South Coast NRM

Project Profile

Issues

Developed to strengthen participation and engagement of Aboriginal people, Restoring Connections is a community driven project working with Noongar communities across the South Coast region of Western Australia to identify, protect and restore cultural places at risk of degradation.

Project Detail

South Coast NRM is proud to be nominated for a National Landcare Award for the development and implementation of its innovative Restoring Connections project, in partnership with the Aboriginal people of the South Coast region of Western Australia.

Developed to strengthen participation and engagement of Aboriginal people of all ages, Restoring Connections is a community driven project working with Noongar communities across the region to identify, protect and restore cultural places at risk of degradation.

Facilitated by the Restoring Connections team and supported by local Elders, the project has developed and implemented a range of natural resource management and heritage projects which have helped to build and strengthen community skills.

Sites of significance identified by the Aboriginal community, including Lake Pleasant View, Tooklejenna, Mt Ridley, Pink Lake Waterhole, Quaranup, Oyster Harbour Fish Traps and Blue Lakes, are now used as platforms to share knowledge with the wider community. Community and media channels have also been used extensively to increase awareness of these sites of significance and to promote a better understanding of the cultural and environmental legacy provided by Aboriginal people.

The success of South Coast NRM’s Restoring Connections project is testament to strong partnerships between the Aboriginal community and stakeholders including the Federal Department of Indigenous Affairs, WA Department of Water, City of Albany, Shire of Denmark, Shire of Ravensthorpe, Shire of Esperance, Historical Society of Ravensthorpe, Oyster Harbour Catchment Group, Colgate University, Applied Archaeology, and the Historical Society of Albany

The project has also engaged several local schools, catchment groups and conservation organisations, providing Noongar people with opportunities to share stories and educate new audiences on a range of traditional activities.

Gathering and building on the knowledge of Indigenous Elders and integrating this with current work in natural resource management and restoration has fostered a greater culture of collaboration and respect in the South Coast region, and ensured that this important knowledge is not lost.

Restoring Connections is one of 88 finalists in the National Landcare Awards to be announced in Canberra on 24 June 2010. Commencing in 1991, the awards celebrate the achievements of individuals and groups that make a valuable contribution to the land and coast where they live and work.

Photography

South Coast NRM