“The Gippsland Lakes, and particularly the rivers that feed them, are an important place for the Gunaikurnai, they’re the lifeline for our people when they’re travelling through country.” -Grattan Mullett Snr, GLaWAC
The East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA) last week played host to staff of seven Catchment Management Authorities from across the state as part of the East Gippsland CMA Knowledge Sharing Forum.
Members of the West Gippsland, Corangamite, Wimmera, Goulburn Broken, North East and North Central CMA’s gained an understanding of East Gippsland’s unique natural environment and the challenges and opportunities in maintaining and enhancing the health of our catchments.
The group visited the Mitchell River Silt Jetties, the mouth of the Tambo River, the Nicholson Dam and took a boat trip to view works across the Gippsland Lakes. EGCMA partners Birdlife Australia, DELWP, Friends of Beware Reef, Gippsland Ports, Greening Australia, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) and The Marine Mammal Foundation, all spoke passionately about their respective projects.
A particular highlight was the smoking ceremony performed by GLaWAC JM Ranger Supervisor, Grattan Mullet Jnr at Sperm Whale Head and the opportunity to learn about the joint management of ten parks and reserves by GLaWAC and Parks Victoria.
“This event was a great opportunity to showcase our partnerships throughout the region.” said Becky Hemming, acting EGCMA chief executive officer. “Sharing of knowledge and experiences with CMA staff from around the state will contribute to better relationships and a better understanding of how to improve the health of our rivers and waterways.”
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) NRM crew have been busy at the mouth of the Tambo River recently, undertaking a fencing project at the popular site.
Working in partnership with the EGCMA and DELWP, the works will establish clear public access points to the well known fishing spot.
These works are part of a coordinated effort to improve the health of the Tambo River together with public access and amenity of five popular sites from Ensay downstream to the mouth of the river.
Daniel Miller, On Country General Manager at GLaWAC said “Caring for country is one of the core roles of GLaWAC. Our NRM team are proud to be working on country in partnership with DELWP and EGCMA to achieve this common goal”.
“The Water Plan for Victoria encourages greater involvement of traditional owners in the management of our rivers.” said the acting EGCMA CEO, Bec Hemming. “Working together with DELWP and GLaWAC provides opportunities to build and share skills and cultural knowledge.”
The project is funded by the Victorian State Government as part of $222 million committed to improving the health of waterways and catchments in Victoria.
The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) NRM crew recently undertook training on a forested site north of Bairnsdale. The day provided an opportunity to gain skills and share knowledge about the biodiversity of our local region.
The training was delivered by the East Gippsland Rainforest Conservation and Management Network with funding administered through the East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (EGCMA). It was designed to promote an understanding of techniques used in the detection and monitoring of forest dwelling species such as gliders, owls, bandicoots, reptiles and bats.
The importance of people working together was highlighted by the EGCMA chief executive officer, Graeme Dear. “It’s fantastic to be able to draw on and share the knowledge and experience of people in our region. Collaborations like this demonstrate how well our community works together to protect our environment.”
The project was funded by the Federal Government through the National Landcare Program.
Local wildlife came out to say g’day last week as the EGCMA led a community ramble around the Red Gum Plains.
Folk who attended had the opportunity to travel to sites in Skull Creek, Bengworden, Forge Creek and Cobblers Creek to see the progress of works being undertaken by the EGCMA partners including Greening Australia, Trust For Nature, Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation, Parks Vic, Gippsland Plains CMN and DELWP.
Wildflowers, a friendly echidna, birds and of course informative commentary from those in the know, were just some of the highlights of the tour. Project sites visited have been funded by the Victorian and Federal Governments to help maintain biodiversity of both plants and wildlife across the region.
The EGCMA would like to thank the community members, landholders and partner organisations who helped make this day such a success.
Lindenow South Primary School students were out to play their part in the restoration of the upper reaches of Skull Creek last week on an excursion to connect to community and country.
CEO, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Graeme Dear said, “the project is funded under the Victorian State Governments ‘Our Catchment, Our Communities’ plan which is supporting greater community involvement in managing our catchments.”
Working alongside members of Greening Australia (GA) and the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation’s On Country crew, nineteen students planted five hundred of the endangered ‘Swamp Everlasting’ and ‘Woolly Waterlily’ plants, and even found time to investigate the critters that live in the waterholes with the team from Bug Blitz.
“It’s great to be able to involve schools and the community to understand the importance of these wetland environments” noted Martin Potts, Project Manager for Gippsland at GA. “It’s not just about planting trees but the habitat as a whole. The waterholes along Skull Creek are very significant to this landscape so we need to understand that it’s not just about water but what’s living in the water, what feeds off that and how it all interacts”.
“Anything that gets the kids out of classroom is a good idea and met with 100% enthusiasm.” said Principal Michael Walker, “It was a magical excursion. The kids were all excited and it’s just opened up a new chapter of biological sciences at the school.”
