Recently, the Greater Sydney Regional Landcare Coordinator used a “Working Together” small grant to fund a cultural immersion day, facilitated by Den Barber from Yarrabin Cultural Connections.
Held in the lower Hunter Valley, the day included visiting and interpreting several Aboriginal sites, a smoking ceremony and a dance performance.
It was a popular and successful event, said Greater Sydney Regional Landcare Coordinator, Madeline Florin with 29 people attending with a waiting list.
“There was plenty of discussion that was both informative and, at times, challenging. All who participated found it valuable with about half the participants taking something away that they could use with their own Landcare group.
“A moment of communal comprehension and understanding was when our group was unexpectedly denied entry to a site we had planned to visit. This was confronting and provided a moment of reflection on the fact that many Aboriginal people are not able to access their Country.
“This opportunity was great in that our Landcarers across Greater Sydney are working with varying degrees of knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture, history and land management techniques and there is a need and thirst amongst the Landcare and Bushcare communities to learn and better understand Aboriginal culture. This will promote more respectful and culturally sensitive engagement from the Landcare and Bushcare community.
Madeleine said each participant learnt a great deal and the day’s impact was personal with different reflections from different participants.
“It made everyone think more deeply about the day and we can all take something unique away from it. The co-presenters of Den and Aboriginal Landcare Coordinator from the Cooks River Alliance, Ciaron Dunn, helped give different perspectives, knowledge and views.
This day was just the beginning of a learning journey and many participants reported that they will go away and continue learning.
The “Working Together” Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program is an initiative made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services NSW and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
Moree Urban Landcare (MUL) recently held a combined tree planting and traditional weaving and twine making event for their local community with a traditional bush tucker meal supplied.
Held adjunct to MUL’s existing planting in Jellico Park in Moree, the group planted Spiney Matt Rush and Kurrajong, both of which were used in the traditional weaving process.
With a bush tucker event also held to highlight the diversity of local species for food, the project was an cultural educational opportunity through sharing traditional land management practices.
Through all community members working together on the project, and providing a day that was hands on, educational and social, the event helped provide an opportunity for both Moree Urban Landcare and Northern Slopes Landcare association to engage with the local Moree Aboriginal community and assist in paving the way for further collaboration in the future.
The workshop is funded under the “Working Together” Program which aims to increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.
The “Working Together” Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program is an initiative made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services NSW and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
In 2021, Hunter Region Landcare began working collaboratively on a number of cultural projects and programs to help them better understand Aboriginal culture in the Hunter region past and present, and to see how they could incorporate this knowledge into their everyday Landcare operations.
By hosting workshops and field days, they found that it would provide them with practical knowledge and skills about places and artefacts of significance that may be find on Landcare sites or farm property. Topics such as how to recognise artefacts such as stone tools by participating in a stone napping activity; what to do if we do find an artefact such as a scar tree, stone tools, middens, etc; the legislation around places and objects of cultural significance were covered with all participants helping grow local knowledge about the significance.
“It was important for us to share, learn, and understand our Aboriginal cultural heritage within the Landcare community, and these workshop provided a way to get started. We had 30 participants in our first workshop field day.”
“Landcarers and farmers that we work with share a genuine interest and passion in caring for our land, rivers, sea and sky, caring for country, so already we have a shared bond with our local Aboriginal community,” says HRLN representative.
The workshop is funded under the “Working Together” Program which aims to increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.
The “Working Together” Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program is an initiative made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services NSW and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
This story was originally published as a report via the NSW Landcare Program Website – NSW Landcare Gateway. To view click here
From the northern rainforests of Gumbaynggirr Country to the open plains and rocky ranges of the Wiljali, stretching across the largest Country in NSW, the Wiradjuri, and up to the alpine landscapes of the Maneroo, the original Landcarers have been working with Country and on country for millennia.
Across NSW, traditional and new Landcarers have been coming together to celebrate, heal and work on local landscapes through funding from the NSW Landcare Program’s Working Together Program.
In the Upper Snowy Landcare region and Maneroo Country, the local Landcare community have been busy building stronger connections with the local Aboriginal community networks.
“We recently held a two-day on-country theory and show and tell workshop which helped bring adults and children together and aimed to develop an understanding of Maneroo country, its people, practices, perspectives, special sites and artefacts,” said Upper Snowy Landcare Network Local Landcare Coordinator, Lauren Van Dyke.
Upper Snowy Landcare Network workshop
“The Upper Snowy Landcare Network recently commenced a lease on a significant part of the Gegezerick Travelling Stock Reserve – a grassy woodland overlooking the Monaro Plains and the little village of Berridale. While we were aware of the Aboriginal significance of this place (with anecdotal stories) we were informed during this workshop of its purpose as a traditional training ground.”
“Led by Aboriginal cultural heritage expert’s Aboriginal elders, Glen Morris, Chris (Snappy) Griffiths and Graham Moore, the knowledge that the Gegegedzerick Hill being a training ground for young indigenous people was welcome news indeed. Especially as on the second day we had more than 40 school children join in from the Trakz Program – an established program consisting of activities and experiences for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Cooma to learn about cultural beliefs and practices on Country.
“The event helped us all begin to understand the land from an Aboriginal perspective and the key information gathered will assist in the future management of the Landcare site. Opportunities to build and strengthen the connection with local people and the local landscape is at the core of what ‘Landcare’ is”, Lauren said.
Upper Snowy Region ‘Working Together’ Workshop
Up in Gumbaynggirr country, North Coast Regional Landcare Network held a three-day event that included developing and exploring cultural knowledge within the region, and ways to move forward in line with the work Traditional Custodians have been undertaking for generations.
North Coast Regional Landcare Coordinator Josh Keating said the event and outcomes were a chance to identify opportunities to initiate and strengthen ties between the local Landcare community and Aboriginal groups and organisations.
North Coast Regional Landcare Network RCoP participants viewing coastal fish traps
“Our event was part of our annual Regional Gathering and we weaved together the theme of Working Together: past, present future throughout the event. It was a opportunity to focus on what work has been done in the past between Landcare groups and Aboriginal communities, what is currently being jointly delivered and what we would like to do in the future.
“It was great to see that there is a common goal by participants across the region to embrace the opportunity to learn how we can better work with Aboriginal communities in our local areas. Additionally, at a regional scale, to learn about people’s connection to their country and take those learnings away and inform how we can work with local Aboriginal groups in our area.
“The North Coast Region follows Landcare NSW’s recognition that Aboriginal communities are the original Landcarers and we are all focused on caring for the land, environment and communities in our region and building a sustainable approach to the future.
“One of our strongest outcomes was the acknowledgement that our work will be strengthened with an application for funding put forward for a Regional Aboriginal Engagement Officer who will help local networks and groups connect with relevant groups, organisations or Traditional Owners.
“Both communities have a great opportunity to engage with one another and share one another’s knowledge and experience for mutual learning. The things that Landcare can offer to Aboriginal communities include capacity building and increasing knowledge of technical skills regarding environmental management. Whereas Aboriginal groups can provide cultural knowledge and locally specific information that helps Landcarers understand how they can better manage their land. This will strengthen all our works in supporting our local environment and communities.
“This is one of the most valuable things about community connection; it is about getting people together to connect and seeing how we can evolve from there,” Josh said.
NSW Landcare Program Community Aboriginal Engagement Officer, Craig Aspinall, said the 2021 theme of ‘Healing Country’ and the wider theme of seeking greater protections for our lands, waters, sacred sites and cultural heritage from harm, highlights how Landcare and Aboriginal community organisations have a joint purpose and can grow together to care for country and the communities that live on the land and waters.
“Across the state NSW Landcare groups and community organisations have been working with Aboriginal community organisations with the shared objective to build knowledge and understanding and work for the betterment of our environment. The Working Together Program is just one way Landcare NSW is supporting and connecting with traditional landholders.
“Continuing to grow together through cultural and environmental understanding will ensure that future generations will have the knowledge and understanding of the connection between the health of our environment and our communities and how it is all intertwined,” Craig said.
This initiative is made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration between the Local Land Services and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
A key component of the NSW Landcare Program is the facilitation of a community of practice, or, ‘gathering’/workshop, for Program Participants (Host Organisations and Coordinators).
This type of forum has been identified as a key milestone for the Program. The opportunity for hosts and coordinators to come together from across the state to share experiences, learn with each other and from each other and to build personal relationships at both the regional and state scales, is seen as critical to building common understanding and capacity for our Landcarers.
Registrations are well over 100 now, with another 50 or so expected comprising of Landcare Coordinators, host organisation members and Regional Landcare Coordinators descending on Dubbo from 8-10 June.
With a key note address by Robbie Sefton, an inspirational communication specialist and farmer, plus guest trainers that will provide sessions that ‘Build Resilience, Not Burnout’ and ‘Whole Brain Thinking’ there is a lot to stimulate thought.
However, this Gathering is not only about learning and receiving information, the Program Team and Landcare NSW staff also want to hear from the Coordinators, hosts and their regions about what works well, the different ways of doing things and what could work better for Landcare into the future.
There are sessions requiring regional thinking and regionally responses, individual self selected optional trainings and plenty of time to confer and network.
Naturally it wouldn’t be Landcare without a few social opportunities and participants are encouraged to attend events at the Devils Hollow Brewery on the first night and the special Conference Dinner on the Wednesday night. If you would like more information, please contact the NSW Landcare Program Team.
On 30 & 31 March 2021, the Upper Snowy Landcare Network provided a very special opportunity to the local Landcare and school community to walk on the traditional training grounds of Gegedzerick, near Berridale.
Supported by funds from the NSW Landcare Program’s “Working Together” Aboriginal Engagement Program and South East Local Land Services, the event was designed to train local people to recognise Aboriginal objects, artefacts, landscape features and perspectives on land management and traditional Aboriginal culture.
Aboriginal cultural heritage experts Uncle Glen Morris, Graham Moore and local Aboriginal Elder Uncle Snappy were on hand to share their knowledge, provide samples and inject their sharp sense of humour and life experience into a very successful two-day event.
Starting at the local CWA Hall each day, participants were given an insight into the types of Aboriginal objects that can be found in the local landscape, including samples of tools and artefacts for everyone to see and touch. The group then travelled a short distance to the Gegedzerick Travelling Stock Reserve, which is being managed by the Upper Snowy Landcare Network, to utilise their new-found identification skills and knowledge to conduct a “walkover” inspection of the site to identify any potential Aboriginal artefacts.
Uncle Glen Morris speaking to local Landcarers, Day 1.
Under the legislation relating to Aboriginal cultural objects, any artefacts found must be registered and recorded on the NSW Government’s database of Aboriginal objects. A key part of the training during the event involved how to fill in a ‘site-card’ to record the exact location and landscape features surrounding the site and then uploading these to the database.
It is very culturally important that Aboriginal artefacts stay in the location they are found, are protected from disturbance from either farming, conservation, development or other impacts such as soil erosion. Upper Snowy Landcare Network will use the information gathered during this very successful event to further inform future management of the Travelling Stock Reserve.
Landcare NSW has acknowledged the invaluable contribution retiring NSW Local Land Services Board Chair Richard Bull made to sustainable agriculture and the state’s natural resources sector during his eight years with the organisation.
Rick became Chair of the Board of Local Land Services (LLS) in 2017 and worked alongside Landcare NSW former Chair Rob Dulhuntyand then current Chair Steph Cameron during a period of major expansion and development for Landcare.
Landcare NSW Chair, Stephanie Cameron thanked Rick for the critical rolehe has played during his time as Chair of LLS.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my role as Chair of Landcare NSW has been to work alongside Richard Bull to build a harmonious and productive relationship between LLS and Landcare for the benefit of landholders, industry and the Landcare community. Rick brought experience, intelligence and wisdom to every interaction. I valued his wise counsel and guidance and the quiet way he steered a path through sometimes difficult waters to reach a resolution.
“Rick saw the potential of harnessing the passion and skills of the Landcare community.Under his leadership, we saw a period of renewal, collaboration, trust and joint planning whichbrought government and the Landcare community together,” Ms Cameron said.
Landcarers across NSW will continue to benefit from the thriving partnership between LLS and Landcare NSW, after the two organisations refreshed and re-signed their Memorandum of Understanding in January earlier this year.
Rick played a critical role in Co-Chairing the Joint Management Committee that oversees the four-year, $22.4 million NSW Landcare Program which continues to underpin the partnership.
A sheep producer at Holbrook and agricultural consultant, Rick has lived his entire life on the land and has been committed to advancing the state’s agricultural sector throughout his career.He was the inaugural Chair of the Murray LLS Board from 2013.
“He was very familiar with Landcare from his contacts in the Murray region and brought that understanding to the state level,” said Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit.
“He had a genuine commitment to support the growth and development of Landcare. He understood the importance of the relationship between Government and Landcare at all levels.
“Rick attended every Landcare Council meeting and would listen carefully to each of the reports provided by Councillors.This ensured he got information directly from grassroots representatives.He took time out of his busy schedule to attend Landcare conferences and events where he spent time with the volunteer committee members, Landcare coordinators and volunteers. There is nothing he liked better than getting out of the office and out into the field to talk to people on the ground.
“The esteem in which Rick is held by the Landcare community is enormous. We thank him for his contribution and hope he will continue to play a role in our community,” said Dr Zammit.
Landcare NSW today celebrated a new look for the ‘Working Together’ Aboriginal Landcare Engagement Program to mark NAIDOC Week.
The Aboriginal Landcare Engagement Program is part of the NSW Landcare Program, a $22.4 million investment co-delivered by Landcare NSW and NSW Local Land Services and supported by the NSW Government.
Landcare NSW CEO, Dr Adrian Zammit, says the initiative within the NSW Landcare Program will increase opportunities to consciously develop stronger connections and partnerships between Landcare groups and Aboriginal Communities.
“At the heart of this initiative is the goal of building engagement between Landcare and Aboriginal communities,” said Dr Zammit.
“Many Landcare groups have been working and collaborating successfully with Aboriginal Communities in local and regional contexts for many years. This program will provide a state-wide framework to support Aboriginal People to have a voice within Landcare; connect them with local Landcare Communities; and help share Traditional Land Management approaches.”
Driving the program is Community Landcare Aboriginal Engagement Officer Craig Aspinall who has been tasked with providing support and advice to Landcare NSW in developing mutually beneficial engagement and strengthened relations between Aboriginal Organisations and Landcare at local, regional and state levels across NSW.
“Since I commenced in the role in May 2020, numerous Landcare Groups have expressed their interest and desire in collaborating with Aboriginal people in some way. In many cases, people have a good idea of what they want to do. Some examples have included joint on-ground projects, interpretive signage, Welcome to Country & Cultural Workshops at a major local event, a cultural awareness activity for local Landcarers, a digital tool that can be used to record Aboriginal sites, an Aboriginal nursery supplying plants to Landcare – the list of ideas and options is countless,” said Mr Aspinall.
“Local people know their landscape, their stakeholders and their opportunities.
“The thing that excites me most is the prospect of facilitating opportunities for local Aboriginal and Landcare communities to collaborate, learn and share,” said Mr Aspinall.
Today the NSW Landcare Program unveiled the new-look branding for the initiative which will provide an identity and instil a sense of pride within NSW Aboriginal and Landcare communities.
A judging panel, formed by a Steering Committee, had the very challenging task of selecting a winner from so many wonderful Aboriginal artists from all over NSW.
The artwork titled “Working Together” was created by winning artist Jason Ridgeway – a proud Aboriginal artist from the Dunghutti Nation on the NSW Mid North Coast.
In describing his artwork, Jason said: “Working as one we will achieve all goals set in place to enjoy a beautiful future and keep our connections strong. If we don’t have a connection to country, then we don’t belong. Our land is precious – if we look after it, it will in return look after us. We as a people need to work together to help heal and look after changes to the land.”
Also announced was the launch of the “Working Together” Small Grants Program.
The small grants program seeks to support locally-driven collaboration activities to ensure that Aboriginal people become more immersed in the Landcare movement in NSW.
To provide an additional incentive for Aboriginal communities to maintain ongoing engagement with the Landcare movement, successful applicants who are identified as an Aboriginal entity will also receive one year’s membership of Landcare NSW, which includes access to the full range of member benefits.
The NAIDOC 2020 Theme: “Always Was, Always Will Be.” recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years. The NAIDOC theme acknowledges the original carers of the land, so it is even more special to us in the Landcare movement that we celebrate our own journey towards true Landcare and Aboriginal collaboration.
Information about NAIDOC, its history, events, etc can be found at www.naidoc.org.au
Meet Craig Aspinall, Community Landcare Aboriginal Engagement Officer
Craig Aspinall, Community Landcare Aboriginal Engagement Officer
What is your role within the NSW Landcare Program?
My job title is “Community Landcare Aboriginal Engagement Officer”, and my role is to facilitate and improve opportunities for collaboration between Aboriginal communities and the Landcare movement in NSW.
How did you get involved in Landcare?
In 2005, I was the first appointee to the role of Catchment Officer (Aboriginal Communities) for the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority, now known as Hunter Local Land Services. During my eight year tenure in the role I was privileged to be involved in some significant major projects across the region, including the Kooragang Wetlands Rehabilitation Program and the Hexham Swamp Rehabilitation Project. The involvement of Landcare was intrinsic to the success of these projects, and I distinctly recall my amazement when walking through an area on Ash Island that was once a paddock, which had been rehabilitated by Landcare volunteers into a beautiful native coastal rainforest full of species of cultural significance.
Why do you care about Landcare?
As an Aboriginal man I stand firm in my acknowledgement that my Aboriginal ancestors were the original carers and stewards of land and sea country in NSW. Landcare is a movement that supports our relationships with the land, but also the relationships of the people, and the Landcare movement is driven by people.
What does ‘caring for country’ mean to you?
I am a proud Biripai man who was born and raised on the NSW Lower North Coast, and a descendant of Jack Cook of Gloucester. The belief that ‘if you look after the land and sea it will provide for your people’, has never been more important than now. To me, caring for country means ensuring future generations can enjoy the same or better natural environment than currently exists – inter-generational equity!
What have you learnt about the Landcare community since starting in your role?
Everyone is so friendly and welcoming! The other thing that has struck me is the sheer volume of Landcare people from all over NSW who are eager to learn from, and collaborate with, Aboriginal people. It was a little overwhelming at first, being just one Aboriginal Officer for the whole state, but I am gradually getting out there and meeting as many people as I can.
Why is it important to build connections and strengthen engagement between the Landcare movement and Aboriginal peoples?
To me, Landcare as a movement will not be completely fulfilled unless it incorporates Aboriginal people, culture and practices. I would again acknowledge that Aboriginal people have been the original carers and stewards of our land and sea country for generations – don’t you think they may know a thing or two about getting the most from the land without damaging it? But It needs to be an equal relationship and many Landcarers simply don’t know about protocols, where to start and who to contact – that’s where my role comes in.
How will your role assist in supporting Aboriginal people to have a voice within Landcare?
As I said above, it needs to be an equal relationship between Landcare and Aboriginal people and culture, but it is important that Aboriginal people are aware of Landcare in the first place, and the benefits that are gained by participating in Landcare. So, firstly I see my role as helping raise awareness across Aboriginal communities of Landcare, the NSW Landcare Program and the Aboriginal Engagement Program. Secondly, I want to provide support to activities that share knowledge and experiences between Aboriginal people and Landcarers – it is through these activities that long-lasting relationships can be formed.
What have you achieved so far in your role?
The first task for any major funded program is paperwork and approvals! The Aboriginal Program was quite an ‘open book’, so to speak. I had to work through numerous source documents, plans, strategies and reports to try and identify common themes, goals and outcomes. This became the basis for the Aboriginal Action Plan, which has now been approved by the governing bodies and is available on our website. I can now start the journey of implementing the activities that are in the Action Plan and hopefully improve people’s lives in some way – that is the most rewarding part!
What are some of the areas of the role that have excited you the most and have enjoyed since starting in this role? What are you most proud of?
The most exciting aspect of the role so far has been working towards building a profile and visual ‘brand’ for the Aboriginal Communities Engagement Program. I am very proud that we chose to incorporate the work of an Aboriginal artist for this and I hope that it becomes recognisable across both Aboriginal and Landcare communities as a positive symbol of collaboration.
I have also really enjoyed the limited opportunities (due to COVID) I have had to travel and meet with Landcare Groups and Aboriginal Communities. I have visited a fantastic Landcare demonstration site at Lake Liddell in the Upper Hunter, and attended several Cultural Awareness Training activities in the Central Tablelands region in which I learnt so much and met great people. I look forward to being invited to attend more meetings, events and on-ground activities right across NSW as we eventually move out of the current restrictions.
What are the key outcomes you hope to achieve?
I always try to make a difference and improve other people’s lives in any endeavour I am involved – whether work-related or personal. In my opinion, the ultimate outcome for Aboriginal people is firstly to achieve recognition in the wider community that traditional knowledge and practices, even in a contemporary context, are not inferior and should be highly valued. Secondly, it is fair to say that the natural resources of this continent have provided significant socio-economic benefits for the mainstream community for many years, of which Aboriginal people largely missed out. Nowadays, due to certain damaging practices being carried out in the exploitation and management of those natural resources for many years, we find ourselves with a large and growing economic sector that exists to address and rectify that damage, and Landcare is a key player in that sector. It is my goal to ensure that Aboriginal people are well-prepared to take up the opportunity to engage in and benefit from this new economy, as well as being fully respected for their knowledge, skills and practices.
This initiative made possible by the NSW Landcare Program. A collaboration of Local Land Services and Landcare NSW Inc. supported by the NSW Government.
Are you an Aboriginal artist or designer living in NSW?
Landcare NSW, under the NSW Landcare Program 2019-2023, invites Aboriginal artists from anywhere in NSW to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) concept proposal to produce a commissioned artwork, accompanied by a name and a story, that depicts the theme of “Aboriginal communities and Landcare communities working together for healthy landscapes”.
We are looking to create a visual brand and title/name to help build the profile of the Program, so it becomes easily recognisable throughout Landcare and Aboriginal communities. Expressions of interest close 18 September 2020.
Expressions of Interest form, including the guidelines, can be accessed online here.
Moree Urban Landcare (MUL) recently held a combined tree planting and traditional weaving and twine making event for their local community with a traditional bush tucker meal supplied.
