The NSW Environmental Trust has provided $400,000 over three years for a new project called Reconnecting to Country, which aims to improve the health of the Wilsons River catchment through on-the-ground environmental actions and cultural exchanges with Widjabul custodians.
The first step for the project is a series of community workshops to be held throughout the region in November to introduce the project, the Widjabul custodians, and the process of working together as Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.
After getting community input and ideas from the workshops about how people feel they can improve catchment health, working groups to run different projects will be established. These groups could undertake practical measures like tree planting and rehabilitating the banks of waterways. The projects are only limited by the community's imagination.
Spokesperson for the project, Anthony Acret from Rous Water, says that the project aims to build a culture of sustainability, develop creative partnerships, build capacity to employ Aboriginal people in sustainability education and action, and cultivate a sense of place and reconciliation.
The Widjabul custodians have a simple message for everyone: Jahna ngali garimaleh jogun, which means "Let's stand together, looking after country".
A partnership project, it includes the community, Rous Water, the Widjabul custodians and Sustainable Futures Australia.
For further information or to register for one of the free workshops phone Emily at Sustainable Futures Australia on 6685 7194 or email wilsonsriver@sustainablefutures.com.au.
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