Skip to main content

search
0
MEMBER NEWSNEWSYARNS

DJAARA signposts new way of caring for Country

L-R: Parks Victoria District Manager Suzanne Hughes, our CEO Rodney & our General Manager Cassandra following the sign’s official unveiling.

 

A massive storm didn’t dampen the mood as DJAARA, Dhelkunya Dja Land Management Board and Parks Victoria celebrated joint management between DJAARA and Parks Victoria with the unveiling of eye catching Dja Dja Wurrung-branded signage at One Tree Hill in Greater Bendigo National Park on Thursday 23 March.

The new signage promotes the park as one of six that have been handed back to DJAARA to manage jointly with Parks Victoria, and celebrates Dja Dja Wurrung contemporary presence on Djandak.

Our CEO Rodney Carter highlighted that joint management – DJAARA leading the management of the six parks – was a key element in DJAARA’s 2013 Recognition and Settlement Agreement with the State of Victoria.

“A lot of work has happened over the past 10 years, including establishing the Dhelkunya Dja Land Management Board and, together with Parks Victoria, developing and implementing the Joint Management Plan,” Rodney said.

“We’re here today to celebrate the first fruits of this work, and the continued embedding of Djaara on Djandak .

“Working out how we do joint management has been a learning journey for everyone – and we look forward to continued work with Parks Victoria to further improve the process and deliver more tangible outcomes for the community in the future,” Rodney said.

L-R Uncle Walter Harrison, Cassandra Lewis, City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Andrea Metcalf, Uncle Graham Atkinson.

Dhelkunya Dja Land Management Board Chair Uncle Graham Atkinson said it was satisfying, after years of planning and laying the foundations for joint management, to see the signs finally installed.

“I am very proud, and we should all be,” Uncle Graham said.

“Participating in Land Management is central to our fundamental human and cultural rights. Joint management is laying the foundations for self-determination.”

District Manager, Parks Victoria Suzanne Hughes extended her thanks to DJAARA.

“This occasion marks an exciting moment in time for the jointly managed parks, with traditional culture, artwork, and language beautifully represented in the landscape,” Suzanne said.

Signage and other Dja-Dja-Wurrung-designed facilities are also being installed in the other jointly managed parks over the coming months.

Parks Victoria District Manager Suzanne Hughes and Rodney.

 

DDLMB Chair Uncle Graham speaks while Harley Douglas (Program Manager Galkangu Joint Management) holds the umbrella.

 

Uncle Graham and Rodney officially unveil the sign amid pouring rain.