APRIL 2016 Connected to ISSUE 03

ABORIGINAL NRM NEWS FROM THE SA ARID LANDS

Anita Patterson, right, presenting her speech with her mother and Yandruwandha elder Gloria Patterson nee Kerwin

CONTENTS YANDRUWANDHA YANDRUWANDHA RECOGNISED AS NATIVE TITLE HOLDERS 01 YAWARRAWARRKA TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE BORN ON COUNTRY 04 RECOGNISED AS UP AND DOWN TO THE DESERT NATIVE TITLE HOLDERS WHENEVER WE CAN… 06 IKARA- After a near 20-year legal journey for the NATIONAL PARK 08 REGINA BRIDGING THE GAP 10 Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka people, the day had HARD YAKKA 12 finally arrived – their Native Title claim was upheld. As part of the momentous day, applicants Theresa Bottrell and Anita Paterson gave heartfelt and moving speeches to the hundreds in attendance, bringing many to tears. Extracts from these speeches are shared here, with their kind permission.

Continued on Page 03

CONNECTED TO COUNTRY | 01 WELCOME

Catherine Hollingsworth

Mark Murray Sutton Tyler Leonard Nutt Michael Malavazos

Neil Power Daryl Bell John Virtue

Stuart Pauline Paul McKenzie Rick Barratt Janet Brook

Ross Sawers WELCOME BACK (Absent) It brings me great pleasure to welcome you back to Connected to Country, this time with news Connected to Country is a space where we share from three of the region’s language groups: the the variety of stories , , and natural resources and Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka. management activities that are occurring on his third edition is a proud one and is of all, of their delight in being on country, traditional lands across Tstraight from the heart as Traditional sharing stories with the young people so the SA Arid Lands region. Owners – Theresa Bottrell, Anita Paterson, that they too may look after their country Jean Barr-Crombie, Valerie Naylon-Fuschtei, and pass down those stories. We also welcome Uncle Mark McKenzie, and Regina On behalf of the Board, I thank Theresa, contributions from other McKenzie – share their pride, often with Anita, Jean, Valerie, Uncle Mark and government and non- hints of pain, in their continuing journeys to Regina for allowing us to share their government agencies, protect their culture and their country. words here. native title holders and As you read this edition you will find common themes are shared – of the Janet Brook individuals so that we can importance of respect, recognition, and Presiding Member collectively present ideas, partnerships; of sharing knowledge, SA Arid Lands Natural Resources stories and knowledge protecting cultural sites, preserving Management Board to raise awareness of language; of acknowledging elders past and present while finding employment natural resources matters opportunities for the young; and, most in the region.

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02 YANDRUWANDHA YAWARRAWARRKA

…from Page 01 special bush hearing of the Federal ACourt was held at Cullyamurra Waterhole on 16 December, where the Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka were formally recognised – by consent – as the rightful native title holders of approximately 42,000 square kilometres of north-east . For Theresa, a Yawarrawarrka woman, her journey began at a young age when she was first introduced back to her country. “…I stand here today on the beautiful Cullyamurra Waterhole banks – the place where my uncle, Fredrick Brown, was Theresa Bottrell accepting the consent to determination from The Hon Justice J R born and the place where my beautiful Mansfield AM grandparents, Snyder Brown and Mable Harrison-Brown, first introduced me to this amazing and wonderful land at the “I’d like to say to age of seven – accepting our consent to determination,” said Theresa. our elders, past Filed in 1998, the original joint claim and present, who covers an area that includes Malkumba- “Without the knowledge of the history National Park, Innamincka from our past and present Yawarrawarrka have… paved this Regional Reserve and the Strzelecki elders, we would not have been so lucky foundation for us all Regional Reserve. to have walked on this beautiful land and However, this was not the first claim [be] recognised as our true traditional to walk on – thank lodged over the Innamincka area. people of today.” you all… we so wish Theresa recalled the story of how the Despite her tears Anita – a Yandruwandha Yandruwandha and Yawarrawarrka came woman – said the day was a happy one, you were here today together to lodge the joint claim. marking the culmination of years of work. but we know you “In 1996 Uncle Jack Guttie, Uncle Charlie “For me it’s a form of closure, for all these Moore and Leslie Harris Senior lodged years being here and recognition for my are here with us in a claim on behalf of the Yandruwandha cousins who took our uncles and went in spirit,” said Theresa. people. and got the claim registered,” said Anita. “It wasn’t until 1998, when a meeting “We are recognised in the history books The final words of the day went to Kyam was held in … with the as stone-chip people, but today I’d like to Maher, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Yawarrawarrka, Yandruwandha, and be recognised for where [we’re] standing Reconciliation where he touched on how the Dieri people with the Aboriginal – by Cullyamurra – where the water runs important this determination was. Land Legal Rights Movement, and after in and out and through our country. “A person’s place in the world, their discussions between our elders it was “For me, it’s representative and symbolic identity and where they’ve come from, is recognised that Yandruwandha and of how we are. Long through the ages; critically important to everyone, but for Yawarrawarrka people had a connection deep as it is and through our spirit, and – the oldest living to the land, therefore forming [the] our body and minds; and wide as our culture on the planet – it is especially Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka joint people are scattered all over this country important. Native Title Claim.” at time to time when we come here – so “Today is a step in the right direction… Years of tireless negotiation with the that’s how I would like to be remembered “Nothing has been given, it is a mere State Government, pastoralists, mining, here today.” recognition of what all of you know. gas and petroleum companies would For both women the celebration was a This always has been, and always will be follow before native title – and formal bittersweet one, with many that started Aboriginal country.” recognition of the Yandruwandha the journey 18 years ago passing as the Yawarrawarrka people’s connection years trickled by. to country as the Traditional Owners – “We have lost many of our old people The Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka would be determined by consent. Traditional Land Owners (Aboriginal along the way. Aunts, cousins, sisters, “My journey and my family’s journey is Corporation) administers land brothers – but we are representatives us on behalf of the Yandruwandha quite a significant one… people who made the journey here today Yawarrawarrka people of far north “It has been one for me made up of – those who could get here and others eastern South Australia. Visit www. knowledge, sacrifice, and love, and most who aren’t able to be here,” said Anita. nativetitle.org.au for more information of all respect. CONNECTED TO COUNTRY | 03 TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE Traditional Owners are playing a key role in helping to understand, preserve and protect the cultural heritage of the Diamantina catchment as part of the SA Arid Lands NRM Board’s Channel Country project. Here, Wangkangurru Yarluyandi Traditional Owners Jean Barr-Crombie and Valerie Naylon-Fuschtei share what it means to them to get out on country and for their traditional knowledge to be respected. BORN ON COUNTRY

Valerie Naylon-Fuschtei and Jean Barr- Crombie, Wangkangurru Yarluyandi Traditional Owners at Tepamimi Waterhole

Jean Barr-Crombie I was born on Alton Downs ON LANGUAGE Station in South Australia. We weren’t allowed to speak our language at school so we did lose a lot Looking back on my but my mum and dad spoke it at home. special day makes me feel We’re still not very good at having a big conversation in language but we do very much connected to understand it and we talk it whenever we can. country. As I’ve got older I guess I was luckier than most: my family I’m more into looking after had it at home and we sort of picked up on it from there. Mum was right into country and culture which stuff about native title and teaching her has been passed down children the dreamtime stories – but when you’re younger you don’t take any through generations. I live notice. Now I’ve taken a lot of interest in it. My sister Joyce and I pass on our story on country in through canvas, our traditional art and and I am one of many books so that the kids will understand it. Hopefully we will do more in the future. Wankgangurru-Yarluyandi They can also use this to teach language to kids in schools. women.

We’re a big family. Twelve born to mum and dad: Frank and Linda Crombie. I’m the ninth child in the family.

04 TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Left: George Reid is happy with his catch at Yammakira Waterhole Below: ‘Scar Tree’ at Yammakira Waterhole

SHARING ON WORKING WITH ON WORKING WITH KNOWLEDGE PASTORALISTS THE BOARD OF I love going back on country. I share my Respect goes both ways with pastoralists, DIRECTORS knowledge with the younger generation I respect what they do and I have known You know if I feel that something of my family. them all my life. My family worked on should be done properly. I tell them I think it’s about time we started sharing stations around Birdsville for many years to go through the Board people. I’m a our stories so people can understand us and we know the country really well and member of the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi a bit better and where we come from. If we’re looking forward to going back there Aboriginal Corporation and we talk, so we’re not going to share then we’re going to see the places we worked and the put it through the whole lot of us. to lose it. cultural sites. I do my cultural talk and explain my family If clearance needs to be done on country I ON THE FUTURE… connection to country and talk about my am the contact person for the pastoralists For me I think being more responsible, artwork that explains these stories that and I take things to the Board of Directors caring and sharing, and looking after connect us. of the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi country is important and that everyone Aboriginal Corporation and we help Sharing our stories is a way of keeping our looks after our cultural sites. organise someone to do the clearance. culture alive. We need to encourage our young people It’s about respecting both ways – I tell my stories – the dreamtime to learn about country, and maybe it’s about sharing knowledge and connection and about my grandparents working alongside the current park acknowledging each other and working and my Mum and Dad working on rangers in Queensland here could be a on looking after country together. stations around Birdsville. good thing to do in the future. We have a great relationship and we I talk about my grandfathers – they were We haven’t done anything for a very long hope this continues. Sharing stories with healers – we call them MinpaRu, the time, other than going out with Henry the pastoralists is very important to us clever men, like a doctor, they had their [Mancini, Diamantina Channel Country so that there is an understanding of our own way of healing in the past that’s project manager] where we were able to connection to country – there’s always an different to how we live today – today we show the younger generation what’s out open invitation for that to happen. We are have the flying doctor! there. always willing to talk and share and look If we get a younger person who is a That’s what I talk about with the artwork. to the future. How they lived back in those days and Traditional Owner who has got the love how we live today; it represents the past for country, the knowledge, the learning and the present. It’s important to respect then I reckon that would be pretty good. country. If we can teach the younger generation what it’s like to get out on country and After I do my cultural talk there is a lot show them where the places are, then the more respect and understanding. A battle’s nearly won. lot of people tell me that it’s great to learn about my culture and this really encourages me to keep doing my talk.

CONNECTED TO COUNTRY | 05 TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE UP AND DOWN TO THE DESERT WHENEVER WE CAN…

Left to right: Videographer Rob Nugent records Jean Barr-Crombie, Henry Mancini, Valerie Fuschtei Jnr., Eddie Fuschtei, Terry Crombie, Jimmy Crombie, Don Rowlands and noted linguist as they share their stories of the country they are meeting on

Valerie Naylon-Fuschtei Born in Marree, 1949

Yeah, you don’t know [My people] come from right across Some of them were too frightened to the desert. The [main] families of [the] come out. how happy we all get Wangkangurru…are the Macleans, the That’s where they met husbands from the when we get back there. Lumpkins, the Naylons…the Reeses, and other side then. Lower Southern Arrernte, the Macumba. Arabana, Dieri. All we want to do is go They’re the main ones for the desert and So we all still acknowledge each other the Naylons…represent approximately for walks. It’s amazing from both sides of the desert. All our two thirds of the Wangkangurru group children are connected. They all know us how all the old stuff’s left and trace their ancestry through two and we all know them no matter where brothers who married two sisters all of we live. behind… You know the whom were Wangkangurru. things we’ve seen so far. The [old people] all moved out of the desert in the 1930s because the big There’s plenty more. We drought come there. That’s when they decided. Some stayed in Birdsville, some just have to take the time went to Oodnadatta, Alice Springs, to go and find it. Western Australia, . Some went to Marree and stayed there. Some went to Anna Creek.

06 TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Left: Traditional Owners along with language, history and ecology experts gather at Koonchera Waterhole, an important cultural heritage site, discussing traditional use of implements such as grinding stones Above: Tepamimi Waterhole on Clifton Hills Station

ON LANGUAGE… ON COUNTRY… ON THE FUTURE… When I grew up they took to the mission We’ve been going back there ever since Well I hope those young ones listen and me and my sisters. We learned everybody we had the Central Land Council hearing. learn in the future. I know some of the else’s language: Yankunytjatjara, Up and down to the desert whenever ones in Birdsville are trying to get rangers . we can. Sometimes we’d go to the jobs up there. [When I pass on] I just want [Luise Hercus’ recordings of language] Birdsville Races and see the family if we to know that the children are interested were the best thing she could have ever can…and they…pop in and say hello if and look after the place. done because now some of these young they’re travelling through to Adelaide or ones they talk two languages. We’ve got wherever. AND A FEW no old people to carry it on more or less, We used to go up to the WORDS FROM THE only a few old people to carry it on. and camp there for weeks on ends GRANDKIDS… looking at all the sites and showing where [I didn’t hear my language until] after I left Val Jr: Yeah, it’s good to find out the they got their water from out of the the Umeewarra mission, Port Augusta: history and things like that. I think it desert and where the old people died, we seventeen, eighteen. And I go back and means something special just finding out see a lot of their skulls, skeletal remains… met all my old people. Went up to Alice everything, like Nanna, she’s always told tours would come into the desert, jump Springs, Birdsville, Oodnadatta and met all us about it so going out there and seeing on any track and go. Some of our stuff that mob. it for ourselves is a big deal. There’s lots to was stolen. And we’d go back the next Travelled around catching the Ghan take in sometimes. year and everything was gone. train… there were no busses up to Eddie: It really does mean a lot being Us elders like to be there to show, to tell Birdsville. Just when they came down we back there and finding out where all of them, teach them where this and that and met them. We could tell by their faces. nanna’s family came from. I’ve never seen the stories about the area. We see Jimmy We all had the same features. country like that before. I’m used to seeing and Don – we usually like to be there to all these big buildings. Big eye opener. show them and point out a few things on the ground or in the sky or wherever it is. I don’t know how to explain it. It was really nice. I’ve never really got to connect The concerns and aspirations of the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi with my nanna on that kind of level people, many of them reflected here in Jean and Valerie’s before so it was different too. Yeah, it just felt really comfortable out there too. Felt words, are being incorporated into the Diamantina-Channel like home I guess. Country project in multiple ways – with visits to country, casual employment through the project, recording of knowledge and cultural sites, and sharing knowledge with pastoralists. The Wangkangurru Importantly planning and updates are being made in conjunction Yarluyandi Aboriginal Corporation administers with the directors of the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi Aboriginal land on behalf of Corporation. For further information on how traditional knowledge the Wangkangurru/ is being respected through this project, check out back editions of Yarluyandi People. Visit Connected to Country www.nativetitle.org.au or contact Henry Mancini 8648 5300. for more information.

CONNECTED TO COUNTRY | 07 IKARA-FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK WITH ONE LITTLE WORD A WHOLE LOT CAN CHANGE…

Ikara-Flinders Ranges

The Flinders Ranges National Park was officially co-named Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park in February, recognising the Adnyamathanha people’s long standing connection to their country. As part of the co-naming ceremony, the oldest living Kuyani Adnyamathanha man – Uncle Mark McKenzie – shared the importance of ‘Ikara’ as a meeting place where

Above: Uncle Mark McKenzie giving his speech at the ceremony decisions got made, and the meaning of Below: The Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park Co-management Board; Traditional Owners; Minister Ian Hunter and staff from the other Adnyamathanha words that were Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources were in attendance at the co-naming ceremony common in the Flinders Ranges area.

08 IKARA-FLINDERS RANGES NATIONAL PARK

hile the word Ikara may be new “Now there are many Aboriginal names Left: Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands to some, for the Adnyamathanha on the stations and in the country, in Association Chair, Michael Anderson, W welcomes the delegation to country people it has always been connected to Aboriginal language, but it doesn’t tell Wilpena Pound, explained Uncle Mark. you in English what they mean. Above: Minister for Environment Ian Hunter chats with Michael Anderson; “…Wilpena Pound has many names; it’s in “Marnbi Awi is bronze wing pigeon Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands the very strong ceremony area… waterhole…up north [there is] a station Association Chief Executive Officer, Vince Coulthard; and Adnyamathanha elders “Ngarri Mudlanha [means] your mind gets called…Murnpeowie so that should funny when it [reaches a] height – [that] have been underneath, what it means; is Saint Mary’s Peak; Wartuwarru Yurru is Mudluwartanha is [at the] end of the rock… Rock area; Ikara, [is] where Flinders Ranges, and there is a station… they sit down...and Ikara is also the group called Moolawatana…very close [to the] “Today is a significant of people…women, children and men.” end of the Flinders Ranges. milestone in the Uncle Mark shared how the two sides of “Wira alpa, Wirrealpa station, that’s… the Adnyamathanha people – Matheri and gum leaves; that should be written Park’s history, it’s Arraru – passed laws at Ikara. underneath. welcome back to the “Muta is a…strong [and] unchangeable “Awraprinha means meditating of the law…This side of the house, they’ve got mind and is far away; Oraparinna: that’s future, where the old to agree, we’ve got to agree with them coming close now…and maybe Parks name is now being before it is passed. and Wildlife can…put [its] name, what it means.” “…Arraru get together [and] talk; Matheri brought back to the get together [and] talk…and they come Minister for Environment Ian Hunter forefront – which together and make decisions…and then it also spoke to the gathering about the only takes…Matheri and Arraru [to] agree importance of words. makes us very proud, and it’s carried. “I think there is an awful lot of power in proud, people today.” “So when it came to Ikara they sat words. down…and [the big mob of people] sat in “What we’re doing is actually saying, the pound waiting for…[the] big morning we recognise that for a long, long, time About 50 people representing star to come up… and it was coming up before it was called Flinders [Ranges] the Ikara-Flinders Ranges Co- right at the Arkaroo Rock. National Park, there was a long history of management Board and members “But one day, and one time, it wasn’t a people here in this area, who belong to of the Adnyamathanha community star: it was [the] serpent’s eye – they got this area and belong to the park. attended the special co-naming ceremony in February. caught out. “We’re acknowledging long, long, before “Only four got out of the pound, one first even the notion of National Parks was initiated man, [a] second initiated man, thought of…the Adnyamathanha people and… [then the] Kingfisher flew out. were here and have been here for a very The Ikara-Flinders Ranges long time. “…[The] first…man is this side [of] National Park is managed by Wirrealpa…and the…second [is] this side “…We acknowledge that connection a partnership between the [of] Mount Chambers. by renaming the park... to you [the Adnyamathanha Traditional Adnyamathanha people] Wilpena Pound Lands Association and the State “So Wilpena Pound itself is like…a has always been known as Ikara… Government; the Ikara-Flinders Stonehenge; it’s like a capital to all our this change in name will be a constant Ranges Co-management Board histories in South Australia.” reminder to all of us – all the visitors oversees the management of the Uncle Mark also talked about the from around the world – that this is park through the combination importance of handing down language, Adnyamathanha country.” of traditional knowledge and explained the meaning of a number of contemporary science. Michael Anderson, chair of station names and called for the meaning Adnyamathanha Traditional Lands of those names to be acknowledged. LANGUAGE DISCLAIMER While every Association, also spoke of the importance effort has been made to ensure the “There’s no teachers in Aboriginal of the name change and what it meant to Adnyamathanha words used in this language…and there’s no stories in the community. article are spelt accurately, however Aboriginal language – they are missing. some discrepancies may still be present.

CONNECTED TO COUNTRY | 09 LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION

Hookina Spring (Punkga Pudanha)

BRIDGINGREGINA THE GAP

It was a big night for Regina McKenzie in September when she took home the 2015 Premier’s NRM Award for Aboriginal Leadership at the State Landcare Conference in Waikerie. Connected to Country caught up with Regina to discuss the win and her work in the Flinders Ranges. he Premier’s NRM Award for The Hookina Creek system – and in This work has led to TAboriginal Leadership recognises one particular the waterhole known as male and one female whose involvement Hookina Spring (Punkga Pudanha) – the regeneration of on a natural resources project shows provides a crucial water supply in the arid exceptional leadership. areas and also facilitates access to other native vegetation at Regina, a Kuyani Adnyamathanha important resources such as medicinal key waterholes, such woman, was nominated for the plants, tools and food. as River Red Gums, community leadership she has shown, “Water in that area is the most…precious most notably through her role in commodity…it’s the key to everything.” and the preservation protecting Hookina Creek in the Yappala The site, which had long been a stock Indigenous Protected Area. of ecosystems that watering point, had slowly been “It’s something that I never expected, degrading over the years. Regina’s work provide vital refuge even when I was nominated I didn’t highlighted soil erosion, severe loss of for local plants and expect to win it,” said Regina. vegetation and destruction of priceless “…We concentrated on the Hookina cultural heritage at the site and in the animals – especially waterhole area…because of the erosion… wider area. during times of “That’s why we are trying to get it fenced Working with landholders, Natural off – it was to try and bring…the waterhole Resources SA Arid Lands staff and many drought – something [back] to its pristine self so that the natural other experts Regina helped map the that brings joy to flora can come back and also the animals.” area, plan recovery activities – such as Water in the arid landscape has always fencing and developing alternative stock Regina. played a significant role to the Kuyani watering points – and was heavily involved Adnyamathanha people. in developing a strategy for Hookina Creek’s future.

10 LEADERSHIP RECOGNITION

Regina is proud of her partnerships with Left:Regina McKenzie accepts her award government, archaeologists, aquatic for Aboriginal Leadership ecologists, anthropologists, hydrologists Above: Two Black-tail Native-hens and many other experts and she hopes enjoying the picturesque Hookina Spring “We found out that we’ve got Fat-tailed this will lead more Aboriginal people into Dunnarts on it, and we’ve also got a these professions. Regina said she is still in shock about the possible – we’ve just got to get a photo award but hopes it leads to more people of him – we’ve got a possible Numbat getting back to work on country and crawling in the area and Pygmy Possums. “That’s what I’m keeping the country in balance. “…the Fat-tailed Dunnart – he’s…on the really proud of – it’s “I really appreciate the nomination…and endangered species list and he’s actually getting the award because it is actually coming back in the area, and if that is a actually bridging shining light in on our little area of Numbat we get on the camera…that’s a the gap – they talk Hookina. big thing for us in our area.” “… I hope it will make more Aboriginal In the wider region of the Yappala about closing the gap people sit up and think we’ve got to… Indigenous Protected Area, Regina has start working on our country and…in the been busy identifying and recording all on the Aboriginal environment… and doing stuff in our facets of cultural knowledge. communities…but cultural way. This work will help ensure that the “…I’m not against pastoralists and that traditions, practices and knowledge I believe working sort of farming, but if you do it in a systems of the Kuyani Adnyamathanha and preserving balance, keep everything going – I think it will work good. people will continue into the future. what culture we One of Regina’s biggest achievements “We’ve got to promote Hookina more so – recording and registering the Hookina have within our that the rest of South Australia can see what an icon [and] jewel we’ve got; it’s Creek storyline which runs from Hawker the jewel in South Australia’s crown…and to – came after many years environment…is the she’s so beautiful.” of voluntary work documenting Kuyani best way to bridge Adnyamathanha history. The SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board congratulates Regina The methodology used to register the the gap.” on her award. storyline – which is the first of its kind – was developed with the help of the “…When I first started a lot of people said Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation to me ‘ah you’re not going to get much out of those fellas’ [government] but… Yappala Indigenous Protected Department. Area is managed on behalf of it’s the way you work with people…it’s “That involved working with…the the Kuyani Adnyamathanha building trust…between communities and heritage department…and working with people by the Viliwarinha Yura state departments. the elders in mapping the storylines as in Aboriginal Corporation (VYAC). the cultural mapping sense on land.” “I hope…that we will get some young people going into further education and… “…the storyline [is] not just about becoming archaeologists, ecologists, To find out more about some of the our heritage…our culture takes in the hydrologists and other -ologists.” work that has been done at Hookina environment, the trees, and the water, Creek check out the August 2015 and the animals …it’s something…that is edition of Connected to Country. really close to my heart.”

CONNECTED TO COUNTRY | 11 HARD YAKKA

HARD YAKKA Left: Works Supervisor, Nat Staniford, saws Big thanks to Desmond Crombie who put in some through a Date Palm Above, left to right: Natural Resources SA hard yakka during the annual Date Palm removal at Arid Lands staff Sam Gitahi, Chris Parsons and Nat Staniford with Wangkangurru Dalhousie Springs in November. Yarluyandi Traditional Owner Desmond Crombie A Wangkangurru Yarluyandi man, Individual plants consume as much as Below: Desmond weeds out Date Palms Desmond joined park rangers and 180,000 litres of water from the Dalhousie amongst the Phragmites maintenance staff at Springs every year and their removal as part of the cultural works program, returns important water back to the lopping branches and spraying plants that environment. had sprung back after previous treatment. Accessing Date Palms can be very Some of the larger trees took up to two challenging work particularly in the hours to remove and the team had to pull soaring summer heat and weeding them out the chainsaw. out amongst the dense reed thickets Date Palm management has been an (Phragmites) found around the springs. essential activity in Witjira National Park These annual works were supported by since 2004. the Witjira Co-management Board and the SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board with Australian and State Government funding.

LIKE TO SHARE A STORY? TO JOIN OUR ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION DISCUSS A NEW NRM MAILING LIST… Connected to Country reports on PROJECT? Contact Natural Resources SA Arid Aboriginal NRM activities in the SA Natural Resources SA Arid Lands Lands (08) 8648 5300 or email Arid Lands region. It is prepared and Community Engagement Team [email protected] edited by Natural Resources SA Arid would love to talk to you about Lands, a division of the Department your Connected to Country story or of Environment, Water and Natural NRM project ideas. Resources. It is supported by the SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Contact us on 8648 5300, email Board with funding from the Australian [email protected] or Government. We welcome contributions drop into the Railway Station at from individuals, community and other Port Augusta. agencies. 12