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Click through to see the video.
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SUMMARY OF DECISIONS AT BOARD MEETING HELD 6 MAY 2019
Charitable Trust
The Board has been advised by lawyers that a charitable trust should be established to hold some of our major assets. It is currently being put in place.
Biik Heritage Services
There is also a new company called Biik Heritage Services being established to provide heritage advisory and related services in order to increase revenue for TLaWC and its members.
Land Use Activity Agreement
One of the agreements that make up the Settlement Agreement with the State is a Land Use Activity Agreement (LUAA) which, when it becomes operational, will provide Taungurung people with a range of rights with regard to all activities on Crown Land across the RSA area. The Board discussed how these matters would be addressed and put in place certain delegations for decision-making
Possum Skin Cloaks
Two of the three new possum skin cloaks were presented to the Board by Annette Sax, who had led one of the three cloak-making teams.
One is a womens' cloak and the other is for use at funerals. Annette provided an excellent Powerpoint presentation on the cloak-making process, which will be posted on the TLaWC website in the very near future.
Fordham
The accounting firm Fordham are being appointed to provide accounting services in place of our current accountants.
This is not a reflection on the current services – rather, it is because Fordham have a very strong track record in working with Aboriginal groups with complex financial management needs – and TLaWC will soon be in that category!
New Members
Sixteen new members were approved by the Board.
Sovereign Flag
We are still accepting submissions for designs for a sovereign flag for Taungurung. Members are again invited to submit design ideas.
Chris Marshall
Manager, Administration
and Corporate Develoment
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Meeting to Endorse Outcome of Boundary Negotiation with the Yorta Yorta Nation
Last Wednesday (22 May) a small team of Taungurung negotiators (Grant Hansen, Matt Burns, Bernadette Franklin and Brad Letman) met with Yorta Yorta negotiators at Nagambie to try to reach agreement on the boundary between the two nations.
There had been meetings over the past few years and respect was accorded to those previous discussions as having provided a foundation for further talks.
There was goodwill at the meeting and a shared commitment to achieve an outcome, with the result that an agreement was reached, with compromises being made by both sides.
The Yorta Yorta negotiators had authority from their Board and elders to make binding decisions and they have endorsed the agreed boundary.
But the Taungurung negotiators made it clear that they would need to take the agreement back to the Taungurung people for endorsement.
A full group meeting will therefore be held at the Broadford Golf Club (30 Horwood Rd, Broadford) at 10am on Saturday 29 June – organised by First Nations Legal and Research Services (FNLRS).
(Lunch will be served at 12.30)
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The photo below was taken at the most recent TLaWC Board Meeting when Annette Sax presented the first two cloaks - a womens' cloak and a funeral cloak - to the Board. The cloak in the photo is the beautiful new womens' possum skin cloak.
Mick Harding is commencing work on TLaWC's third new cloak and invites interested Taungurung people to join him.
This cloak is for TLaWC’s general ceremonial purposes, such as welcomes or anything else that involves ceremony (except funerals).
If you'd like to be part of this great project, please contact Mick direct on 0437 422-447.
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The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council
The Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council is a statutory body with all members being Victorian Traditional Owners.
Their work aims to move the Victorian community towards a place of understanding and respect for Aboriginal cultural heritage and to ensure the responsibility for this heritage sits with Traditional Owners.
Council :
- provides advice to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
- decides on RAP appointments
- oversees management of Ancestral remains
- promotes public awareness and understanding of Aboriginal cultural heritage.
The Council is currently accepting nominations from Victorian Traditional Owners who are Victorian residents, have extensive knowledge of Aboriginal cultural heritage, and have the time to commit to Council duties.
Further information is available at :
https://bit.ly/2JWDsit
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The Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission has allocated one seat for us on the Peoples’ Assembly, which will oversee the process of negotiating a Treaty for Victorian Kooris.
Over the next few weeks we need to undertake a process that gives our members input into the selection of the TLaWC representative on the Assembly.
The first step in this process is this call for nominations from members interested in filling the position.
The following selection criteria will be applied in assessing nominations :
- Excellent interpersonal skills and proven experience in building strong and positive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
- A proven ability to influence and negotiate optimal outcomes
- High quality written and oral communication and presentation skills, so as to represent and drive a Taungurung agenda
- Presents as a true Taungurung leader in a proud, genuine and respectful manner
- An ability to provide clear and accurate reports to TLAWC and the mob
- Proven ability to provide innovative and creative ideas as well as problem solving capabilities in a complex negotiation environment
- Possess knowledge and understanding of the treaty-making process in order to benefit both the Taungurung people and the Treaty Assembly
In responding to these selection criteria it is important that interested persons are aware of the principles set out in the Treaty Legislation, which are the following :or
22 Self-determination and empowerment
(1) Traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians have the right to self‑determination.
(2) Traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians are empowered to freely determine their participation in the treaty process and, to this end, their form of representation in the treaty process.
23 Fairness and equality
(1) The parties to the treaty process must ensure fairness between parties as they work together to advance the treaty process.
(2) The parties to the treaty process must make decisions that promote equality for traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians.
24 Partnership and good faith
(1) The parties to the treaty process must work together in good faith to advance the treaty process.
(2) If any disputes arise in advancing the treaty process, the parties to the treaty process must resolve those disputes as soon as possible after they arise.
25 Mutual benefit and sustainability
(1) The parties to the treaty process must commit to a treaty process that, in an ongoing and sustainable manner, provides material social, economic and cultural benefits for traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians.
(2) The parties to the treaty process must commit to advancing the treaty process in a manner that promotes reconciliation and celebration of cultures of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians and, in doing so, provides benefits to the whole of the Victorian community.
26 Transparency and accountability
The parties to the treaty process must act with honesty and integrity and must be accountable for their shared commitment to self-determination and to the treaty process.
If you are interested in applying, please respond to the above in writing by 14 June, 2019.
Written applications addressing the key selection criteria should be addressed to:
Matthew Burns
CEO
PO Box 505, Broadford, 3658
or : ceo@taungurung.com.au
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Taungurung badjur Second Gathering at Horseshoe Lagoon
Last week, as part of a project which aims to restore water to the Horseshoe lagoon, Taungurung badjur (women) had the second gathering in Trawool. The gathering was to engage and welcome Melbourne Polytechnic students.
They conducted flora and fauna surveys on 7/8 May and they were back at the camping site on 21/22 May.
The students looked at; fox, deer and pig numbers and distribution, evidence of turtle nests, koala, and they also surveyed for platypus and water rat (rakali).
After one of our regular meetings, the members of the Baan Ganalina decided to allow the students to contribute to the Horseshoe Lagoon project but not before being part of a smoking ceremony for them to stay on such a meaningful site and not without receiving cultural information about the Lagoon.
This voluntary work will contribute to creating a more complete ecological baseline of the site to implement monitoring programs in the future. Finally, this initiative has also contributed to reconnecting Taungurung badjur with the Lagoon and strengthening TLAWC’s relations with Parks Victoria and Melbourne Polytechnic.
Baan Ganalina 5th meeting
Last Friday 17 May, our Water Knowledge group – Baan Ganalina, had its fifth gathering in Broadford.
The purpose of the meeting was to make decisions about Taungurung projects in waterways such as Horseshoe Lagoon and future implementation of Aboriginal Waterways Assessments (AWA).
Representatives from North East Catchment Management Authority were invited to provide information about the projects they have on the King and the Ovens Rivers, discuss the use of the environmental water and start planning the implementation of an AWA in that region.
Alexandro Voysest
Water Officer
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SPECIAL REQUEST TO MEMBERS
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Special Request Regarding Cultural Information
The TLaWC Board is concerned about reports that some TLaWC members have been making public statements and decisions about matters that are the business of all Taungurung people – and therefore the business of TLaWC.
The Board therefore requests that all members be given the following advice:
- No action should be taken to give a name to any place or feature on Taungurung country without first consulting with TLaWC. These matters are the business of the Taungurung people as a whole and therefore for TLaWC as the representative of the Taungurung people. The State Government is wanting to acknowledge Traditional Owners across the State with a series of consultations around re-naming country. This consultation hasn’t occurred with Taungurung as yet, but will happen in the months to come. We are looking forward to the opportunity to have Taungurung language recognised throughout our waterways and other features right across Taungurung country, including re-naming country where names have been lost or forgotten. If you have any knowledge of placenames, please contact TLaWC through Matt, Shane or Francisco.
- While the Board is very supportive of Taungurung people publicly sharing their culture, there is a need for shared agreement regarding the key facts of story, language, lore and practice. The Board is therefore proposing that a Taungurung cultural awareness information pack be developed, with input from all Taungurung elders and knowledge holders to enable some consistency of message in expressing Taungurung culture.
- If such an information pack is developed with the guidance of elders and knowledge holders, there would then be an expectation that Taungurung people would not make public statements inconsistent with the agreed cultural information resource pack – as to do so would just create public confusion.
- This would include such matters as the spelling and pronunciation of words and names. As an example, recent media reports quoting a Taungurung person using names such as “Dhagung Wurrung” rather than “Taungurung” to describe our people have created confusion in the minds of the public, who now are unsure how the people that TLaWC represents actually wish their group name to be spelled and pronounced. For clarity, we are Taungurung, as the founding members of our corporation wished it to be, and any change in the future would require the endorsement of the mob.
We welcome comments and feedback on these matters.
Matthew Burns
CEO
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We were privileged to receive a visit from Aunty Cindy, a Pitjantjatjara woman from Central Australia who has knowledge of Taungurung stories.
We showed Aunty Cindy an enhanced image of some rock art on Taungurung country. She immediately recognised it as a womens’ story and place. She shared the story of the rock art with the women in the office.
Aunty Cindy enjoyed speaking in her language in the office with Chris Marshall.
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We held the first Elders Meeting at Y Water Discovery Centre Yea on Friday 15 March 2019.
The topic for the discussion was the formation of a TLaWC Elders Advisory Group.
We had a great meeting, with a follow-up meeting to be held on Friday 14 June in the Broadford office.
The meeting will again be facilitated by Daphne Yarram, who did a deadly job at our first meeting. Elders attending will be paid a sitting fee of $100. This can be in the form of a gift card and Elders will also be eligible for travel assistance of 70 cents per kilometre.
Second Elders Meeting
Topic: Formation of a TLaWC Elders Advisory Group
Friday 14 June 2019
10.30 am to 3pm
TLaWC 37 High Street, Broadford
Please contact Sharon Briggs on 03 5784 1433 or sbriggs@taungurung.com.au
to advise whether you will be attending this very important meeting
including whether accommodation is required.
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ELDERS’ VOICE MODEL FOR TREATY
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Pricewaterhouse Coopers Indigenous Consulting have been engaged by the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission (VTAC) to facilitate a number of workshop conversations with Victorian Elders to design an Elders’ Voice model for the current treaty process.
Their priority is to speak to as many Elders as possible across Victoria, to hear their views and aspirations on the design of an Elders’ Voice model that will advise and support the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
The Assembly will be the state-wide body of Victorian Traditional Owners (selected by the Victorian Aboriginal community) to work with government to establish a treaty framework.
For Taungurung Elders this workshop was held at the TLaWC office in Broadford on Monday 27 May 2019, however Elders who were unable to attend this workshop can still have input.
For telephone consultations and/or written submissions
please contact Adrian Sculthorpe for further information on
Adrian.sculthorpe@pwc.com or 0408 373-790.
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Our next cultural camp will be held at Camp Jungai over the weekend of 22/23 June. This camp will be for those Taungurung people interested in strengthening their performance skills in cultural song and dance. It is also an opportunity for the young ones to learn their culture through song and dance and take part in all aspects of these performance workshops.
Continuation of songs in language workshops include:
- Practicing existing songs and opportunity for new singers to learn language as well as the new songs produced at camp.
- Take one of our creation stories and learn how to interpret and re-write that story in language and learn the language as the song is practised.
Continuation of cultural dance workshops include:
- Practicing existing dances and opportunity for new dancers and children to learn the steps and movements involved.
- Working together to choreograph new dance to accompany any new songs and making improvements towards expression through dance.
- Making adornments worn for dance and song performances.
Cultural Camp – Camp Jungai, Rubicon
22 & 23 June 2019
Accommodation available from Friday night 21 June.
Travel assistance of a $50 gift card per car will be provided to attendees
Please contact Sharon Briggs on 5784-1433 (Broadford Office)
or sbriggs@taungurung.com.au
to advise whether you will be attending.
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INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN DICTIONARY OF BIOGRAPHY
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The INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIAN DICTIONARY OF BIOGRAPHY is seeking Indigenous stories.
The Australian Dictionary of Australia, or ADB, tells the stories of more than 13,000 Australians who have now passed away so we can all remember them in the future. It is more than 50 years old, and every year it is read more than 70 million times. It is also free to read online at http://adb.anu.edu.au/
They are looking to add approx 200 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people's stories.
Is there someone who did really important work for your people and you think everyone should know their story? Is there someone in your community, who lived a long time ago, and who you still remember and talk about today? Is there someone real deadly you want to tell us about?
If so, then please complete the nomination form at https://www.uwa.edu.au/Projects/Indigenous-biography-project.
The nominations will be considered by ADB's national Indigenous Working Party, comprising Indigenous researchers from across Australia. This project is led by Dr Shino Konishi from the University of Western Australia, and is funded by the Australian Research Council.
If you have any questions please contact Shino at shino.konishi@uwa.edu.au
Main criteria for inclusion is that the person passed away before 2000.
Important notes :
- particularly keen to receive nominations of women, or people who passed away before 1940 as there are not many of either currently in the ADB.
- people who are important to local communities (not necessarily nationally famous).
- ADB is unable to provide funds for the research or writing of the short biographies, but will fact-check, edit and prepare the entries for publishing on the ADB website where they can be freely read by millions of people.
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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER
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Hi, I’m Joanne Honeysett-Uzoh the newly appointed community engagement project officer and proud Taungurung woman.
I have an extensive background in community service and have worked with various Aboriginal organisations over many years.
I will be engaging with the Taungurung people in order to foster an increased sense of community, connection and involvement.
In my own time I enjoy creating artwork and painting.
Joanne Honeysett-Uzoh
Community Liaison Officer
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PART-TIME WORK - PUCKAPUNYAL
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Simulation Interactor
We have been advised by the Australian Army of some ongoing part-time roles (40 days per year), primarily based at Puckapunyal.
These positions are casual and for a period of up to 18 months.You will operate a Battle Simulation Workstation using Defence simulation software.
Required skills :
- accountable for following specific direction,
- excellent hand and eye coordination,
- dexterity with computer controls,
- excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills
- ability to liaise with different levels of personnel.
Maximum of 20 days casual work spread over each 6-week course, twice a year.
Courses are conducted in Apr-May and Oct-Nov. Selection tests will be conducted at Tobruk Barracks Puckapunyal.
If you are interested, please contact the office for further information.
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Staff Vacancies at TLaWC
The following vacant positions either currently exist at TLaWC or will be available in the very near future:
DELWP Liaison Officer
- Funding offered to us by DELWP to ensure effective Taungurung input to all matters on Taungurung land for which DELWP has responsibility
- Must be filled by a Taungurung person
- Preliminary discussions underway with a view to filling the position
Forest Management Officer
- New DELWP-funded position – the same duties as Alejandro’s water management position
- Already mentioned in the last newsletter to give first option to Taungurung people
- Now to be advertised on the open job market
Part-time Officer focused on economic development from water
- Another DELWP-funded position – only for a couple of days per week
- Further details still to come from DELWP
- Likely to focus on the agribusiness use of the TLaWC property at Cheshunt on the King River.
If interested in any of the above, please contact the Broadford Office.
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Please see the following four opportunities currently available for our artists.
1. Broadford Footy-Netball Club (Indigenous round uniforms)
The Broadford Football Netball club is hosting an art competition to find a suitable design for their future Indigenous Round logo.
The original artwork would be hung in the clubroom and printed across playing jumpers and netball dresses for the Indigenous Round.
The design should be relevant to their kangaroo logo and show connection to country. Artistic flair is highly encouraged to help bring the logo to life and tell a story.
Closing date is 25 July 2019. Winning entry will be rewarded with $500.
To enter, or any questions about the competition brief, please contact Club President and Taungurung woman Bonnie Cavanagh at bonniecavanagh@hotmail.com
broadfordfootballnetballclub.teamapp.com/
Closing date is 25 July 2019.
Winning entry will be rewarded with $500.
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2. Taungurung Sovereign Flag
We have extended the closing date for entries to our sovereign flag design competition.
Closing date is now 31 July 2019.
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Road Signage
3. VicRoads
We are in consultation with VicRoads about establishing Welcome to Country signage.
The signs would be erected on certain main roads at the point where they enter Taungurung country.
Each sign is 600mm from the ground reaching a further 3.5 metres tall and 1.5 metres wide.
There is usually a message (Welcome to Taungurung Country) with a totem. It is recommended that artists steer clear of the standard VicRoads signage colours of Destination Green, Rest Area Blue and Tourism Brown.
The following are examples of the signage developed by neighbouring groups.
 
4. Murrindindi Shire Council
Murrindindi Shire are keen to place 'You are on Taungurung Country' signs at their boundary. We also require a design for this sign.
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27 May - 3 June
NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK
2019 Theme
'Grounded in truth. Walk together with courage'
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Friday 14 June
Elders Group Meeting
TLaWC Offices, Broadford
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1 - 14 July
NAIDOC WEEK
Victoria 1 to 7 July
National 7 to 14 July
2019 Theme
'Voice, Treaty, Truth. Let's work together for a shared future.'
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30 July
BOARD MEETING
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3 October
TANDERRUM
To be confirmed
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