By KATH GANNAWAY
A $108,000 National Landcare Program grant will kick-start a 10-year vision that would see the former Coranderrk Aboriginal Station returned to a well-managed working property.
Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (CMA) announced the grant to Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation in Healesville on Friday (20 November).
CMA will work with the Wandoon Estate, owned and operated by the Wurundjeri people, to roll out a range of activities including weed control, fencing and revegetation to create wildlife corridors and increase habitat of the critically endangered helmeted honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum.
Federal Member for Casey, Tony Smith, joined representatives of CMA, Wandoon Estate and other stakeholders to celebrate and hear more about Wandoon Estate’s plans for the future.
Wandoon representative, Jacqui Wandin, said their project was called ‘Dill ba din Biik’, meaning ‘protect ground’.
The spoke of the history of Coranderrk and the festivals and other events over the past seven years that lead them to reflect on what needed to be done to and for the land.
“We felt we had raised awareness of this property, but we had not honoured all the hard work and determination shown by the residents who lived, worked and died here,” she said.
“We are fortunate that we have people like you here today who are willing to listen and support us.
“My ancestors did not have that luxury.”
She said the property held huge significance not only to the Wurundjeri as traditional people, but to all the people from other places who worked so hard to provide for themselves, their families and the Coranderrk community.
She said the project was the first stage in achieving their 10-year vision for Coranderrk which included a well-managed property with healthy cattle, productive pasture, good infrastructure, sensitive areas protected, extensive tree planting, bush tucker gardens and community gardens.
“Of equal importance is that a visitor would see indigenous people with the relevant knowledge, skills and training, managing Coranderrk.”
Ms Wandin spoke of the parallels that saw their ancestors and residents living at Coranderrk draw on and demonstrate co-operation and collaboration, which said was also one of the main strengths they drew on today.
The project will start this month and run over the next two years.
