The Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and Latrobe City Council have formalised a partnership to create employment opportunities for the local Aboriginal community, and to heal Country through on-ground environmental works.
Both organisations signed a memorandum of understanding in late 2021 to deliver a natural resource management works program based at Latrobe City’s Airlie Bank Nursery in Morwell.
The program will focus on creating employment opportunities for Aboriginal community members to reconnect with Country and develop and share their skills and knowledge.
GLaWAC and Council will work together to deliver the program, which will include revegetation works, waterway restoration, pest management, bushfire fuel reduction, seed collection and plant propagation.
The MoU aligns with the Gunaikurnai Whole of Country Plan and supports the achievement of the LCC Reconciliation Action Plan 2020-2022 (RAP).
Mayor of Latrobe City Cr Kellie O’Callaghan said the partnership acknowledged a shared commitment to respect and was an opportunity for Council to broaden its cross-cultural understanding.
“We are looking forward to working together to achieve the goals of this MoU, creating genuine employment outcomes for Aboriginal community members and protecting and enhancing waterways and bushland reserves within the Gunaikurnai Native Title area,” said Cr O’Callaghan.
Daniel Miller, CEO, GLaWAC said, “GLaWAC is committed to providing employment opportunities for the Traditional Owner and Aboriginal community right across our RAP area, and we are excited to work with LCC to grow this side of our business. Caring for Country and culture provides opportunities for community and personal healing.”
