Worimi First Landcarers Workshop June 2016

Project Partnership with HunterLLS – First Landcarers Workshop Report

The Scoop

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The First Landcares Field day took place on 11 June 2016, at Murrook Cultural Centre. This is the home of the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council. It was attended by 14 registered participants and four Worimi staff and members. A fifth staff member joined the group for the afternoon session and Uncle Nevil gave the Welcome to Country address.

The morning started with the Welcome to Country address, including a potted history of the Worimi  nation, their boundaries and the connection to the local area. Opening the morning session with a story about the White and Black Cokato Richard Kime, assisted by Brett Chambers and Joel Richie, went on to present a comprehensive overview of the business units operating out of the Murrook Cultural Centre and the formation and management of the Worimi Conservation Lands. He then explained how the Worimi Green Team originated, their humble beginning and progress to date. Now with five staff members and admin support they expect to break even financially this year. He spoke about some of the projects and partnerships they are presently involved in and the practical and theoretical training the team continue to undertake. This was followed by a short walk around some of the gardens to look at plant species of particular significance to the Worimi people.

After a fabulous lunch the group piled into the 4WD bus and were taken out to the Sand Dunes. The bus drove past the normal carpark area and the group walked through the Land Councils private land (away from the general public and recreational vehicle area). Johnathan Lilly (Cultural and Heritage Education Officer) led the group over the sand dunes to an area where they looked down on the freshwater lagoons. Here, out of the wind and with Sea Eagles soaring above he built a small fire, sat everyone down and proceeded to explain what this land meant to him and his family. Jonathan had brought along his young nephew, ensuring that the knowledge was passed down to future generations. At times he spoke in the Worimi language, interpreting for the group and teaching them a few Worimi words and the proper pronunciation.

A second story about the Black Cokato was a fitting end to a practical and cultural informative event. After the drive back to the centre participants were greeted with refreshments and even doggy bags of fruit to take home with them.

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