Melbourne Water and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners are partnering to Care for Country
Melbourne Water and Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation are proud to announce the signing of their partnership Agreement Wunggurwill Ngitj – which means Strong together.
This Partnership Agreement sets out the framework under which Melbourne Water and Wadawurrung will work together to support and implement the Paleert Tjaara Dja Wadawurrung Country Plan across the yulluks (waterways), Dja (Country) and skies of Wadawurrung Country.
Our ‘spirit of partnership’ agrees to recognise, respect, appreciate and support Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, Wadawurrung Culture and Wadawurrung’s role in making decisions for and looking after Wadawurrung Dja (Country). We will work together to build capacity, develop skills, share knowledge and technology, educate, strengthen, and share culture and provide a strong economic foundation through rights to Wadawurrung Country for Wadawurrung people.
“The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and Melbourne Water Partnership Agreement is a framework of action for better outcomes. It is a key step in fostering a deeper understanding, respect and appreciation for Wadawurrung Culture entwined in our operations,” Managing Director, Melbourne Water, Dr. Nerina Di Lorenzo said.
The Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) is the Registered Aboriginal Party for Wadawurrung country. With the statutory authority for the management of Aboriginal heritage values and culture, under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act, 2006.
The Partnership has four themes of collaboration; Cultural Services, Policy and Strategy, Cultural Heritage, and Caring for Country. These themes provide a pathway for us to deliver on agreed priorities in a productive and respectful way.
Under the Partnership, a steering committee has been established that will help bring together resilient and meaningful and respect-driven relationships with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners and land managers for Melbourne Water.
“This Partnership ensures Wadawurrung Culture and knowledge continues to shape the way that land and waterways are cared for.
“I look forward to the practical implementation of the Partnership and welcome ongoing engagement with our Wadawurrung Traditional Owner peoples as we work and learn together,” added Dr. Nerina Di Lorenzo.
“The partnership with Melbourne Water means Wadawurrung Traditional Owners are making decision about applying cultural practices and knowledge to fulfil our cultural responsibilities in looking after our Dja (Country), our grasslands and yaluks (waterways) to heal them. Our Dja and yaluks sustain so many people and are struggling.
“We are sharing our culture and stories for these places, our connection with them to bring greater understanding of how they have and are to be cared for. It is also an opportunity for us to gain knew skills and build our own economic base through caring for Dja, to see benefits back to our Wadawurrung community for current and future generations,” said, Sarah Eccles - Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation Co-Chair.
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