COASTAL CUSTODIANS Volume 2, Issue 9 August /September 2005

From the Editor: It took some research and pulling together of information to get this interview to this point, I think you will find an inspiring story of a remarkable woman who has for many years pushed for acknowledgment and improved opportunities for Aboriginal people. She is truly one of the unsung heroes, a quiet achiever who has strength in her pride. It is a privilege to introduce you to Mary Duroux.

I was born on the 9th of August 1934 at Bega hospital and named Mary Kathleen Hookwin. Mary Duroux My mother’s traditional name was “Cathule” but she went under the name of Cath Hookwin. Tommy the Stockman also known as “Marimbine” he was born in 1822 at Bega/Bemboka and is said to have been killed while boxing a kangaroo at Kameruka cattleyards in 1875. Harry’s’ mother was “Broulidgee, she was born in Narooma. Doolin and Broulidgee were married in 1840.

Mariah’s mother was Sarah Haddigaddi who was born at Wandella in 1859 and died in Batemans Bay in 1931. Sarahs’ father, Paddy Haddigaddi was born at Wandella and was killed by two strangers with a tomahawk while he slept in April of 1875 near Cobargo. Paddy’s’ totem was the mopoke. Sarahs’ mother was Lucy Goldie Turner born 1828 at Dry River; she died on the 7th of October 1908 at Wallaga Lake. Lucy had thirteen children at the time of her death, three sons and three daughters pre-deceased her, she died of influenza with Left to right with Grandmother Mariah & Grand daughter pneumonia and cardiac failure. Paddy and Lucy Mary are daughter-in-law Cecilia who was married to Joe, daughters Kath & Emma with Grand daughter Leah, were married at Dora’s Flat. They were all Yuin daughter of Nellie. people.

Mums mother was Mariah Picalla, her traditional Mums father was William H.A. Hookwin, a name was “Dangy”, she was born in 1874 at Bega Bunjalung man from Grafton. He was born in and died in 1937 at Tarraganda. She was the 1864 and died in 1900. He married Mariah at daughter of Harry Picalla who was born in 1852 at Jamberoo on the 13th of September 1899. Kameruka and died on the 16th August 1911 at Continued page 13 Bega River. Harry’s’ father was “Doolin” alias “

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Letters to the Editor Inside this Issue page

Introducing Mary Duroux 1, Hi Trisha 13,14 Congratulations on the 5th Anniversary of &15 Coastal Custodians. Every edition I learn Inside this Issue & 2 something, including how much I have yet to Letters to the Editor learn!! I found your interview with Dave Tout Office of the Registrar 3 particularly poignant. What amazing inner strength he must have. Thank you and Dave for Biamanga and Gulaga Handback - 4, 5, 6 sharing it with us. Independent Facilitator’s View & 7 Best wishes for the continuing future of Coastal Custodians and thanks again for your personal 8 Regional Managers Report effort in putting it together.

Colin Markham 9 & Regards 10 Southern Aboriginal Heritage Unit 10 & Shirley Goodwin PO (Part time) Northern 11 OSCS 4/07/2005 Update ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ ☺ 11 Sharing Yuin Stories & TAFE Presentation Dear Trisha, Thank you for your continued sending of the Dreamtime Stories of the South East 12 issues of "Coastal Custodians". They are most Coast Find-a-word appreciated. The information in the latest issue pertaining to Burnum Burnum Sanctuary Opening 15 the work you & Dannielle Towers have been doing in the local schools, & the story of Dave Djuwin Women’s Lore Council Camp 16 Tout, particularly captivated my imagination. If more people were actively involved amongst NAIDOC Week 2005 17, 18 our younger generation, spreading their & 19 knowledge & appreciation of our natural Dreamtime Stories of the South East 19 environment & its teachings, I am sure that many Coast Find-a-word answers of the social evils confronting our society would disappear. You, Dannielle & the teachers & Calendar of Events & Subscription form 20 students of the schools should all be congratulated on your efforts. Likewise, the work instigated by Dave Tout, John Mumbler & Mervyn Penrith in their DISCLAIMER cultural & cross-cultural awareness camps must be enormously beneficial. It can only be hoped Information provided in the Coastal Custodian is that their efforts will expand in the future, & not necessarily the views of the Department of bring lasting & greater benefits, as I feel sure Environment & Conservation (NPWS). NPWS they will. takes no responsibility for errors or omissions of Also it was good to hear some news of Lynne fact based on information provided by third Thomas & the progress regarding the finding & parties. protection of Koalas in our area. My congratulations to all & best wishes to you.

With Great Respect & Great Love, Eric Seymour. 30/07/2005

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At the beginning of 2005 the report, Biamanga and Gulaga: Aboriginal cultural association with Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks was launched. The report was published by the Office of the Registrar and written by well known researchers Nicolas Peterson, Brian Egloff and Sue Wesson.

Copies of the original report were provided to Aboriginal people along the south coast to gain their comments and feedback. The new publication incorporates feedback received over the last three years. The Registrar considers the report a work in progress. It is anticipated that the next edition will contain comments and new material that has emerged regarding specifics of genealogies. Research conducted during the project adhered to Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) protocol. Many resources contained within the AIATSIS library are controlled by their guidelines.

The Registrar was very aware that this report would have an impact on Aboriginal people on the south coast. This is why over 180 copies of the original report were distributed to people from Nowra to Eden, and why we waited over 2 years before publishing the report, to allow people to give the Registrar and the authors feedback.

It is important to remember that this report is not a Native Title report. It was produced as part of the process that leads to the joint management of national parks in New South Wales. The law that provides for joint management of national parks is the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW) and the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983 (NSW).

Free copies of the report are available by contacting the Office of the Registrar. A PDF of the report is available on the DAA website: www.daa.nsw.gov.au.

With the anticipation of the lease negotiation being completed, the Registrar has been working towards completing the back-log of applications for entry into the Register for Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks. These applications are close to completion and those people who have applied but haven’t yet received confirmation from the Registrar’s Office will do so shortly. It is anticipated that there will be a meeting late in November 2005 to discuss the Register of Aboriginal Owners.

For more information please contact Adam Black, Senior Project Officer, Land Claims and Aboriginal Owner Register, at the Department of Aboriginal Affairs on 02 9219 0748.

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McLean – a barrister from Melbourne. In Biamanga and Gulaga August 2005 the Bega, Merrimans and Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Councils appointed Peter Handback - Independent Kilduff, a barrister from Melbourne, as their Facilitator’s view independent legal advisor. Peter assisted the LALCs in the two August 2005 meetings.

The Negotiating Panel and LALCs meet without BACKGROUND NPWS being present so that they can progress As the independent their requirements for the draft lease, which is facilitator for the regularly presented, to the NPWS for their Biamanga and Gulaga response. Aboriginal ownership and leaseback negotiations, I ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE MAY 2005 have been asked by the Since May 2005 the draft lease has really Negotiating Parties to let advanced with nearly all clauses broadly agreed people know how the between the Parties. Over these last four negotiations are going. The meeting the two big issues that remained to be Negotiating Parties are made up of the negotiated – the rental monies to be paid to the Aboriginal Negotiating Panel representing two Boards of Management to manage the two Aboriginal custodians (Owners), Bega, Parks and secondly the employment and training Merrimans and Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land provisions have been broadly agreed. This is a Councils (LALCs), with whom the special tremendous achievement. freehold title to the Parks will be vested on behalf of Aboriginal custodians, and National HOW WE START EACH OF OUR Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). MEETINGS We start our meetings by paying our respects to I’m doing this regularly by reporting on the each other, to the land, to the Aboriginal Parties’ progress and achievements through custodians of Biamanga and Gulaga and to the Trisha Ellis’s wonderful quarterly journal – tireless efforts of Aboriginal people who have Coastal Custodians. worked so hard to get us to this point where we are sitting down together to negotiate the These Coastal Custodians articles would not be handback of Biamanga and Gulaga to their possible without the great record keeping that rightful owners. Moruya-based anthropologist Susan Donaldson is providing for the negotiation process. Susan NEGOTIATING PANEL AND LALC has been engaged by NPWS to keep an impartial MEETING (MORNING) ON 14TH JUNE and independent record of our negotiation 2005 AT BERMAGUI journey. She is doing a terrific job. The morning session of the Bermagui meeting was just between the Negotiating Panel and UPDATE SINCE THE LAST COASTAL LALC’s. In the morning discussions centred CUSTODIANS IN MAY 2005 around: Since the last Coastal Custodians in May 2005 • The draft valuation report prepared by the (Volume 2, Issue 8), we have had four meetings Negotiating Panel and LALC’s valuer – Umbarra in June, Bermagui in July and Chris Torr which included a Narooma in August 2005. A special meeting teleconference with Chris Torr and was also held in Narooma in late August 2005 to Negotiating Panel lawyer Adam McLean discuss the amount of rent to be paid by NPWS to clarify a range of valuation issues. to the proposed Boards of Management to assist • It was agreed by the Negotiating Panel in management of the two National Parks. These that the draft (May 2005) valuation report meetings have included opportunities for just the could be exchanged with NPWS Negotiating Panel and LALC representatives to talk with their independent legal advisor Adam

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valuation report subject to a number of the future Boards of Management. Mr important conditions. Debus acknowledged the fairness in having Negotiating Panel members on the MEETING WITH NSW MINISTER FOR Board of Management and that he and the THE ENVIRONMENT BOB DEBUS AND Minister for Aboriginal Affairs would ALL PARTIES MEETING (AFTERNOON) welcome the nominations from both the ON 14TH JUNE 2005 AT BERMAGUI Aboriginal Owners and from the Negotiating Panel for appointment to the In the afternoon NPWS two Boards; and joined the meeting and the • After the Minister had left the two NSW Minister for the valuations reports were exchanged Environment Bob Debus between the Parties. This formally was welcomed to the all commenced the negotiation of the rent. Parties’ meeting.

• The Minister said he was delighted to be invited to the meeting. He stressed the NSW Government’s strong support for the handback of the two mountains to their rightful custodians; • Mr Debus was advised that the Parties had agreed to two Boards of Management (one for Gulaga National Park and one for Biamanga National Park) but that the spiritual and cultural connection of the two mountains would be ensured by a Mike Williams, Lional Mongta, Mary Duroux (Negotiation single plan of management to encompass Panel) & Tim Shepherd (NPWS) exchange between the both Parks and joint sittings of the two Parties valuations reports.

Boards and possible overlap of the nd representation on the two Boards; ALL PARTIES’ MEETING ON 22 JULY 2005 AT BERMAGUI • Mr Debus thought it was a terrific idea Major discussions of this Bermagui meeting that the Negotiating Parties visit one of centred around: the other jointly managed NPWS reserves • such as Mutawintji (near Broken Hill), Providing preliminary comment on a Mt Grenfell (near Cobar) or Arakwal development proposal by WIN Television (near Byron Bay) to see how they were for the top of Mt Mumbulla in Biamanga being managed. Mr Debus undertook to National Park. The proposal ensure funds were made available so that incorporates upgrading the power supply this could occur; to the WIN TV tower and replacing some power poles. The Negotiating Panel • Mr Debus indicated that he would ensure requested that it be formally consulted if a broad spread of people would be any future consent to destroy Aboriginal represented on the Gulaga National Park cultural heritage applications were Board of Management and Biamanga received by NPWS (NSW Department of National Park Board of Management. It Environment and Conservation). Given was explained to the Minister that it was that the Bega LALC representative was the Negotiating Panel’s strong view that not present, the meeting decided to defer Mr Debus consider the fact that the final comment on the proposal and asked Negotiating Panel had had two years for all the documentation to be forwarded negotiating experience in relation to the to the Negotiating Panel’s co-ordinator draft lease and had built up a strong Karen Lee; capacity to undertake tasks required of

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• The indicative amounts of money that • Welcoming Peter would be available for the management Kilduff of the two National Parks including the (independent normal operating costs of managing the lawyer for the two parks for which NPWS will continue LALCs); to provide once the parks are handed back to Aboriginal Owners and then • Ensuring all the Parties were aware that leased back to the NPWS. the LALCs now had independent legal • The urgent need for legal advice for the advice and that all LALCs were Bega, Merrimans and Wagonga Local adequately and fairly represented; Aboriginal Land Councils given that the • Outcomes of the rental discussions request to NSWALC had not progressed. between Adam McLean and NPWS NPWS offered to fund an independent including the updated (1 July 2005) legal advisor for the three LALCs. Mr NPWS valuation and in principle Peter Kilduff, a barrister from approval for rent negotiations to continue Melbourne, was subsequently engaged by on the basis of cash rent, in kind the LALCs to provide legal advice to the contributions and Board “start up” costs LALCs and their representatives in the all to be made by NPWS; negotiation process; • The Negotiating Panel and LALCs made • The outcomes of the discussions held a firm decision on their rental negotiation between the Negotiating Panel and strategy; LALC’s valuer and the NPWS valuer on • st Detailed background information from 21 July 2005. The Parties noted that the NPWS on rent issues for the two parks; method of valuation had been broadly • Opportunities for the Board and NPWS consistent but that other differences to form partnerships with CDEP to including the valuation itself remained. provide training opportunities. Richard The Parties also agreed on which Barcham CDEP Co-ordinator for Bega “negotiating chips” would be the most kindly led this presentation and important in order to reach agreement on discussion; an annual rental figure for the two parks. • The Parties noting that Steve Wright Adam McLean was given approval to (Registrar NSW Aboriginal Land Rights discuss further the rental issues with Act) had indicated that those Aboriginal NPWS and report back to the Negotiating people who have requested the entry of Panel and LALCs; their name in the Register of Aboriginal • NPWS offered to update its 2002 Owners for Biamanga and Gulaga valuation so that it could be more National Parks would need to be finalised usefully compared with the Negotiating before the lease was signed so that they Panel and LALC’s updated (June 2005) could be nominated for appointment to valuation report; and either of the Boards of management. The • Comments on a draft preamble to the Parties noted that Steve Wright and had lease. made an undertaking to have all those

th th Aboriginal people who have requested ALL PARTIES’ MEETING ON 18 -19 the entry of their name in the Register of AUGUST 2005 AT NAROOMA Aboriginal Owners for Biamanga and Major discussions at this Narooma meeting Gulaga National Parks would be finalised centred around: by the end of September 2005. • Providing formal advice to NPWS on the development proposal by WIN Television At lunchtime on 18th August 2005, the for the top of Mt Mumbulla in Biamanga Negotiating Parties welcomed Col Markham the National Park; former NSW Member for Keira in Wollongong and former Parliamentary Secretary of

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Aboriginal Affairs in the Carr Labor Government WHAT’S NEXT? and his wife Melissa along with their close friend Over the coming months, the legal Yang Zhou. Col was instrumental in the representatives will turn the rental agreements formulation and passing of the hand back into specific clauses to be included in the draft legislation, under which the current negotiations lease. Each of the parties will then go through were taking place. the draft lease clause by clause to ensure everything has been covered and everything that After acknowledging the Aboriginal Owners and has been agreed has been incorporated. A plain the Ancestors of the land, Col outlined the English version will then be prepared clause by historical background of the hand back clause, a preamble negotiated and then a final legislation highlighting that he presented the bill legal check will be made by each of the lawyers to NSW Parliament in 1994 as a private representing Negotiating Panel, Bega, Merrimans members bill. Col highlighted that in his view, and Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Councils the broader community, Aboriginal and non– and NPWS. The Parties will then work on the Aboriginal, will benefit from the hand back of final signing, handback and leaseback Gulaga and Biamanga National Parks. Lionel arrangements and a special celebration event to Mongta (Negotiating Panel member representing mark this outstanding achievement – handback the Bodalla community) thanked Col on behalf of Gulaga and Biamanga National Parks to their of all the parties for all he had done for the hand rightful Aboriginal Custodians (Owners). back process.

NEGOTIATING PANEL AND LALC A series of consultations, meetings and briefings MEETING ON 29TH AUGUST 2005 AT are also being arranged by the Parties with NAROOMA people who are interested in the handback Based on the firm negotiation strategy agreed by process and its implications and in particular the Negotiating Panel and LALCs at their with other Aboriginal Owners and Yuin meeting on 19th August, Adam McLean and Aboriginal community. Peter Kilduff met with NPWS in Sydney on 26th August 2005. The Negotiating Panel and Our next meeting is planned to be at LALCs’ meeting on 29th August provided the Narooma in late October 2005. opportunity for the Negotiating Panel and LALCs to be advised of the outcomes of these There are still final consultation discussions with NPWS. arrangements to be made and significant legal matters to be checked and agreed by the Parties. However, I am delighted that the facilitation process is proving to be so successful. With the future Boards of Management of the two parks to be chaired by an Aboriginal Owner and with the Boards having a majority of Aboriginal Owners, the good will generated between the Parties will Noelene Leha (Merrimans LALC) Glenis Kelly (Wagonga provide a terrific springboard for the future LALC) David Dixon (Bega LALC) & Peter Kilduff successful management of the two parks. (Independent Lawyer) Michael Williams Independent Facilitator. In an historic moment, the Parties agreed to a rent figure, the equal sharing of the rent between the two parks, a start up fund for the two Boards Michael Williams & Associates Pty Ltd of Management, the amount of the normal Tel: (02) 9460 3164 operating costs to be maintained by the NPWS Fax: (02) 9925 0493 and the specific in kind contributions to the Mob: 0408 104 030 Boards of Management to be made by the E-mail: [email protected] NPWS.

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At Severs Beach on the south side of the Pambula River the Merimbula area staff, Graham Moore Regional Managers and Eden Lands Council staff have completed temporary protection works on a large and Report important midden.

The work involved laying a special material (called The big news is the great progress on the Gulaga geotextile) over the edge of the midden then Biamanga handback. At the last meeting the building a sandbag wall in front of the midden. Aboriginal negotiating panel and the Lands The pictures show Ranger Craig Dickman in front Councils agreed to a figure for rent for the two of the midden before works started and Bruce parks. This is the money that the Government Toomey doing the hard work in placing sandbags. provides which is used for the management of the parks. The Board for the two parks may decide to The works were nearly completed before the big use this money to employ Aboriginal people or to storms in July and the bits we’d finished held up set up traineeships. really well. We’ll be doing the permanent works later this year. It also looks like that we now agree on just about everything in the lease. There’s a bit work to be done but I can’t see anything that should stop us from formally agreeing on the lease in the next couple of months. It will be a fabulous achievement for all the people who have been involved over a long time.

In other news we’re planning to do quite a lot of site protection work this year. Most of the work is down south – around the Pambula River, Boyds Tower and near Greencape.

Each year we do a burn on Montague Island as part of the project to get rid of Kikuyu grass and protect the habitat of penguins and other sea birds. Pictured: Bruce Toomey at Severs Beach doing This year the burn uncovered a midden, which is the hard work in placing sandbags. eroding at its edge closest to the sea. We’re looking for some expert advice from Talking of Bruce, he’s recently starred in a TV archaeologists and Aboriginal people who know show called ‘Surfing the Menu’ about two surfers the island to help us work out what we need to do who cruise around Australia going surfing and to protect the midden. cooking good food. Sounds OK to me! It should be on TV fairly soon.

That’s it for now – hopefully in the next edition I’ll be able to report that we’ve agreed on everything in the lease and that we’re planning the handback ceremony.

Tim Shepherd Regional Manager Far South Coast

Pictured: Ranger Craig Dickman at Severs Beach in front of the midden before works started

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COLIN & MELISSA MARKHAM Legislation, replacing the clause that would have 8 HELICIA AVENUE FIGTREE NSW 2525 payed a "Peppercorn rent" of $1 a year. PHONE NO 02 42 286170 MOBILE 0428 254 364 The LiberaI/National Government failed to bring the Legislation into the Parliament after Tim Moore resignation in 1992.

In 1994 I introduced the Legislation into the Parliament of NSW as a Private Members Bill. I gave notice of the Legislation and delivered my second reading speech on 15-9-1994. The LiberaI/National Coalition Government still refused to proceed with the legislation before they were defeated in the general election in May 1995.

The Bob Carr Labor Opposition went to the 1995

My wife Melissa and I excepted an invitation by election with my recommendation, that "The Aboriginal Elders to attend a meeting of the Aboriginal Ownership of National Parks" be part Negotiating Parties, on the hand back of our policy. negotiations for Gulaga and Biamanga National Parks, under the" Aboriginal Ownership of Bob Carr's Labor Party was elected to National Parks" Act. The meeting was held at Government in 1995 and in .November 1996 the Narooma on Thursday 18th of August 2005. Minister for the Environment, Pam Allan Elders of the Aboriginal Negotiating Panel introduced an expanded version of my 1994 warmly welcomed us to the meeting. Private Members Legislation into the Legislative Assembly of the NSW Parliament. The I have a continuing keen interest in the Legislation was passed and I was proud to have Aboriginal Ownership of National Parks and been asked to speak to the Legislation once again have kept up to date of the negotiations on as The Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal Gulaga and Biamanga National Parks through Affairs. the "Coastal Custodians" reports. Melissa and I have had the privilege of being My interest goes back to 1991 when I was the invited in September 1998 by the Traditional Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The Barkindji Owners to attend and speak at the hand then Minister for the Environment Tim Moore back of 3 areas of importance, Mutawintji first introduced legislation into the NSW National Park, Mutawintji Historic Site and Parliament and setting up a Legislation Coturaundee Reserve (Broken Hill). Premier Bob Committee to take submissions from Aboriginal Carr officially handed the deeds to the Elders, Aboriginal Community members and Traditional Owners. organisations and the general public and non Mt Grenfell Historic Site (Cobar) was handed indigenous organisations on their response to the back in July 2004, by the current Minister for the Legislation. Environment Bob Debus. Melissa and I were

I was elected to that committee as the opposition again privileged to be invited and speak by the Labor Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Traditional Owners and to be part of that The committee conducted 30 meetings in Sydney ceremony. and throughout NSW making 29 changes to the Legislation. One of the most important changes It is interesting to note two statements on was that a negotiated rent for the lease back of Aboriginal Ownership of National Parks. the National Parks, Nature Reserves and Historic Recommendation 315 of the Royal Sites be a significant clause in the amended (1) Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in

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Custody: aims to protect and preserve the rights and interests of Aboriginal people with cultural, historic and traditional association with national Southern Aboriginal Heritage parks, through the negotiation of lease-back Section Update arrangements which enables title of land on which national parks are situated to be transferred to Aboriginal owners, subject to the Hi everyone. This financial year is really lease of the area to the relevant State authority warming up and we are well under way with on payment of rent to the Aboriginal owners and many of our Aboriginal Heritage Projects. the encouragement of joint management between identified and acknowledged representatives of The Shoalhaven LGA Regional Aboriginal Aboriginal people and the relevant State agency. Heritage Study Stage 2 (oral history recording) will commence very soon. Rod Wellington at (2) Article 30 of the United Nations draft Nowra and Kristine Carriage at Ulladulla will be declaration on the rights of consulting with Aboriginal community people indigenous people states: Indigenous people from Batemans Bay to the Illawarra about have the rights to determine and develop Aboriginal sites and places that have particular priorities and strategies for the development or meaning and value to Aboriginal people. use of their Lands, Territories and other These may include: burial sites, ceremonial Resources, including the right to require that places, places which contain wild resources, States obtain their free and informed consent camping places, work location such as timber prior to the approval of any project affecting mills and picking. These places demonstrate a their Lands, Territories and other resources, special link between Aboriginal people and particularly in connection with the development, places of importance within the landscape. The utilisation or exploitation of mineral, water or places will be important in Shoalhaven local other resources. Pursuant to agreement with the government planning and development decision indigenous people concerned, just and fair making. compensation shall be provided for any such activity and measures taken to mitigate adverse Rod is also busy with undertaking Aboriginal environmental, economic, social, cultural or rock art protection works involving the removal spiritual impact. of graffiti from an important rock art site near Nowra. This is being carried out with the Both statement were used in the debate on the assistance of Dave Lambert from DEC, who is "Aboriginal Ownership of National Parks" the foremost expert in dealing with Rock Art Legislation in November 1996. The first by Management in NSW. Dave is based on the Minister Pam Allan and the Second by myself. Central Coast but gets involved in rock art issues across the state. Tim Moore continues to have a passion for the hand-back of National Parks to Traditional We are undertaking site protection works at Owners. Severs Beach at Ben Boyd National Park. The works involve the stabilisation of a 3,000-year- I am confident that the Negotiating Parties on the old midden site, which has been significantly hand back of Gulaga and Biamanga National impacted by high tides. Sand bags and the Parks will be successful and welcomed by fair- encouragement of vegetation is being used as the minded people of the South Coast. most appropriate method. The Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council is assisting with the Colin Markham protection works. Graham Moore is managing this project. Former Parliamentary Secretary for Aboriginal affairs NSW. The discovery of an Aboriginal burial near Young in the Central West has been a surprise and we are working closely with the Young Aboriginal Land Council and the Wiradjuri

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Elders Councils in order to undertake the re- desire to inform the community about Indigenous burial in a very sensitive way. Dean Freeman culture and share its beautiful aspects. While will be working with all relevant Aboriginal many things have changed for the better over her interests to ensure that the right thing is done by lifetime, she would like to see local Indigenous all, and to ensure that the current non-Aboriginal children enjoy more positive experiences in landowner is supported and well informed about education and in their daily lives. the approach.

Happy to hear from anyone if you have any issues or concerns about Aboriginal heritage matters. Please contact me on (02) 62989736.

Gary Currey Manager Southern Aboriginal Heritage Section Cultural Heritage Division

Sharing Yuin Stories Pictured: Cheryl & Tamsin demonstrating Aboriginal artefacts

Cheryl also told the story of ‘Bangu the Flying Local Indigenous artist and storyteller Cheryl Fox’ which is a locally available storybook that Davison from Eden and her daughter Tamsin, emphasises the importance of being proud of shared stories and Indigenous culture with early your identity. Workshop participants were childhood workers, from centres across the Bega absorbed by Cheryl’s stories and the Aboriginal Valley Shire. This was a second storytelling artefacts and tools she displayed. Participants workshop held in June this year, at the were encouraged to integrate Indigenous culture Merimbula RSL. into early childhood curriculums, on a regular Cheryl related her personal story of the basis. restrictions she experienced as a young child, on The workshop was the initiative of the Bega the mission at Wallaga Lake and acknowledged a Valley Child & Family Network, which includes difficult school environment. a number of agencies such as Health, DADHC,

Department of Education, Housing as well as non-government agencies.

Pauline Mendes at Bega Community Health Centre, Ph 02 64929620 [email protected]

TAFE Presentations held March 30th 2005

Paula Campbell & Noeline Leha both of Wallaga

Pictured: Tamsin demonstrating how a coolamon is Lake received a carried Certificate 1V in Social Housing. She said that her life experiences have shaped her

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Dreamtime Stories of the South East Coast Find-a-word (Find the hidden message) B A D T W O S I S T E R S G D O O W A N U R E A M T D I M O E S T U I O R Y B I N L Y R E B I R D O P S W L V C D A L U D O O L A G A R L T H E H A I R Y M A N O B U G E E N T N A E A A G N E I W C D O B A T T L E O F W A L L A G A L A K E L R C C U G L O I A S H E A B T L G S R A U O L L U L N R A A E R N I I A O A T K N U I U R A K S N N R S D R O G N T H I A J T G U B O T D T E M H D N A G I E N W A T A N E O C P A A A E S O M A N S G A R L L G R A R O N F R R M F B E B H O Y A E B A R N A O D T L T U S E G I E F L N P U T Y D Y L J E I W L T R G R O T O G E N Y N N F O A R M O G A R F D A H V U O Y T O Y I O C F A S A R A E B K E E L P I J O A S N K U R O N F N A A S S R L L P E Y R H G A S O N I I F S N T E S I E H E A D N U S C E S S S T T G R A M E R R I B I A L S L B E I H N G U S Resource: “Aborigines of the Illawarra and the South Coast”, Compiled by Michael Organ. University of Wollongong & Personal knowledge.

• Battle of Wallaga Lake • Jarangulli • Bangu (the flying fox) • Little People • Black Satin Bird • Lyrebird • Bugeen • Marlima (Spirit Women) • Bundoola King of the Sea • Merribi (the thunder) • Bunyip • Mulgani • Creation of Starfish • Pheasant and Jackass • Dianella Berry • Runaway Lovers • Diving Birds • Toonkoo and Nyardi • Doolagarl the Hairy Man • Tootawa and Pooloongul • Doowan (the Avengers) • Tulugal (the Devil) • Dyillagamberra (the rainmaker) • Two Sisters • First Crayfish • Under the She oaks • Gurungaty (the water monster) • Wagonga Egg Feast • Gulaga and her two Sons • Whalers • Hereafter (the afterlife)

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Interview with Mary Duroux My mother was a deaf mute. As a child of twelve she was taken to “Cootamundra Children’s continued Home” and then to “North Rocks”, a home for the deaf and blind, where she learned to speak Cathule was born at Albion Park in 1900, the with her hands. She was put into service at youngest of three girls. Ethel was the second Parramatta as a domestic servant. When she eldest. She was born in Jamberoo in 1899 and died turned eighteen she returned to Bega where the at age seventeen in 1916. The oldest sister was family were. There she worked as a “domestic”, Bessie Winifred Hookwin. Grandmother Mariah walking from Reedy Swamp into town. She arranged for Bessie to marry a non-Aboriginal worked for people by the name of “Crowe”. Mum man. She was very strict about such things but was thirty-four when she had me. She was in and Bessie later had the marriage annulled. out of hospital all the time, and one memory that sticks in my mind was on one of the days when Grandmother Mariah married Joseph (Joe) Bond she came home from the hospital. I was sitting in 1902. Joseph was born in 1872 at Ulladulla. with Uncle Cecil Dan, who was sharpening an axe. There children were: The oldest daughter Nellie My sister Noelene, who was born in 1937, was was born at Wallaga Lake on the 9th of August upset and began to cry. I picked her up and sung 1903. She married John Jack Mumbler the son of her to sleep all the time watching the sun set which Jack Mumbler and Rosie Carpenter. Nellie died in was really beautiful. Mum called out to me in a 1928. Jim, the oldest boy was born in Moruya in way I recognised. She had walked from Bega 1905. Emma was born in 1907. Her first marriage hospital to Tarraganda, a distance of 5.19 klms, was to David Charles Upright from Darlington and it would have taken her nearly two hours. My Point, and they married at Wallaga Lake. Her Uncle took my sister while I ran to Mum. She died second marriage was to Bill Johnson, a returned five days before my fifth birthday on the forth of serviceman of the British army. Joe junior was August 1939 at Bega. born at Bega in 1910. He married Cecilia McLeod who was born at Delegate and they were married I stayed with Aunty Emma and Uncle Charley on the 9th of September 1931 at St Johns Church who moved to Wallaga Lake where I started in Bega. The youngest daughter was Alice. She was school. My sister Noelene died while we were at born in 1912 at Wallaga Lake and died at Wallaga. We followed the seasonal work up to Tarraganda on the 15th of July 1926 at age Berry near Nowra, bean and pea picking, pulling fourteen of tuberculosis, She is buried in the turnips and carrots. I went to school at Jasper’s Roman Catholic cemetery at Bega. Grandfather Brush for a while. When seasonal work finished Joe Bond was murdered at Bega and robbed of a we moved to Terara where Uncle Charley was large amount of money. Grandmother Mariah killed stacking hay on a dray. Aunty Emma bought married again to David Morris, a non-Aboriginal Uncle Bob Brown’s house at Bomaderry. I was man from Bateman’s Bay. They didn’t have sent back to Bega to live with Uncle Joe and children. Aunty Cecilia Bond. I went to school at Bega until I was twelve or thirteen. The war finished in 1945, there were a lot of Aboriginal seasonal workers around Bega at this time mainly from around Orbost in Victoria. We were the only local Aboriginal family but were often visited by Wallaga people.

I went back to Bomaderry and stayed with Aunty Emma. I did house work for the Bomaderry Children’s Home for a few bob after school but mainly on weekends. I left Bomaderry School at fourteen and did some seasonal work at Nerrigundah. I went back to Bomaderry briefly then from there to Sydney where I worked as a domestic at Rose Bay. I got a job at a weaving mill Mary’s Mother Cath Hookwin with niece Leah, daughter of at Alexandria but we were put off due to the Nellie depression. I went back to the seasonal work at

13 the Bega bean paddocks. I was here, there and Association, the Burnt Bridge Parents and Citizens everywhere. Association, the Burnt Bridge branch of the Country Women’s Association (the first all The Aboriginal Welfare Board tried to encourage Aboriginal CWA in Australia). I managed two me into welfare work but I insisted on domestic highly successful sporting teams: The Burnt Bridge work. At sixteen they put me on a sheep station at junior hockey team and the Burnt Bridge senior Lake Cargellico which I really loved. I was there basketball team. for two to three years then I went back to Sydney, still doing domestic work. It wasn’t a very nice Around this time I began to develop my creative place there so I went back to Aunty Emma at talents and by the time we moved from the station Bega. to Kempsey I had begun my career as a poet. By 1973 my poem “Titiara” had been published in the I got into a disastrous relationship and stayed only Sydney Morning Herald. The poem was long enough to get out of it before I moved back subsequently reprinted in school textbooks. The to Sydney. I met up with an old Aunt who was New Dawn published four of my poems in July from Kempsey. She persuaded me to go back 1973 along with a cover story. I have written a there with her. I got a job in a riverside boarding number of songs, three have been recorded: house at Allendale that catered for buses. “Outcaste Halfcaste” (with Mick and Aileen Donovan), “Under the Old Southern Cross” (co- written with Shorty Ranger and recorded by Buddy Williams) and “Heartache C.O.D.” (with Harry and Wilga Williams).

I was invited as one of twenty-six writers of Aboriginal heritage to attend a convention jointly held by the Aboriginal Arts Board and the Literature Board of the Australia Council. The convention was held in Darwin in 1974. Dame Mary Durack was a member of the executive and she encouraged me to keep writing. I met with tribal Aboriginals of the area and this re-inforced my own Aboriginality and determination to involve myself in the affairs of my people. In 1976 I was one of seven of the first intake of Aboriginals to become officers with the then Department of Employment and Industrial Relations. I worked in Kempsey and held the position for four years, seeing the development of the CYSS program, the first of its kind in country Mary age eighteen, photo taken at Wallaga NSW and one of the most innovative.

I met my husband to be William Duroux. He was In 1977 I was a ministerial appointment to the the handyman at the Burnt Bridge Aboriginal Aboriginal Arts Board of the Australia Council, Station. His ancestors were New Caledonian, and retiring in 1981 from this and many other we married in Kempsey on the 29th of November positions due to my husbands failing health. Bills’ 1963. He was a good man and we were contented. death from cancer on the 9th of November 1982 With no children of our own we adopted Corrina, was a time for renewal. I took lessons in oil the daughter of a relative whom we raised from painting, which proved profitable during a low babyhood. period in my life. I won awards and saw my work exhibited as far afield as Melbourne. It was at Burnt Bridge that I became interested in politics in relation to Aboriginal communities, for In 1984 I returned to politics by becoming the it was only after moving to the North Coast that I Secretary of the Kempsey Local Aboriginal Land had experienced any form of racial discrimination. Council and the Secretary of the Mid North Coast I was associated with the Burnt Bridge Progress Regional Aboriginal Land Council, steering the

14 way toward the first successful land claims in I’m looking forward to the formation of the NSW. A few years earlier I was involved in the Aboriginal Boards of management for Biamanga move to force the State Government to overturn a and Gulaga National Parks. The whole process of decision to sell the Kinchela (Aboriginal) Boys Handback has been a gift to Aboriginal people. Home to an entrepreneur. The home eventually Not only do we get the mountains back but developed as an Aboriginal alcohol rehabilitation through doing our genealogies we get our families centre known as Bennelong’s Haven. back too. Native Title was an exercise in chasing our own tails. At the end of the day at least with I relinquished my association with the two land Handback we have something to show for our councils and retired from public life in 1986 due to efforts and whole communities benefit, not just a a heart attack and extreme frustration at the failure handful of people. of programs from internal wrangling and outside interference. I’d especially like to thank NPWS for giving us this opportunity. In 1989 I decided to return to my own tribal lands. Mary Duroux Since coming home I have held executive positions on the Local and Regional Land Councils, Kianga Aboriginal Corporation for the Burnum Burnum Sanctuary Aged, Yuin Council of Elders, Matong Merringanna, Djuwin Women’s Lore Council and Opening Sunday, 21 August 2005 been involved in the Federation Aboriginal Torres

Strait Island Language (FATSIL), Australian Institute Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Studies 'The bringing together of two cultures and two (AIATSIS), NSW Language Committee (Public communities’ Jannali Reserve officially became Officer) and more recently the negotiations for the Burnum Burnum Sanctuary on Sunday, 21 August. handback of Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks. Sutherland Shire Council hosted the family fun day In 1993 my book of poems “Dirge for Hidden & celebration which included an official renaming Art” was published. ceremony & dedication of the opening of the Burnum Burnum Sanctuary at Woronora & also the In 1995 I travelled with Evie Pikler, Eileen Button acceptance & exchange of Reconciliation Statements and Emily Walker to America. With the between Sutherland Shire Council & the Aboriginal permission of a Native American Elder we community. travelled through California, New York State, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado. We were Following this very special landmark renaming & welcomed by Indigenous leaders throughout the exchange, guests & local residents enjoyed nation. Aboriginal cultural dance, music & storytelling performed by Yidaki Didg & Dance, free bush tucker In 1998 I travelled with Evie to Holland, delights, free native tree give-aways & a BBQ England, Wales and France sharing our sausage sizzle provided by Engadine Lions Club. Aboriginal culture. In June 1999 Evie and I travelled to New Zealand on invitation to attend Children were delighted with face-painting in native animal designs & captivated by Aboriginal Park the “Ko Huiarau Royal Court” (re-opening of Ranger, Pamela Young, where they experienced Maori Parliament) in Auckland. cultural dance, story telling & bead necklace making.

My second book “The Rainflower” will be launched on the eighth of October 2005. Wendy Bunn Aboriginal Projects & Marketing Coordinator In my spare time I like to do art and write poetry. I Cultural Planning & Events Unit enjoy travelling and seeing new places or revisiting Sutherland Shire Council old ones. I especially love to see my work in song Locked Bag 17 Sutherland 1499 Australia or on exhibition. Tel: 61 2 9710 0997 Fax: 61 2 9710 0995

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All the cabins have been booked for this weekend and sleep 4 to 6 people. If you intend The Djuwin Women’s taking part in the camp you MUST REGISTER to allow for bed allocation and catering purposes. Lore Council Please contact: Trisha Ellis on 0428660432. Are holding a to register.

Activities and Discussions Women’s Culture Camp Friday: Activities start around 4.00pm. Saturdays: Activities all day On Sunday: Activities to 3.00pm

Friday 18th and Saturday 19th of A letter from Daphne outlines her intentions and November is as follows: At To the DWLC

Thank you for the invitation to attend the next Beachcomber Resort Djuwin Women's Lore Council culture camp. Caravan Park This will be a good opportunity for me to meet everyone and explain more about my project. Potato Point – Bodalla. Although I have already heard from some Indigenous women on the south coast I am Accommodation and meals are provided. hoping that some others might be happy to be All Aboriginal women and children are welcome involved.

My project is about Indigenous knowledge and Daphne Nash of the Centre for Cross-Cultural science education and I have begun to document Research. Australian National University, some aspects of people's knowledge relating to Canberra will be a special guest of the Camp. the natural environment. This includes details She plans to observe the workshops and speak from people's memories of living on the coast with participants on a range of issues in relation and the kinds of resources used in the past as to the passing on of knowledge and skills to well as modern activities and resource use such younger generations. as, fishing, gathering pippies. I am also interested in your views on conservation and management Workshop activities include: of the environment and the values and practices • Smoking Ceremonies that are important to pass on to the next • Basket weaving generation. • Rope making I am really looking forward to meeting you all! • Fishing line and hook preparation Yours sincerely • Bushfood and medicine walks Daphne Nash • Storytelling • Dance Daphne Nash • Art The Centre for Cross-Cultural Research Old Canberra House, Building 073 Topics to be discussed include: Australian National University • conservation and management of the Canberra ACT 0200 environment • memories of living on the coast Phone +61 2 61254731 • a camp for non-Aboriginal women March Fax +61 2 61252438 2006 http://www.anu.edu.au/culture

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working in Queanbeyan as an Aboriginal Heritage Planning Officer was a very welcomed NAIDOC 2005 guest presenter over the three days. She shared some of her experiences and knowledge. Bournda National Park

Eden artist Cheryl Davison showed the attentive Pictured: Dan Morgan, Liz Dargin and Bruce Toomey students, parents and teachers traditional prepare the fire for the smoking ceremony weaving methods and plants used. Some took up

Seven primary schools from Cobargo to the challenge of lighting fire with nothing more Merimbula sent students to Bournda National than 2 sticks and some bark fibre. I’m sure with Park during the last 3 days of June to take part in a bit more time they would have made smoke. fun activities where they learnt about and experienced Aboriginal culture. Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer Graham Moore and Doug Reckord from the Bournda Environmental Education Centre (BEEC) organised a program, which included a welcome and smoking ceremony and allocation to kinship groups.

Most enjoyed the chance to taste kangaroo, crocodile and emu at lunchtime, but all enjoyed the damper with jam prepared by NPWS and BEEC staff.

Pictured: Graham Moore performing the smoking ceremony

Graham Moore and NPWS Field Officers, Dan Morgan and Bruce Toomey, showed the children bush food and medicine plants, artefacts, tools and games. Spear throwing with Bruce was very popular with some impressive skills displayed by the students.

Liz Dargin, who is normally a Ranger based at Alstonville on the north coast but is currently

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Pictured: Eurobodalla Cobowra Light Horse trooper Adrian Fierer shows how to tentpeg. It was The Australian Light Horse upholds the a technique used by history of Aboriginal soldiers. the Light Horse in battle to get the better THE role of Aboriginal soldiers in World of the enemy. On a War I was highlighted at the 2005 Naidoc night with good moonlight, if they celebrations at Cobowra Land Council in could sneak up on an enemy camp, they would then gallop Moruya when the Eurobodalla Light Horse through and pull the tent pegs up with their swords and trap Troop made a presentation and gave a display of the enemy in their sleep, without having to fire a shot. skill at arms. Troop president Gary Traynor (a local police sergeant), introduced the Troop and made a short speech about Aboriginal involvement in the Light Horse Brigades of World War 1. Through his research Gary found that a Kevin Stewart, of Wallaga Lake was enlisted in the Light Horse and probably signed on at Tilba, which had an active troop for the Battle of Order 1905 to 1915. Bega had three troops, which also served in World War I. Albert Beulah, a full blood Aboriginal soldier, enlisted in Sydney and served with the Light Horse overseas in World War 1. Albert’s descendants, the Clegg family, live in Narooma. Albert survived the war. He says, “I just kept my head down” and went on to live a long life celebrating a 70th wedding anniversary and attending many Anzac Day commemorations with other returned servicemen. Pictured: Eurobodalla Light Horse Troop led by Adrian Eurobodalla Light Horse Troop is a part Fierer, with troopers Karen Lee and Jo Rugg also in the of a national body, “the Australian Light Horse picture, as the troop enters Cobowra for the opening Association”, This body aims to preserve the ceremony on Naidoc Day 2005. history and the skill of the Light Horse. The troop was welcomed at Cobowra’s Naidoc Day and drew a lot of interest from people there on the day. Bev Moreton and Kylie Brierley tried out a couple of the troop horses and took them for a ride in a designated area. Troop horses are trained to be relatively quiet and cope with crowds and different riders. The Troop welcomes new members and you don’t have to have a horse to sign on, just an interest in the Light Horse and the local troops aims. Anyone interested in finding out more should contact Adrian Fierer on 0404 850 584 or Pictured: Eurobodalla Light Horse Troop president Gary Traynor gives a talk on the Light Horse at Cobowra’s come and check us out at training days (usually Naidoc Day 2005. Sunday’s at Moruya Pony Club grounds on Noads Road, Moruya.

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Dreamtime Stories of the South East Coast

Find-a-word Answers

Legend Legend KEY to Legend Battle of Wallaga Lake 26 Jarangulli 310 Bangu (the flying fox) 1916 Little People 4 8 Word starts Black Satin Bird 192 Lyrebird 23  Across Bugeen 25 Marlima (Spirit 1310  Down Women) Bundoola King of the 11 Merribi (the thunder) 220  Word Direction Sea Bunyip 513 Mulgani 1512  Word Direction Creation of Starfish 163 Pheasant and Jackass 113 Dianella Berry 72 Runaway Lovers 27 Diving Birds 151 Toonkoo and Nyardi 85 Doolagarl the Hairy Man 14 Tootawa and 101 Pooloongul Doowan (the Avengers) 151 Tulugal (the Devil) 56 Dyillagamberra (the 173 Two Sisters 41 rainmaker) First Crayfish 97 Under the She oaks 203 Gurungaty (the water 67 Wagonga Egg Feast 185 monster) Gulaga and her two Sons 141 Whalers 133 Hereafter (the afterlife) 127 Resource: “Aborigines of the Illawarra and the South Coast”, Compiled by Michael Organ. University of Wollongong & Personal knowledge.

Vincentia High School

Vincentia High School celebrated NAIDOC week in June 2005.

On the 27th of June we had our special guest speaker Trisha Ellis who spoke at our NAIDOC week formal assembly. Other activities included a whole school smoking ceremony, a flag raising ceremony, morning tea and speeches from our Koori students.

Pictured: Trisha Ellis (NPWS), Helen Pussell (Aboriginal Education Assistant) and Alisha Hanns a Year 8 student.

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Calendar of Events Subscription details

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October receive your copy of future quarterly

Tuesday 4th Jewish New Year newsletters and forward them to: (Rosh Hashanah) Trisha Ellis

Ramadan Begins Aboriginal Project Officer

th Thursday 13 Jewish Day of Parks Service Division

Atonement Department of Environment & (Yom Kippur) Conservation

Monday 24th United Nations Day PO Box 282

Narooma NSW 2546

Telephone: 02 44760846 November Facsimile: 02 44761793

Thursday 3rd Id-Ul-Fitr Mobile: 04 28660432 Email: Friday 11th Remembrance Day [email protected]

Friday 18th & Djuwin Women’s Lore Name: ______

Saturday 19th Council Camp at

Potato Point Address:

______Sunday 27th Advent Sunday

th ______Wednesday 30 St Andrews Day

______

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Note: Photocopies of back issues available on

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