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About Local Land ServicesOperating since 2013, Local Land Services is a NSW Government agency that brings together agricultural production advice, biosecurity, natural resource and emergency management into a single organisation. Greater Sydney LLS (GS LLS) is one of eleven regions across the state. Each region is accountable for delivering services that add value to local industries, enhance natural resources, protect industries from pests and disease, and help communities respond to emergencies like flood, fire and drought. | General Manager's Welcome Welcome to the most recent edition of our Yarnin’ Up newsletter. I am pleased to again provide you all with an update on what has been happening in our Aboriginal Culture and Communities work in the Greater Sydney region. I would like to start by welcoming Les Lowe to the role of Land Services Officer Aboriginal Communities. Les has been with GS LLS for several months now and brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences with him, sharing insights into Traditional Ecological Cultural Knowledge. Les has been meeting First Nations Community members and organisations and getting out on Country. I am sure many more of you will meet Les through his role. Mitchell, our Indigenous Land Management Trainee, is doing well and gaining great experiences that will enhance his knowledge and skills, along with his formal training. The Aboriginal Communities team has gained additional depth with Les and Mitchell joining Brad who has been managing multiple activities for First Nations peoples. In other news, our Aboriginal Advisory Group (AAG) continues to come together holding two more meetings since the last newsletter. They continue to guide the GS LLS team with advice and insight through many areas of our business. It is with much sadness that I reflect on the passing of AAG member Aunty Merle Williams in late August, who has been with us for so many years. This loss was strongly felt by the AAG and all of us that worked with Aunty Merle over such a long period. Her contributions to the work of GS LLS and its legacy organisations are invaluable and paved, the way for much of the work that the AAG and the Aboriginal Communities Team are currently undertaking. I know Aunty Merle will be greatly missed there is further reflection about her contributions later in Yarnin’ Up. I would like to draw your attention to the funding opportunity coming up for First Nations communities in this edition of Yarnin’ Up. I encourage First Nations Communities to consider submitting an Expression of Interest for a GS LLS funded Caring for Country project, with interested applicants having a bit more time to put ideas forward. Please reach out to the Aboriginal Communities team if you would like to discuss a Caring for Country EOI project further. As always, please continue to provide us with your thoughts and feedback on how we can best support you and your communities, we are always open to your insights and welcome your input. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season.
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Thank you,
Sharon Elliott General Manager | | | | |
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Message from Brad Moore Senior Land Services Officer (Aboriginal Communities)Hi again to you all out there across the Greater Sydney Region and beyond. Since the last edition of Yarnin' Up it has been a period of some positive ‘ups’ with the work at Greater Sydney LLS, though also times of some ‘downs’, a reflection of the ebbs and flows of Country and life, I guess.
To start I would like to acknowledge and formally welcome Les Lowe to the Greater Sydney Aboriginal Communities Team as the Land Services Officer - Aboriginal Community Support, commencing in late June. Les comes (back) to Greater Sydney after many years working in and around Queensland, undertaking great work with First Nations communities, especially in Traditional Ecological Cultural Knowledge. The growing Aboriginal Communities team is lucky to benefit from Les’ breadth of experience and knowledge, which not only strengthens the Caring for Country outcomes we are working towards, but also assists the First Nations communities that Les has started working with. Les has hit the ground running, being part of a series of Caring for Country activities over the last few months across the region, getting to meet a range of local First Nations community members, which I trust will expand in the work Les will be part of.
I also wanted to recognise the continuing great work of the GS LLS Indigenous Land Management Trainee Mitchell Booty. Mitchell continues to support outcomes at GS LLS with great passion and regard, brought to any of the activities he is involved in, holding a deep respect for Country and First Nations Communities and Cultures. It’s terrific seeing Mitchell develop skills and experience in both GS LLS activities and cultural approaches to looking after Country, as the first GS LLS Indigenous Land Management Trainee he is creating a great foundation and pathway for other younger First Nations peoples with LLS.
Over the last few months work has continued delivering the GS LLS ‘Country, Culture, Connections’ strategic plan. Though, at first slowed by the ongoing wet period and the impacts of flooding, the Aboriginal Communities team were fortunate to support several uplifting Cultural Burns across different areas of Greater Sydney. These burns lead by the vastly skilled and highly knowledgeable Victor and Dan from Firesticks Alliance was a significant opportunity and positive experience for the First Nations community members, land managers and supporting agencies involved. The partners involved in these projects have been reflecting on the burns aiming to share more of this story soon, while planning for further activities in the right seasons next year, working within the cycles and rhythms of Country. Lastly, it’s with much sorrow that the GS LLS team and I, reflect on the passing on GS LLS Aboriginal Advisory Group (AAG) and Gundungurra Senior Elder Aunty Merle Williams. Aunty was a longstanding member of the AAG, right back to earlier times when the AAG was connect to the Catchment Management Authorities, though Aunty was involved in so many other initiatives outside of LLS. Over numerous decades, Aunty worked tirelessly to uphold the rights and interests of Gundungurra and other First Nations peoples, especially in the Blue Mountains, putting the importance of Country and the cultural inheritance therein as vital. The loss of Aunty during this period, in those downtimes, reminds us of the work she stood for, the continuing need to look after Country in honour of our Elders, and that much work still needs to be done.
I look forward to continuing to connect with many of you on-Country through the work GS LLS is supporting, while giving further updates in future editions of Yarnin’ Up to share and strengthen culture.
I hope you all have a peaceful holiday period and end to 2022 and a great start to 2023!
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Lesley (Les) Lowe an Introduction Born in Sydney in the 60’s, farther was a Redfern lad moving from Grandma’s country Lismore (Bundjalung) in the late 50’s and meeting my Māori mother at a place they used to call little Auckland (Bondi). The next decade was spent on the road living in a 15-foot Millard caravan, following the fruit picking seasons like so many First Nations Peoples. After the referendum and the change to recognise us as people, Dad found work in the factories and us kids began full time school in Grade 5. Completing year 10 and hitting the railway tracks as an apprentice carpenter I found myself surrounded by my people. Most of the track workers were First Nations, bonus for me, cultural learning from the Elders for the next four years. Working in construction, mining and agriculture helped the bank balance but did little for our culture or my spirituality. Returning to school (University) after a 35-year gap year and studying the closet degree to match that of a traditional learning (Environmental Science). Completing that degree winning lots of gongs on the way, now I was recognised as an Indigenous Scientist! One research path was Native Bees an animal that was introduced to me early in my life by mob, second degree Aviation Technologies learn to fly, Bee all you can be!!
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GS LLS 'Caring for Country' – funding opportunities until March 23
| GS LLS acknowledges the central importance that Country holds for First Nations peoples, recognised through the development and implementation of the GS LLS Caring for Country program. This program aim to support First Nations organisations and groups to develop projects that benefit Country and, through this, provide holistic outcomes for First Nations communities. GS LLS is pleased to announce that Expressions of Interest (EOI) will be open from 16 January 2023 for Caring for Country projects for the remainder of the 2022 – 23 financial year. The EOI process will remain open until the end March 2023 meaning groups or organisations can now submit an EOI when they are ready, so long as the scope of any project proposed can be completed by the end of May 2023. With this timeframe, groups may seek to deliver smaller scale short term projects that are achievable in this time. EOI forms can be found on the GS LLS website with submissions lodged electronically. Grants of up to $15,000 are available. GS LLS is happy to provide assistance in developing projects. Similarly, if you have a proposal for a longer-term project please also get in touch. Contact Brad: brad.moore@lls.nsw.gov.au or Les: lesley.lowe@lls.nsw.gov.au for further information. | |
Top tips for writing grants The Grants Hub has developed some basic grant writing tips to help you with your next grant application. Click HERE for full details.
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Yaama. Gaba ngindaay? from Mitchell Booty - GS LLS Indigenous Land Management Trainee Yaama. Gaba ngindaay? – Hello, hope you are all well? It’s been a few months since last newsletter and haven’t we been busy. My traineeship is coming along great, with a lot of practical hands on training. We had numerous workshops on Country with several First Nations Communities being guided from Uncle Victor Steffensen and Dan Morgan from Firesticks Alliance. The knowledge I came away with is empowering and invaluable. Such a privilege to be a part of these workshops with the Aboriginal Communities Team and GS LLS.
The formal training side to the traineeship has continued over the few months through Tocal College, it was great to get stuck into another avenue of study and learning and meet other undertaking the same training. I have also been getting out and about with other teams throughout the office, such as the Natural Resource Management and Biosecurity. It’s great to be get exposure to different levels and platforms in the management work GS LLS supports which contributes to Caring for Country.
I have especially enjoyed going out with the Biosecurity team, so much so that when the opportunity to act in a Biosecurity Support Officer role came up, I jumped at the chance.
I will be acting in the role until February next year, while still able to complete my traineeship studies. I will also be able to take part in On-Country cultural workshops that run parallel with my studies. It has been a rewarding and growing experience over the last several months for me. Again, I look forward to seeing you out on Country.
Yaluu.
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G’day from the GS LLS AAG G’day again to all the First Nations mob and all of you in the Greater Sydney Region. Not long ago was a time of Sorry Business for the AAG, with the loss of our long serving member Aunty Merle Williams. Aunty Merle spent many years volunteering her time and passion supporting the AAG, from the time of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (CMA) back in 2007, through the changes to the CMA into Greater Sydney Local Land Services in 2013, right up to the current AAG. We wish to pay respect to and acknowledge the contributions made by Aunty Merle, her consistent and diligent participation in the AAG, her contemplation and considered advice and her sometimes staunch and tough approach will be long and fondly remembered.
We continue to extend our sympathies to her family, her people, the Gundungurra and the Blue Mountains communities Aunty worked with, First Nations and broader community. We recognise that Aunty Merle will be greatly missed and touched the lives of many, many people.
Though the committee has experienced this loss, the work that the AAG undertakes continues, giving GS LLS guidance and advice that ensures that the inclusion of First Nations voices and cultures and an understanding of the importance of Country, is key to the work the agency does. In the quarterly AAG meetings held since the last Yarnin’ Up, the members contributed to and support numerous outcomes aligning with the GS LLS Aboriginal Strategic Plan including:
- Advice on First Nations and Caring for Country inclusions in the GS LLS Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan;
- Clarity of the role LLS holds in activities by public and private land managers which may impact on Country as well as consideration to LLS supported opportunities to establish relationships with those bodies focusing on healing this impacted Country;
- Consideration in how the International Human Rights Charter, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples is reflected in the work supported by the GS LLS Aboriginal Communities team;
- Received feedback on the final approach to GS LLS NRM directions including the position on First Nations projected outcomes and the next steps in delivering this objective;
- An introduction to Les, the new Land Services Officer Aboriginal Community Support at the recent meeting;
- Updates from Mitchell the GS LLS Indigenous Land Management Trainee, on his training and progression, including his current experience in the Bio-security team;
- Information on the progression of GS LLS Caring for Country activities, with a focus on internal project delivery, plus feedback and guidance on the grant approach for 2022 / 23;
- Support for draft interpretive signs that share the longer cultural history of the GS LLS Demonstration Farm in the Hawkesbury, intended to be part of a broader cultural space;
- The approach by GS LLS Aboriginal Communities team to a GS LLS all staff Reconciliation Week event held at the Australian Botanic Gardens Mt. Annan around the theme ‘Be Brave, Make Change’;
- Advice and guidance on the development of a draft GS LLS payments for Cultural Services Guide a key action from the Country, Culture, Connections strategic plan;
- Information on and consideration to the development of a new long-term GS LLS led project at the Department of Defence site in Orchard Hills which embeds many First Nations opportunities;
- Further updates on GS LLS enabled trial cultural knowledge sharing workshops as well as Cultural Burning activities;
- Information about the innovative pilot Aboriginal Ranger Program within other LLS regions across NSW;
- Guidance on the development of localised approaches to an LLS Statewide directed stage two Aboriginal Cultural Competency training for staff; and
- A briefing on the two ‘Yarning on Country’ events with Greater Sydney Landcare held in North West and South West Sydney earlier this year.
Before we sign off for another edition, we wanted to encourage First Nations mob, or land managers working with or building relationship with First Nations to consider putting in a GS LLS Caring for Country Grant Expression of Interest when it opens. Projects will need to be wrapped up by May 2023, so smaller or event-based projects may support stepping-stone activities towards further on-Country outcomes while continuing or strengthening cultural knowledge and practice. It is also timely to reflect with the loss of one of our AAG Elders, the importance of sharing knowledge across generations, and appreciating opportunities to hear from First Nations Elders around culture and Country. As always, the AAG continues to look forward to providing further updates to the community on the work we are involved with GS LLS through future editions of Yarnin' Up. For more information on the AAG and our role and objectives, click HERE to view our Terms of Reference.
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Vale Aunty Merle Williams Aunty Merle Williams (nee Cooper) believed deeply in Human Rights and social justice. Aunty Merle took this belief into her working life, notably her work of many years with the Miscellaneous Workers' Union spanning across NSW. Parallel to this, Aunty Merle also held a passion and respect for her Country, Gundungurra Country in the southern Blue Mountains and Southern Highlands. These strong beliefs were present throughout her life, firmly reflected in the many social and cultural focused causes that Aunty Merle volunteered for and championed during her ‘retirement’ a time which Aunty sometimes mentioned felt busier than her working life. During this time Aunty Merle dedicated much of her time to important representative bodies and activities some of which extended on from her time ‘working’, which included:
- Founding member and Secretary of The Gully Traditional Owners;
- Chair ‘The Gully’ Co-Operative Management Committee, working with Blue Mountains City Council to protect ‘The Gully’ Aboriginal Place, Katoomba;
- Founding member and Chair Gundungurra Aboriginal Heritage Association;
- Chair Gundungurra Indigenous Land Use Agreement Consultative Committee, following many years fighting through the Native Title system;
- Member NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Joint Management Custodians Network;
- Member NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Blue Mountains Regional Advisory Committee;
- Member NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee;
- Member NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Audit and Compliance Committee;
- Chair Blue Mountains City Council Aboriginal Advisory Committee;
- Chair Greater Sydney Local Land Services Aboriginal Advisory Group;
- Member of the Aboriginal Advisory Committee for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (now Local Land Services);
- Member Aboriginal Reference Group, Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area;
- Chair Blue Mountains Health Coalition and member of the Blue Mountains ‘Healthy for Life’ steering group;
- President Senior Citizens Association Katoomba;
- Member Elizabeth Evatt Legal Centre Board (now Central Tablelands and Blue Mountains Community Legal Centre);
- Secretary Manager and Licensee Lawson Bowling Club; and
- Justice of the Peace
Throughout the course of this representation, Aunty Merle was part of many great initiatives, positive outcomes and foundational movements, overcoming numerous barriers along the way, continuing with some of this work in her mid-eighties, right up to very recently. Aunty Merle passed in late August after battling ill-health, kept ever so discreet by her for some period, while continuing her important work. Aunty Merle will be remembered by the AAG and GS LLS and well beyond, for her unwavering commitment, especially for Aboriginal people and culture and her careful guidance and advice, honest, resolute or witty as the situation required.
In memory Aunty Merle Williams 1937 – 2022.
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Co-existing through Climate Change (Through an Indigenous Lens) by Les Lowe You often hear the claim ‘four seasons in one day’ in response to the weather, which in reality changes constantly under the continuous ebb and flow of the earths, Country’s (Ngurra) regulatory systems. The climate is regulated by global ecosystem services being modified over thousands of years. There are few civilizations that have survived global variations of climate, over many millennia, in truth only one has continued.
The First Nations Peoples, across the footprint of the continent now called Australia, have not only lived through these global cataclysms but have survived and thrived. Sun Tzu's ‘The Art of War’ famously wrote, `to defeat one’s enemy, one must know the enemy’. Applying this in a modern context to ‘defeat’ climate change one must know the planet, in the local context one must know Country. Make no mistake, for the most part, collectively we have made ‘war’ on our planet, every previous civilization has been devastated by climate change.
The question then, is how can First Nations Knowledges assist in our struggles to mitigate the accelerated effects of climate change? The writing is on the wall, literally when it comes to our people. At Turraburra in Central west Queensland, on the edge of what was once an inland sea of Australia, is 200 metres of inscriptions on a sandstone monolith, a story spanning countless generations, if only we understood. Over three ice ages, ocean level massively rising and receding, volcanism, tsunamis and earthquakes, First Nations peoples have witnessed and thrived. Today, like many of our native species, this knowledge stands on the verge of extinction. To consider just one aspect of this wealth of information, Aboriginal pharmaceuticals, having saved millions of people around the world, prompting historian Geoffrey Blainey to write `The medicinal knowledge of the forgotten men and women of the Great Southern Land has helped alleviate so much suffering of all people, which was especially the case during the Second World War.’ What a substantial risk is posed, to lose such invaluable expertise.
From the adaptation of pyro-agricultural techniques to lore and social governance systems, First Nations peoples have continuously adapted climate mitigation strategies. This in turn lent to greater resilience and faster community recoveries, post climatic disasters.
The sheer scale of these events is unprecedented in the modern recorded histories of the world. The last known global climate event from the Northern hemisphere, is reflected in records such as biblical stories of Noah and the Ark, among others. First Nations knowledge bases contain records of climatic and other events that span at least 65,000 years of our collective history, an awesome and inspiring thought to appreciate, safeguard and embrace.
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Have you seen this weed out on Country? Frogbit is a fast growing, floating freshwater weed that forms large dense mats across the water's surface. This prevents native water plants from growing, reduces light, food and shelter for fish and other aquatic animals, it can block waterways and irrigation channels. It grows on the surface of freshwater rivers, ponds, dams, lakes, canals and other aquatic habitats, in shade and full sun. The image below gives a sense to how Frogbit could severely impact important wetlands and water courses on Country, endangered native plants and animals, but also First Nations medicines, foods, and culturally significant sites.
At a closer look, the bright green leaves usually rounded at the tip are up to 4 cm across and glossy on top with a spongy thickish underside. As the leaves mature, they lose their spongy underside become more oval shaped and can extend up to 50 cm above the water. Flowers are about 13 mm wide, white, greenish-white or yellowish, either male or female (male flowers are on longer stalks often above the female flowers).
Please do not attempt to treat or dispose of Frogbit yourself. Report this plant if you see it anywhere on Country by calling the NSW DPI Biosecurity Helpline on: 1800 680 244.
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Frogbit forms dense mats that cover the water’s surface.
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Creating Canopies - Greater Sydney Landcare continues to look for opportunities to plant trees to support habitat and shade on private and public land. They are especially looking for sites where trees are in most need. For more information email trees@greatersydneylandcare.org or call 4724 2147.
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An important woodland canopy resembling 'Healthy Country'. Image P. Ridgeway.
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End of year arrangements GS LLS will be closed during the Christmas shutdown period from Monday 26 December 2022 to Friday 6 January 2023 inclusive. Any projects, activities or enquires that need urgent attention should occur prior to the Christmas period or be held over until the new year.
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Thanks for reading the fourth e-edition of the Greater Sydney Local Land Services Yarnin' Up newsletter.
Please feel free to forwarded to other Aboriginal community members and organisations that may be interested in the newsletter.
We always welcome your feedback and input and would love to hear from you if there is specific information and resources you would like to see showcased in our upcoming editions. Please feel free to get in touch if you have suggestions, compliments (or complaints) on the content. You can also keep up to date with the latest news about our projects, programs and other initiatives via social media.
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Greater Sydney Local Land Services acknowledges we operate in and deliver services throughout Country of First Nations people in the Greater Sydney Region.
We recognise and respects Elders and cultural knowledge holders, past and present, while acknowledging the unique and diverse enduring cultures and histories of all First Nations people.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.
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The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing. However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that the information upon which they rely is up to date and to check the currency of the information with the appropriate officer of Local Land Services or the user’s independent adviser. For updates go to www.lls.nsw.gov.au
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Greater Sydney Local Land Services Lvl 4, 2-6 Station Street, Penrith, NSW, 2750, Australia
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