Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) celebrated their ongoing partnership to protect and enhance Wadawurrung Country.
To acknowledge the nearly decade-long partnership the two organisations met at the confluence of the Moorabool and Barwon Rivers in Fyansford.
Leaders of both partner organisations reiterated their commitment to working together to continue leading landscape care on Wadawurrung Country.
WTOAC CEO Paul Davis said he hoped the partnership would serve as a positive example for other organisations.
“Over the last few years, the Corangamite CMA has taken a genuine interest in collaborating with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in a number of ways,” Mr Davis said.
“The Kitjarra-djabul Bullatro Langi-ut project is one of multiple activities and it is my hope that formalising this particular collaboration with a partnership is an example other organisations can strive for to support self-determination and real outcomes for Wadawurrung people.”
Corangamite CMA CEO John Riddiford said the working relationship was invaluable.
“The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Corporation are one of our most important partners, sharing a deep commitment to transforming the landscape to protect culture, biodiversity, and waterways,” Mr Riddiford said.
“The Corangamite CMA consider the partnership we have with the Wadawurrung to be the measure by which we aspire all our partnerships to reach, one of mutual respect, trust and genuine engagement, where we share knowledge and learn together.”
Mr Riddiford highlighted the recent work the partnership had achieved.
“Together we are leading the Kitjarra-dja-bul Bullarto Langi-ut (Place of many stories) project to protect and increase access to the unique environmental, cultural and recreational values of the Barwon and Moorabool Rivers,” he said.
“We are working together to protect the Moorabool River and the Victorian Volcanic Plains, through a number of shared projects.
“This includes cultural burning, monitoring (of water quality and biodiversity), and supporting property owners to fence, weed, and revegetate grasslands and river frontage.
“With the support of WTOAC we are also delivering environmental water to the Moorabool and Lower Barwon to support cultural and environmental improvements.”
