gunaikurnaiinterpretive material at a popularday use area.

Other projects include support forculture heritage and site mapping,developing a workforcedevelopment strategy andconducting a case study of themanagement requirements for theKnob Reserve at Stratford to assistGLaWAC with achieving theirmanagement aspirations.

Grattan MullettChairperson GK TOLMB

It has been another busy couple of months for the GunaikurnaiTraditional Owner LandManagement Board (GK TOLMB)with most of its activity centred onfurther developing its governanceand compliance framework.

The major achievement has beenthe completion of the Brief to guidethe consultants who will beproducing the Joint ManagementPlan (JMP) for the 10 parks andreserves for which Gunaikurnaihave gained Aboriginal Title as aresult of the 2010 Land Agreement.

We have advertised the tender lateAugust for consultants to beselected and the project startingaround the end of September.

The JMP Vision

The JMP should align with theWhole of Country Plan and reflectGunaikurnai, especially in terms ofensuring the rejuvenation andsurvival of Gunaikurnai culture. Itwill ensure the incorporation ofGunaikurnai traditional knowledgeinto management processes and, in so doing, assisting culturalstrengthening by building capacityin the community and creatingemployment opportunities forGunaikurnai people.

Critical success factors for the JMPwill be the level of Gunaikurnaiinvolvement and the opportunitiesfor capacity building and cross-cultural education for all thoseinvolved in joint management. Theprocess will also assist in educatingthe wider community about the jointmanagement arrangements, howthese differ from the currentmanagement arrangements, andwhat this means for themanagement of the parks.

Expressions of InterestGunaikurnai Land and Waters AboriginalCorporation is seeking Expressions ofInterest from Gunaikurnai TraditionalOwners for a position on the GunaikurnaiTraditional Owner Land ManagementBoard (GKTOLMB). The board positionterm will be until September 2015.

The GKTOLMB consist of 11 membersof which not less than six are Gunaikurnai.

The GKTOLMB was established toenable the knowledge and culture ofGunaikurnai Traditional Owners to berecognised in the management of the10 parks and reserves in Gippslandwhich make up the ‘Appointed Land’under the Traditional Owner LandManagement Agreement betweenGLaWAC and the State of Victoria.

The GKTOLMBs role is to:1.set and guide the strategic direction

for the joint management of the Appointed Land

2.collaborate with the State and the relevant State Land Managers in the management of the land and enable the knowledge and culture of the Gunaikurnai People to be incorporatedin the management of Appointed Land

3. foster employment and economic development opportunities for Gunaikurnai People in relation to the management of the Appointed Land

As a GKTOLM Board Member you willhave excellent knowledge ofGunaikurnai culture and you will berepresenting Gunaikurnai people. Youmay also have a background orunderstanding in employment,governance, economic development,cultural heritage, natural resourcemanagement, community aspirations,representation, relationship building andcommunity development. As aGKTOLM Board member you willdemonstrate a strong capacity for teamwork and consensus decision making.

Currently the GKTOLMB meets monthlyTo apply please send your CV with andExpression of Interest to GLaWAC Board of DirectorsPO Box 1699, Bairnsdale Victoria 3875

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Oral History Project

About the GLaWAC Oral History ProjectWhat is it?

Through some funding GLaWAC has received we are producing an Oral History Project. Throughout 2014 community artsgroup Storyscape will be working with the GLaWAC Joint Management Cultural Rangers to train them in filmmaking andsupport the production. Films will be produced that document the Gunaikurnai journey and cultural practices, and will alsoinclude a Welcome to Country.

Why are we doing it?

Our aim is for these films to raise awareness about the Gunaikurnai journey and become an important educational resource.

The specific aims of this project are:

• To gather stories and document cultural and historical knowledge of Elders• Share knowledge and cultural practices with young Gunaikurnai for ongoing strengthening and

pride in culture, heritage and survival post colonisation• Document Gunaikurnai knowledge of the land, waters, people and major historical and social events• Inform non-Indigenous communities and agencies of Gunaikurnai history, knowledge (where appropriate),

connection, and information on the Settlement Act• Create a five-minute Welcome to Country audio-visual tool to complement the interpretation package

Who will see the videos?

The films will be seen via:

• Online – websites and social media• DVDs – distributed to resource / education centres, government departments and schools etc.• A public screening/launch event in Bairnsdale• Possibly on television (NITV)

Who’s involved in the production?

Supporting organisation: Storyscape (www.storyscape.com.au)

WWhhoo’’ss ffiillmmiinngg // iinntteerrvviieewwiinngg:: The GLaWAC Joint Management Cultural Rangers and Storyscape

WWhhoo’’ss bbeeiinngg iinntteerrvviieewweedd:: A range of people including the GLaWAC Board and Elders’ Council, GLaWAC staff, members ofthe Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) and Traditional Owners Land Management (TOLM) Board, government departments,and members of the Gunaikurnai Community.

HHooww ddoo yyoouu ggeett iinnvvoollvveedd??

The project is open to anyone who would like to be involved in telling the Gunaikurnai story. So if you would like to getinvolved, and are happy to be interviewed please contact GLaWAC as soon as possible by telephoning 03) 5152 5100.

Leisure and Pleasure

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Spring has sprung, so it is time to get into somefresh, healthy cooking...try this refreshing tart.The goat’s cheese can be substituted for fetta for a nice variation

Asparagus and Goat’s Cheese Frittata20g butter1 large brown onion, finely chopped2 garlic cloves, finely chopped8 eggs1/3 cup pure cream1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (such as parsley, basil and dill)2/3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese2 bunches asparagus, trimmed, cut into 4cm lengths60g goat's cheese, crumbled (or fetta)Mixed salad leavesFresh dill sprigs, to serve

Method

Step 1 – Melt butter in a 22cm (base) heavy-based, flameproof, non-stickfrying pan over medium-low heat. Add onion and garlic. Cook, stirringoccasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes or until onion is golden.

Step 2 – Meanwhile, whisk eggs, cream, chopped herbs and 1/2 cupparmesan in a jug. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 3 – Preheat grill on medium-high. Add asparagus to pan. Cook, stirring,for 5 to 6 minutes or until bright green and just tender. Pour egg mixtureover asparagus mixture. Lift and tilt pan to distribute egg mixture. Reduceheat to low. Sprinkle goat's cheese and remaining parmesan over top. Cookfor 10 minutes or until almost set.

Step 4 – Place pan under grill. Grill for 3 minutes or until set and golden.Stand for 3 minutes. Loosen frittata with a spatula. Slide onto a plate. Topwith dill. Serve with salad leaves.

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GLaWAC News UpdateWelcome to another newsletter forthe Gunaikurnai Land and WatersAboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC)members...as mentioned lastedition we will endeavour toproduce a newsletter quarterly thatcoincides with the seasons...Summer – DecemberAutumn – MarchWinter – JuneSpring – September

If you wish to contribute, please forward your article and hi-resolution photos / images toadmin@glawac.com.au by no laterthan the middle of the previousmonth (ie 14 November forSummer / December edition toallow for production and mailingsby the first of those months).

Would you like toreceive the GLaWACNews by email?If you would like to receive thisnewsletter by email, please send anemail to admin@glawac.com.au,and we will update our Membershipdatabase with your current emailaddress.

Also, if you know of any membernot receiving any communicationfrom GLaWAC, please have themcall us on 03) 5152 5100 to ensurewe have their current mailing address.

DisclaimerOpinions expressed in ‘GLaWAC News’ are not necessarily those of GLaWAC. We donot guarantee the accuracy or accept anyresponsibility for the statements or commentsmade by the contributors in articles submitted.GLaWAC reserves the right to amend, alter ordelete any items, statements or articles which it feels is not in the best interest of GLaWAC or its members.

PV Campsite BookingsParks Victoria hasintroduced a new‘online’ campsitebooking process forparks and reserves in VictoriaTraditional owners who haverecognised native title rights ortraditional owner rights whichinclude the right to camp, areexempt from paying camping feesin national and state parks withintheir agreement areas. In theseareas, Traditional Owners will stillneed to book to reserve theircampsite, however without a fee.

Booking procedure where aTraditional Owner group is exemptfrom fees:

1.Call Parks Victoria’s Information Centre on 13 1963, request a booking at no charge in a park where Gunaikurnai traditional owner group is exempt from fees

2.Information centre will take details

a. Visitor name

b. Traditional Owner group name

c. Location (park and campground, site number)

d. Date / s

e. Names of all people of the group wishing to book

f. You may be asked ito supply the relevant Gunaikurnai Traditional Owner identity card

NB: If you do not have a GunaikurnaiIdentity Card, GLaWAC will beasked to confirm identification ofGunaikurnai people.

3.Parks Victoria Information Centre will email or call to confirm your booking, payment will not required.

The normal booking procedureapplies where a Traditional Ownergroup is NOT exempt from fees. All of the sites where fees apply can be booked online atwww.parks.vic.gov.au/stay, or bycalling Parks Victoria’s InformationCentre on 13 1963.

Park camp grounds wherebookings must be made to securea camp site are listed below.

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkShoreline Drive (betweenHoneysuckles and Golden Beach)

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkBunga Arm (Albatross)

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkBunga Arm (Cormorant)

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkBunga Arm (Dotterel)

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Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkBunga Arm (Egret)

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkBunga Arm (Gannet)

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkBunga Arm (Pelican)

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkBunga Arm (Shearwater)

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkMcMahons boundary

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkParadise Beach Campground

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkPoachers fire break

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkRed Bluff Camping Area

Gippsland Lakes Coastal ParkSpoon Bay Camping Area

Buchan Caves ReserveBuchan Caves

Corringle Foreshore ReserveCorringle Foreshore Reserve

The Lakes National ParkEmu Bight Campground

For more information Phone 13 1963www.parks.vic.gov.au

Right: A couple of gents enjoyingsome of the many Parks Victoriacampsites

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ReportsPlanning for the futureof Gunaikurnai CountryThe Gunaikurnai whole-of-countryplan will be a clear statement ofwhat the Gunaikurnai mob want forthe future. It will include long termgoals and some practical strategiesfor how we'll get there.

We need this plan to ensure thatwe can get good outcomes fromthe negotiation of our NaturalResources Agreement, and it willhelp us with the joint managementplanning of our Aboriginal Title parksand reserves. It will also help us tobuild good partnerships and influencegovernment policies and programs.

The country planning processkicked off in April through a workshopwith the Elders Council and GLaWACBoard and staff. At this workshop,Traditional Owners discussed thevision for Gunaikurnai country,looking back at the past andthinking about hopes for the future.The information from this workshopwas drawn together into a draftstrategic framework which includedkey goals about the wellbeing ofthe mob, managing country,strengthening culture, respect andrecognition, rights, economicdevelopment and education.

Through the GLaWAC WinterNews, the Gunaikurnai mob were

invited to provide comments on thedraft plan, or to come and discussit at one of the information sessionsheld in Melbourne, Traralgon andBairnsdale. The feedback receivedwas positive, that the plan was apretty good summary of Gunaikurnaiaspirations. Other comments included:that the whole-of-country plan shouldbe used as a way to decide howfunds from mining and otheragreements are spent for the benefitof the mob; that we should focuson looking after the land andstopping other people from doingdamage; and that we need to dosome work on communication withthe mob.

Taking these comments, theGLaWAC Board, Traditional OwnerLand Management Board membersand some on-ground NRM staffmet to talk about how we can startworking towards our goals. Therewere lots of good discussions andideas at this three-day workshop,and we will use that information todevelop a full draft of the whole-of-country plan.

The whole-of-country plan will befinished by the end of the year, intime for our negotiations and jointmanagement planning. We will alsouse it to start educating governmentand other land managementpartners about what we want tosee happening on our Country.

Financial ReportAnother Annual General Meeting is fast approaching, and inpreparation for this AGM, theStatutory Accounts are beingprepared in readiness for a financialaudit. This audit will account for allCorporation finances for the pastfinancial year.

As previously reported theCorporation is financially stable andlooking favourable for the newfinancial year with new contracts for the NRM Enterprise, especiallynow Spring has sprung! As the oldadage goes, ‘Make hay while thesun shines’, and that is what weare about to embark.

With the closure of the DEPI firecollecting season during winter, the sale of firewood has beenexceptionally busy, keeping the girlsin the office on their toes. RAPincome has also been consistentwith continued works ‘on-country’and we are also generating a goodincome from mining companiesthrough the great negotiations bythe GLaWAC Board and EldersCouncil.

The Corporation is steadyfinancially, and our investments andtrust monies are generating soundinterest through good management,by our accountants and trust, bookkeepers and financial institutions.

This management is in accordancewith good accounting internally withthe support of Crowe Horwath.

Lee-Anne Eddington GLaWAC Treasurer

We have from time-to-time opportunities for casual employment at GLaWAC, not only for administration but also crew work. Please call Lyn at the office on 03) 5152 5100 and put your

name on our database and we may call you to assist,

Cultural Heritage ManagerLook out for the Position Desciption for this new role

GLaWAC Employment

Raymond Island

Another of the factsheets produced byParks Victoria onGunaikurnai jointlymanaged parks andreservesRaymond Island (Gippsland LakeReserve) is one of the 10 jointlymanaged parks within Gippsland.The agreements recognises the factthat the Gunaikurnai people havealways been connected to the landand are the rightful people whospeak for this Country.

Introduction

Raymond Island is only accessibleby ferry or by boat. It was namedafter William Odell Raymond, amagistrate from New South Waleswho established himself as asquatter in Gippsland in the 1840s.

Activities and Facilities

The predominant recreationalactivities include koala spotting,picnics, bird watching,bushwalking, cycling, fishing,boating and marine activities.

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Park Statistics

The Gippsland Lake Reserve wasestablished in June 1984.

Area: 248 ha

Visitation: Unknown

Culture and Heritage

For tens of thousands of yearsbefore colonial occupation, theTantungalung clan of theGunaikurnai tribe considered theisland ‘Gragin’ as part of their hometerritory. A significant part of itsrichness was it afforded a place tohunt and to harvest swan eggs.

Since then the island has been host to cattle leases, smallholdings, fishing and fish smoking.The produce from these enterpriseswas picked up by one of thesteamers travelling back and forthdaily between Sale and LakesEntrance. The island was re-discovered after World War II asa place for holiday retreats andrelief from the intensifying industryof ‘the valley’. Its convenientisolation and wide range of floraand fauna remain attractive featuresworthy of protection.

Fauna and Flora

Koalas (from Phillip Island) wereintroduced to Raymond Island in1953 for safe-keeping. Since thenkoala over-browsing has causedconsiderable stress and death tothe manna gums within thetownship. Surveys have indicatedthat the island is carrying morekoalas than it can sustain so anumber of koala relocation effortshave taken place.

The island contains abundantbirdlife including Great Egret, Little Egret, Latham’s Snipe, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Black-faced Cormorant.

The lake is a significant feature ofthe Gippsland Lakes system and is listed under the Convention onWetlands of InternationalImportance (RAMSAR).

Key Projects 2014/2015

Key projects include:

• Koala health program

• Install Joint Management majorpark entry signs

• Investigate and trial alternatives to fuel reduction burning

• Work with Landcare to provide planting opportunities

• Assist DEPI in their consolidation and improvement of fire breaks

More InformationVisit www.parks.vic.gov.au or call 13 1963

Above; One of the relocationefforts taken place on RaymondIsland over the years to protectthe animals from stress.