Ountry Edition 1 |2012

Caring for Alinytjara Wilurara Natural Resources Management Board ountry Edition 1 |2012

From the Road, Urrbrae) where we are in strong partnerships with Aboriginal Regional Manager’s Desk close proximity to State and Federal stakeholders and communities across Government partners (also located the region. Some of the fantastic at the Waite). This will assist us in outcomes which have been delivered strengthening partnerships and are highlighted in this newsletter. Palya! delivery arrangements. Personally, I am extremely excited The Alinytjara Wilurara (AW) region The Waite is located amongst beautiful about what the next 12-24 months has gone through some major changes surrounds, and we encourage our holds for the AW region. Enjoy! over the past year. The Department of regional partners to drop in whenever Environment, and Natural Resources they come to the big smoke. Matt Ward amalgamated with the Department A/Regional Manager of Water on 1 July to form our new We also have some significant changes Natural Resources - Alinytjara Wilurara Department of Environment, Water in staff. We will be welcoming our DEWNR and Natural Resources (DEWNR). With new and very experienced Regional full transition complete all Alinytjara Manager to the team in October, we Wilurara Natural Resouces (AW NR) have a new Regional Project Officer, staff are now employed by DEWNR. As Nathan Williams who recently started Contents in Ceduna and who by all reports is such we will continue to deliver Caring This issue... for Country projects and implement doing an exceptional job and Helen the AW NRM Regional Plan in Donald, our new Communications/ Regional Manager’s Update Executive Officer who has hit the partnership with the AW NRM Board, Fire Mangement Strategy communities and other stakeholders. ground running liaising and supporting the AW NR Board, managing our Teaming up to take care of DEWNR’s message is to... publications and generally looking for Googs Lake, Yumbarra ways to raise the profile of the AW Mamungari Big Women’s Trip increase our focus on managing region and the NR work being done Minmya Tjutaku Manta the state’s natural resources in there. close partnership with regional Rockhole recovery stakeholders and communities Despite the challenges which change Yalata – Re-vegetation and inevitably brings, I believe the new beach clean-up department provides a perfect Regional DEWNR Natural Resource framework for delivering community New Community Grants Centres that support local interaction based Caring for Country in the AW Nullarbor Bio-monitoring Project are opening across South Australia region. In fact, I would go as far to say NRM – Indulkana Community with the Natural Resources Centre to that the AW region is leading the state be opened in mid October in Ceduna. in engaging and employing Aboriginal Weather stations This service centre will accommodate communities in Caring for Country and both AW and Eyre Peninsula staff Dreamweaver: Supporting NRM projects, which will hopefully Women’s Participation in NRM who will increasingly be working in lead to long-term employment and partnership across the AW region. broader community development. Whale Survey The AW NR Board, AW Regional In late June, our Adelaide office Oak Valley Land Management Management Team and AW staff have moved to the Waite Institute (Waite Welcomes and Farewells all been working tirelessly to develop

ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD Fire Management Strategy draft for the Objectives of the Fire Management Strategy AW Region 1. Support Anangu Fire yyintegrate active management Management aspirations with natural fire events to yySupport the integration and maintain and improve the continuity of traditional viability of native species, knowledge into fire populations, communities and management in the region habitats in the strategy area

2. Protect Life and Property 6 Identify Training, Resource and yyminimise the risk that Infrastructure Requirements bushfire poses to life and yyidentify training, equipment property, including significant and staffing requirements. infrastructure, within the strategy area 7. Identify Suppression Considerations Buffle Grass burning at Umuwa yydevelop community awareness yyidentify existing response plans The Alinytjara Wilurara Fire and education strategies and associated suppression Management Strategy has been considerations. developed to help facilitate fire 3. Protect Areas of Cultural Significance management planning across the AW 8. Manage Fire Risk and Public yyensure that sites and areas NRM Region. Access important in Anangu culture are yyidentify visitor management Nine different landscapes have been protected from the threat of issues defined, according to biogeographic, bushfire soil and land types to make fire 9. Manage Post-fire management more practical across the 4. Manage Fuels on a Landscape Rehabilitation and Recovery AW region’s 28.5 million hectares. Scale yyreduce likelihood of whole 10. Manage Adaptively Two landscapes, the Bunda Cliffs and reserve and/or area of yymanage adaptively by Yalata coast, including marine areas contiguous native vegetation continuously improving in the Regions boundaries, are not burning in single bushfire event knowledge of fire regimes discussed in the fire strategy. required by species, 5. Protect and Enhance populations, communities The AW Fire Management Strategy Biodiversity and habitats through ongoing provides a framework for Anangu yyprotect important habitats (referring to any Aboriginal person with and provide for the protection monitoring and research. an interest in the AW Region in this of fauna and flora species strategy) to develop fire management of cultural and conservation plans and/or annual work programmes significance at a landscape scale for seven Fire Management Landscapes in partnership (ngapartji- As Dr. Malcolm Gill, Australia’s pre-eminent contemporary fire ecologist, has ngapartji) with supporting agencies. suggested that: The fire management strategies are developed using a risk-based, The possibility of emplacement of ‘traditional’ fire regimes…., through the landscape-scale approach to restoration of cultural practices, depends on the legacy of traditional knowledge address life and property, cultural and its application within a context of changed landscapes, changed cultural and ecological protection needs mores and contemporary management aspirations. and combines traditional ecological (Gill 2000, pg 5) knowledge and scientific information to support contemporary Anangu On DEWNR managed reserves within the strategy area standard DEWNR fire aspirations and protect and enhance management policy and procedure will be applied, where appropriate and in biodiversity. accordance with existing reserve management plans.

www.awnrm.sa.gov.au It is not the intention of this strategy Teaming up to take care of Googs Lake, Yumbarra to replace or direct cultural fire Conservation Park management activities undertaken by Anangu on Anangu lands, Just a few hours’ drive north of Ceduna, is the entranceway to the largest whether carried out by traditional remaining continuous Mallee ecosystem in Australia: Yumbarra Conservation or contemporary means. Rather, Park and Yellabinna Regional Reserve. As well as being a significant biological this strategy seeks to support corridor, these lands are inextricably linked to culture, with a living-connection the integration and continuity of to country sustained by the aboriginal people of the region, including numerous traditional knowledge within fire sacred sites such as rock assemblages and rockholes. management in the region, based upon Googs Lake is a significant salt lake within Yumbarra, a place loved by many for contemporary Anangu aspirations and the unique wilderness camping experience it provides. Over the years, locals and the maintenance and enhancement of rangers have noticed that the area around the lake is becoming degraded, with biodiversity. unrestricted and uninformed 4WD access causing damage to important cultural On Anangu owned land, it is the sites, and to fragile native habitats. Anangu owners who must have Eyre Peninsula Ranger Tammy Cox, AW staff Ollanta Lipcer, Phil Landless, The final say about the management of West Mallee Protection group and local volunteers have teamed together to their country, and be supported to revegetate and rehabilitate the area around the lake and to protect and promote implement their plans by relevant land the special place that it is. management agencies. It is important that all agencies work together to build trust and collaborate effectively, to provide the best possible support to Anangu. This includes sharing resources and information, and working with landowners and their organisations to make equitable and accepted resource allocation decisions.

On country that is to be jointly Preparing old tracks for re-vegetation Aaron Birnell closing old tracks managed, it is vital that the process In June this year they spent 5 days working at the lake, closing old tracks, and of joint management - Tjungaringu working to promote the regeneration of local species around the lake. There in Anangu - “reinforces Nguraritja were kids, volunteers and local trainees all pitching in, closing old tracks, (Aboriginal traditional owners) as the scattering seed, clearing up rubbish, monitoring weeds, and cultivating the soil to custodians and interpreters of their encourage some natural regeneration. own culture, and advocates for the But it is only the beginning.. this year and next year we will be teaming up own social and economic interests” with local schools, volunteers and trainees to keep promoting, protecting and Consultation with Anangu on the rehabilitating the very special area of Googs Lake. draft plan is about to begin with their comments, additions and changes being incorporated into the document before the standard public consultation process is undertaken.

For further information on the Strategy, please contact Joe Stelmann AW Regional Fire Officer

Email: [email protected] Phone: 08 83039711 Mobile: 0429694022 Example of a steep and dangerous track, causing vehicle damage to Googs Lake – now closed for re-vegetation

ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD Mamungari Big Women’s Trip Minmya Tjutaku Manta

Ollanta Lipcer Community Programs Coordinator

Traditional owners and elders from the areas surrounding Mamungari Conservation Park have expressed how important it is for women to be supported to get back to this country to visit sacred sites, teach young women, share knowledge and make sure these sites are cared for.

Along with the Mamungari Co- Planning where the camp site will be management Board, the Ceduna With only weeks to go before we set off, we are all working hard to make Aboriginal Arts and Culture Centre sure that this trip is a success - helping to bring women together to share and all the Communities’ help, AW knowledge and care for country. NR are supporting a trip in September for women from Ceduna, Koonibba, Scotdesco, Yalata, Oak Valley and Tjuntjuntjara (WA) to re-visit women’s sites of cultural significance around Mamungari Conservation Park – The Serpentine Lakes area.

From the beginning, this has been a community led project, with many people involved in the planning and advising. In May, Mima Smart and Lena Taylor helped to get women together Planning where to set up the camp site Traditional bush tucker, Witchetty grubs to talk and plan for this big trip. There were 12 women from Yalata and Oak Valley, including Ada Hart Rockhole recovery and Margaret May and AW NR staff. Over the Easter Break 50 participants The trips help facilitate the sharing We spent three days out on country, travelled the sandy tracks of the of traditional ecological knowledge planning the trip and discussing its importance, as well as digging for Yumbarra Conservation Park and between generations and continue maku and making bush medicine. the Yellabinna Regional Reserve for to engage volunteers from around Rita Bryant named the trip: Minmya another successful Rockhole Australia in natural resource Tjutaku Manta miil-miil, many women’s Recovery trip. management activities. sacred ground. Motion sensor cameras were set a This ongoing program focusing on the week prior to the main trip as part In July, Ada Hart, Margaret May and cultural and ecological care of surface of monitoring biodiversity and feral Cindy Watson took us out to find a waters was initiated and implemented animal threats. Motion sensor cameras suitable site for all of the women to by Kokatha Mula (FWDAC) and West confirmed the presence of wild dogs camp at. We chose a base camp, and Mallee Protection and is supported by visited some of the sites we will be as well as dingoes in the region casting the Alinytjara Wilurara region of the travelling to on the big trip. On the way doubt on the topical debate regarding Department of Environment, Water we spoke to women in Tjuntjuntjara the validity of removing sections of the and Natural Resources (DEWNR). about the trip, and checked all the dog fence. roads to make sure that the way there will be safe for all of us to travel.

www.awnrm.sa.gov.au Yalata – Revegetation and beach clean-up New Community Grants Yalata Community Incorporated In 2012, AW staff, Yalata Land Management and Yalata youth spent The Yalata Community will be two days revegetating the roadside involved in revegetating several and borrow pits around Pintumba vacant areas of their land with a and Nundroo, along the Eyre highway. selection of native plants that are Funded by Transport SA, AW and Yalata significant to the community and 1100 trees were planted ocross 1.7 environment. Some of the activities will include seed collection, planting hectares. of seedlings and spreading seed, Now, two years later, many of the and mulching. This project supports seedlings that we planted have grown We spent two days visiting these native fauna and traditional bush and are ready to have their tree-guards seedlings, removing tree guards, food and medicinal practices. removed to start facing the world on clearing weed matting and checking on their own! the different trees that had succeeded With the guidance of Yalata elders in different places. With an early finish and the support of Alinytjara on the second day Yalata youth took Wilurara NRM staff, Yalata Land Management and various us out to their most visited beach – volunteers from the community, Yalata beach and we all set to work the youth of Yalata will be educated clearing away rubbish and marine on the cultural and environmental debris from around the campsites significance of rockholes and reef. We collected over 20 kilos surrounding the community. The of marine debris, mostly consisting of youth will learn how to monitor ropes and plastics, which can be a big feral and native fauna activity entanglement threat to some of the around two specific rockholes, larger marine mammals who also call manage weeds and erosion, clean the area home. the rockholes using specialist This project is part of an ongoing tools and machinery, and continue to maintain and preserve these partnership between Yalata and AW, working together for the country, significant sites. Yalata youths working with Land Management staff coast and people.

Sue Haseldine setting up a motion sensor camera Dingoes and wild dogs captured by a motion sensor camera

ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD Anangu involvement Claimants Group provided unpaid in the Nullarbor Bio- guidance, advice and counsel monitoring Project yy In total at least 43 Aboriginal people were involved in these activities Harald Ehmann Threatened Species Officer and Nullarbor Anangu community engagement: Bio-monitoring Project Manager April 2012

Project overview Visits by community groups to the accessible monitoring sites at The Alinytjara Wilurara Natural Catacombs, Koonalda, Colona, Ifould, Resource Management Board received James Peel jnr and Roy Dunn measuring a photopoint and Muckera were prepared for, and funding for monitoring the Nullarbor a group from Yalata travelled to the in South Australia for habitat health, Catacombs and Koonalda area. trends and changes with a specific emphasis on climate change. The analysis of the 2012 monitoring will use the data gathered in the 1984 Nullarbor Biological Survey to assess trends in habitat health and changes.

Preparations including field evaluations, community engagement, site re-commissioning work and fine tuning of the proposed monitoring were underway for almost three years prior to undertaking the main Parker Hogan placing a photopoint Parker Hogan and Roy Dunn checking tjina (tracks) monitoring event in April 2010. Anangu community Anangu school’s involvement was also There are now 104 (of which 64 are engagement: General sought but unfortunately, because the new) plant and animal monitoring 2nd monitoring week coinciding with Anangu involvement was and will sites, and 160 ‘trees’ sites (all are new). the 1st week of the autumn school continue to be foremost in this project: holidays and with Easter, this proved yy Anangu have been kept informed impractical. through meetings, individual contact, through direct involvement Ongoing steps and continuing in field work, and through the AW Anangu involvement newsletter articles Some additional follow-up work yy Senior men from Yalata, Oak Valley occurred in late June to get photopoint and Tjuntjunjara Communities data that could not be obtained in were involved in advising and field April. In the near future about 40 of reconnaissance work for this project the 272 photopoints that are at risk to yy Aboriginal people from or dingo damage need to be consolidated. associated with Yalata, Oak Valley This work will provide work and and the Far West Native Title training opportunities for Anangu. Claimants Group were involved in paid work The field work data is currently being collated and analysed and yy Aboriginal people from or a preliminary summary is due in associated with Yalata, Oak Valley September 2012. Roger Williams putting in pitfall trap and the Far West Native Title

www.awnrm.sa.gov.au A spinoff from this work has been the Early recommendations development of a training module Further recommendations will be in on how to select photopoints, how the awaited reports. to place them, and how to take the images that can be used anywhere. It 1. That an early report of the results can be provided to Anangu community and management outcomes members and land management be presented to the Maralinga trainees from Oak Valley, Yalata and Tjarutja (MT) Council and Oak the APY Lands as required. Valley Community, and Yalata Land Management and the Yalata A preliminary report of the results Community as soon as possible. and the implications for management Pygmy Possum, Yalata Lands (especially the potential early 2. That the Board sustains and Native and feral inhabitants intervention measures) will be strengthens its position on control of camels and their impacts on of South Australia’s presented to the AW NRM Board as Nullarbor Plain soon as possible. the Nullarbor and its environs. During this bio-monitoring project In the future it is planned that we were struck and alarmed Anangu land managers will conduct by the extent and severity of the photopoint monitoring at the camel impact at many sites of 272 field sites that are clustered in 8 high biodiversity and cultural widespread parts of the Nullarbor in significance including dongas, South Australia. This work will need rockholes, dolines and caves. to be repeated about every 3 to 8 years depending on the preceding 3. That about 30 additional and prevailing seasonal factors. It is monitoring sites be added to envisaged that this will become one include an adequate number of Tinka (Sand Goanna) near Muckera, Maralinga Tjarutja of the regular monitoring and land the 800+ of under-represented management activities for the Land dongas of the northern Nullarbor Management groups (existing at Yalata, Plain. These would particularly forming at Oak Valley, and potentially monitor the long-term trends in in the far west). This monitoring will be camel, rabbit and mouse impacts essential in managing the health of the and damage and thereby inform Nullarbor Plain and its environs. habitat management actions for donga-depended wildlife. Their placement and ongoing monitoring would be a good work activity for the MT Land Management group that is being formed.

Tarkawarra (Mitchell Hopping Mouse) near Muckera, Maralinga Tjarutja

Papa inara (dingoes) near Hughes, Maralinga Tjarutja Severe rabbit damage near Hughes, Maralinga Tjarutja Camel remains and kuna (faeces) in Nullarbor rockhole Photograhy courtesy of Harald Ehmann ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD NR work with the significant site, with considerable Indulkana Community evidence of extended occupation, a water soak which has been impacted Bruce MacPherson by the erection of a windmill during Community Engagement Officer the Pastoral days and significant rock art. The community has indicated DEWNR has commenced a series of that they wish to open access to the partnership projects with Iwantja site to teach ‘tjukarpa’ to the younger Community (Indulkana) in the Eastern community members. The site was APY Lands. With increased focus by visited by DEWNR’s Threatened Species AW NR on providing support for this Officer Harald Ehrmann, who carried community there is much that can out an ecological assessment which At the slowly approaching fire front be acheived into the future. In 2011 will guide further work. The Senior Two Elders, Huey Cullinan and Peter AWNRM (as it then was) assisted the men have also burnt the site, which Mungkuri, considered to be most community to lodge an application for was very overgrown limiting vehicular knowledgeable in traditional burning NRM funds entitled Restoring Culture access. practices, burnt off the encroaching and Protecting Land. A grant for and choking growth around the Soak $23,000 was allocated and a series of Detailed planning will take place on the windmill and the adjoining ground. meetings with the Iwantja Community both sites in coming months. Council, Iwantja School and Iwantja Youth Shed, has revealed a great deal of passions and enthusiasm for work to commence on a number of sites surrounding the community. As a result of the community’s enthusiasm, DEWNR has also committed some other program funds to the community to assist in the monitoring and maintenance of Cultural Water sites. The community has selected a number of sites to start work on.

The women in the community have Far end of water flow away from windmill with fire in Part of the burnt area at Policeman Soak with the fire identified two important rockhole the background. Note absence of any node rushes or front burning slowly into the southerly air flow sites with cultural significance. The other aquatic or fringing vegetation, and salty ground Iwantja school has offered to support Site and wetlands evaluation with this aspect of the project, which will Restoration project at restoration potential focus on visiting sites, ensuring that Policeman Soak David McGuiness reported that on the stories pertaining to the sites are Harald Ehmann his previous visit two weeks ago the passed onto the younger generation, windmill was turned off, the water assessing environmental issues related Threatened Species Officer and Nullarbor Bio-monitoring Project Manager level in the dug well was about one to the sites, including threats from feral metre down, and there was no flow species, weeds, etc and developing of water in the totally dry surface a plan to maintain the cultural and On 24 July 2012 I visited the site drainage line. The fringing vegetation environmental integrity of the sites. with project participants Elders Huey within 30 metres of the surface These stories will then be woven into Cullinan, Peter Mungkuri, Alec Baker drainage line (which is part of the the school activities. and David Pearson, and younger men Jeffrey Baker, Robert Strangways, natural drainage line/creek) did not A second project, running concurrently Shaun Brumby and Dion Cullinan. The include any plant species that are and supported by the Iwantja Iwantja Youth Shed Coordinator, David usually associated with elevated water Youth Shed and CDEP, will focus on McGuinness, facilitated the on-ground availability (eg rushes, node rushes). Policeman’s Bore. This is a culturally work and the visit.

www.awnrm.sa.gov.au Widespread scatter of stone tool chips found at the site indicating former prolonged Anangu habitation

Prior to well being dug into the original soak site during the Peter Mungkuri at Policeman’s Soak after burn pastoral days, this area was an important water source and residence site for Anangu.

Generous and widespread scatter of stone tool chips on the extensive sandy soil to the west of the site as well as the rock art in the small caves in the southern rock wall near the soak supports that this area was an important water source and residence site for Anangu. During the driest Surface water near mill outflow. Note green submerged The scat being pointed out is from a Nintaka, the times Anangu would have dug down ground colour due to very recent algal growth others are from a various sized Kanula to the subsurface water table for their It is also possible that all vertebrates The rocky slopes and rock faces have personal needs, hence its recorded that favour wetland conditions (eg many small eroded shelters and caves designation as a soak. mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs) that are likely to provide habitat and from the general vicinity would refuges for mammals (esp. bats), birds When the site was a stock watering eventually find their way there and re- and reptiles. The characteristic scats point water dependent plants and colonise the site. of Fat-tail Pseudantechinus were seen animals were destroyed through and bird habitation appears to be intense grazing and trampling. It is General area evaluation with extensive. Scats of Nintaka and the difficult to say whether the Soak’s restoration potential shed skin of a large-blotched Python natural flow conditions can be partly or were found. Both of these reptiles are fully restored. Beyond the 50 to 300 metres zone, top level carnivores, and their presence associated with a pastoral stock indicates a high level of habitat. With restoration of water flow by watering point, the plants and habitats in the vicinity and area surrounding Cleaning up the site with fire using smoke and heat. cleaning and clearing the site, some The way the fire was lit was carefully planned to plant and non-vertebrate animal Policeman Soak are in good condition. minimize the intensity and run-away potential. species may return by natural dispersal. To determine the nature and extent of such re-habitation further evaluation of available records combined with local knowledge of the wetlands plants and non-vertebrate animals is needed. Photograhy courtesy of Harald Ehmann

ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD Weather stations at Conservation Park. This weather Oak Valley and Rodinia installation will give the Oak Valley community the ability to find out Airstrip exactly what the weather is doing around the region. This time we didn’t Project Report have an audience so the work was Natham Williams able to be done more quickly. We had a CDEP participant with us, Ivan AW Project Officer, Ceduna Bryant who was a very good worker and an excellent story teller, he kept On the 27th March 2012, Ollie and I us entertained all the way to Rodinia Oak Valley School children viewing the new station took two guys from MEA (Measuring telling stories about the land and station from being damaged. No state Equipment Australia) to Oak Valley to how he’s connected to such beautiful of the art tools and gadgets were install two weather stations. This type country. of weather station consists of one solar needed, just a couple of screw drivers, panel (to keep the batteries alive), a a spanner, a shovel and the smallest The long term use of these weather small glass dome (to measure the sun post-hole digger I’ve ever seen. stations will allow us to look back light), a rain gauge and wind direction It normally takes about 2-3 hours to over data from previous years sensor, a soil sensor (to measure the install a weather station but we took and compare it with more recent temperature on the surface) and some extra time to educate the older data, which could then be used a smart computer to relay all the school kids from the school about to roughly say what time of year information gathered via satellite to what it does and why it is important it should rain, when it will start the head office in Adelaide. These to record information about the cooling off or when it might start weather stations measure: weather. The school children were very heating up ... yyradiation from sunlight inquisitive about what we were doing. We included a class activity where the Unfortunately this type of weather yyair and ground temperature kids made small posters showing how station can’t predict the weather but yyrainfall the rainfall cycle worked. with a bit more understanding of how this tool works, the local people will be yyhumidity (water in the air) We installed the second station at able to have a pretty good idea of what yythe amount of dust in the air the Rodinia Airstrip which is about weather to expect and when. The first of the weather stations 2 and half hours west of the Oak was installed near the Oak Valley Valley community – about 50 km We can also compare data to the Bush School where the Oak Valley CDEP from the WA border. We chose a Tucker seasons. This information could workers had already put up a security well maintained patch of the airstrip be an excellent tool to have in schools compound to protect the weather at the bottom end of Mamungari to teach kids how to recognise the changes of the four seasons and know what is available at different times of the year.

Learning about how the weather station equipment works on location Classroom learning and activities at OV Primary School

www.awnrm.sa.gov.au Dreamweaver: Supporting Women’s Participation in Natural Resource Management

DENWR AW has received funding for a project entitled Dreamweaver: Supporting Women’s Participation in Natural Resource Management.

The project idea grew out of a Women in NRM Conference held in Broken

Hill in 2010, where a number of Involving youths in maintanence of the rockholes is important to safegarding water supplies into the future. inhibitors to women’s engagement In the second phase of the project, For further information contact AW’s were identified. These included lack women in each area will select one Manager, Community Engagement, of transport, a preference for family of the sites they have visited to do Bruce Macpherson on 0467765511. oriented projects, and those which intensive maintenance work, such include a plan for transmission of as draining and cleaning, burning, knowledge between the generations. removal of invasive weeds or past animals, identification of species which The Dreamweaver project application rely on the site for water. was submitted in 2010 and was unsuccessful in attracting funds. The level of documentation will be However, AW was advised in February guided by the women themselves this year that the Project was to be and sensitivities around some site will funded from slippage funds, with a greatly restrict the way and extent of shortened time-frame. DEWNR AW information collected. has modified the project slightly to cover the SA Arid lands (SAAL), Eyre It is an exciting project, which Peninsular (EP) and AW regions. The dovetails with People, Country and project will focus on assessment and Water priorities of DEWNR AW. management of 16 women’s cultural Helping with cleaning up one of the polluted rock holes water sites across the regions.

A couple of sites, Mimili and Indulkana have already been selected and the remainder will be negotiated in coming weeks.

The women in the selected sites will carry out a comprehensive assessment of two women’s water related sites. These may be rockholes, claypans, soaks or springs. The assessment process will be common across the sites, with cultural transmission of stories related to the sites an integral part of the project. Some work in maintaining sites will be carried out during this phase of the project. Lorna Dodd from Sandy Bore standing by the “no men allowed” sign near one of the women’s cultural water sites

ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD 2012 Far West Coast Whale watching on location... Whale Survey

Over a hundred southern right whales were counted at the Head of Bight on South Australia’s west coast during the the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) annual monitoring program. Getting a hand to watch the whales through binoculars Whale showing distinguishing callosite patterns With 119 individual southern right whales, including 55 calves, recorded within the Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) at the Head of Bight during a two-week monitoring expedition. Between August 17 and the August 31 staff from the Alinytjara Wilurara and Eyre Peninsula Natural Resources along with four volunteers Pointing out the latest whale to visit the watching platform Whale diving showing tail and 25 local Aboriginal community members from Yalata monitored the coastline for whale activity.

Visitors to the whale watching platform Recording the activities of the monitoring program

Yasmin Wolf, DEWNR’s Alinytjara Wilurara coast project officer said that visitors to the Head of Bight were treated to sightings of large numbers of migrating whales while they were residing in the area for their breeding season. This generally takes place from May to October.

The type of information that the group recorded included: how long it takes before a female commences breeding; how often females breed; how long the calves stay with mothers and; movement between locations.

www.awnrm.sa.gov.au Binoculars were used to survey the number of whales in the area, and photographic records were made to record individual whales taking note of the patterns of callosities (roughed patches of skin colonised by crustaceans) on their heads and other markings such as white blazes on their backs and undersides.

During the 2010 survey only 95 whales Visitors observing whale activities (including 42 calves) were sighted and details recorded; in 2011, 148 individuals (including 67 calves) were sighted in the GABMP compared to this year’s sightings of 119 individual southern right whales, (including 55 calves).

The 2012 monitoring results are part of a three-year DEWNR study and will be added to a regional catalogue where- Young local man creating photographic records Whale showing baleen - the feeding filter in the mouth by individual whales can be matched The 2012 southern right whale habitats they rely upon for breeding. to photographs taken of whales at monitoring results coincide with the other locations to understand their State Government’s launch of the The proposed zoning, which will movements. public consultation period for South protect a range of animals and Some interesting sightings this year Australia’s 19 marine parks. ecosystems, including other whale included four white calves and a few breeding hot spots, mangroves, fish pods of curious dolphins. Marine parks with effective zoning breeding sites and important reef have been designed to help to protect ecosystems, can be viewed at www. threatened and endangered species, marineparks.sa.gov.au This year a greater emphasis like the southern right whale, and the was made on training local community members to enable them to take more ownership of the monitoring program in the future.

The GABMP is part of the Alinytjara Wilurara region. It was created in the 1990s to protect breeding southern right whales, Australian sealions and other marine life.

The warm, shallow waters with sandy ocean floor of South Australian areas such as the GABMP are popular with breeding whales because they are protected from harsh weather conditions and sea floor structures such as coral reefs that are potentially dangerous for the young calves. Aerial photograph of whale adults and calves near the Bunda Cliffs at the Head of Bight

ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD Oak Valley Land The course is now nearing its final stage. An average of 10 participants Management have been involved at each session and the enthusiasm is infectious. Joe There is new enthusiasm for land Benshemesh, the consultant to DEWNR management work in Oak Valley. AW who coordinated the Mallee Fowl survey in July, said that he had rarely In late 2011, Maralinga Tjarutja worked with such an enthusiastic and launched its Land Management Plan capable group. Trainees have learnt Kuwarila Tjaatarinyi, outlining its plans to use digital survey tools, including for the huge section of south-west Mallee Fowl tracks Palm Pilots and GPS; have undertaken South Australia that it is responsibe their certification for Safe Handling of for. The area includes a large section of Chemicals, have rejuvenated the Land the Great Victoria Desert, Mamungari Care Office in Oak Valley and begun Conservation Park, Maralinga Village to work toward regaining Driver’s and Section 400. Licenses. Early this year, Maralinga Tjarutja and Supported by Ollanta Lipcer, the Oak Valley Community Council gained Community Programs Manager, funding through Ceduna Indigenous Nathan Williams, DEWNR AW Project Cultural Centre for a pre-Employment Officer in Ceduna, spent two weeks Training Program. The community assisting the course facilitators and selected Dave and Michelle Anderson is keen to play an active role in to run the course, both of whom have supporting future land management long and strong connections with the projects out of Oak Valley. community. DEWNR AW is now working closely In an early planning meeting, AW NRM with Oak Valley community to as it then was, offered to run two support ongoing and purposeful land threatened species surveys during management practices. the course, for the Mallee Fowl and Joe Benshemesh working with the trainees and locals Sandhill Dunnart respectively. We also undertook to identify contract work which could support a level of employment at the end of the course.

Learning about using the Palm Pilot Joe showing how to monitor and record signs of activity of threatened species

www.awnrm.sa.gov.au Welcome to... Sydney grew up on the tribal lands but now resides in Pt Germien. He joined Janet Queama the AW NRM Board last April and has a long association with aboriginal issues and a wealth of understanding about aboriginal employment. He is keen to see aboriginal youths gain experience through involvement in in natural resouce programs. Welcome Sydney.

Nathan Williams Originally from Hermannsburg and more recently living in Yalata, Nathan Welcome to Janet Queama who has Williams is now supporting and recently become a member of the facilitating a range of LandCare and AW NR Board. With experience as a Caring for Country projects in the AW Member of the Maralinga Tjarutja region. Nathan’s connections with the Council, Member of the Oak Valley Yalata and Oak Valley communities Community Council and Member of will be extremely important in the Governing Council, Oak Valley strengthening partnerships and School, her knowledge and experience leading young Anangu interested in is greatly valued. employment in NRM and Caring for Country projects in the region. We Educated in Oak Valley and later at Geoff Axford hope Nathan has a long future in the Yalata Senior School she is a highly Geoff will be joining the AW Natural DEWNR and in SA NRM in general. regarded member of the Oak Valley Resources team as the new Regional Community who has worked hard Manager. Coming to us from the to support the community for a long position of Regional Manager with time. She is particularly well known for SA Arid Lands, Geoff has also worked speaking up for the women and their in a variety of positions that provide children who need support. him with a clear understanding and well informed background relating In her work at Oak Valley School to natural resource management in she offers guidance and acts as a remote South Australia. community liaison person between community/school/staff. Geoff’s wide experience includes working as a Regional Conservator, Helen Donald Sydney Chamberlain Landcare Officer and Manager of Granite Downs Station, which was Our new Communications and later incorporated into the Anangu Executive Officer Helen Donald has Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) also recently come on board. Lands. After this Geoff stayed on at Graite Downs for five years training Helen has had to hit the ground aborignal youths in a range of station running, liaising with and supporting skills. the AW NR Board, managing the Opening of the Ceduna Natural With many of his former associates Resource Centre, reviewing now acting as community leaders in and developing our current the APY Lands it is also fortunate that communications including our website Geoff speaks Pitjantjatjara. and the AW NR Board’s Caring for Welcome Geoff. Country newsletter. Good luck Helen.

ALINYTJARA WILURARA NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT BOARD Farewell to... Aside from his many and varied talents received when she left. as a musician and active aboriginal April has moved from one extreme to advocate Chris proved himself as a Trevor Naismith another and is now in Tasmania in the valuable member to the board and we shadow of Cradle Mountain. Thanks wish him well for the future. April, all the best from the AW team.

Departing Regional Manager Trevor came to the region with an extensive knowledge of the outback from years of working in it. He also has an understanding of Aboriginal ways and Ian Haseldine a strong understanding of working with April Langerak community to look after land. April Langerak came to work with the Ian Haseldine worked as a Buffel Grass project officer with AW for 6 months. He is a mad cyclist and just for fun rode AW and the APY Land Management Group with an anthropological Ian brought a good cheer and spirit from Adelaide to Melbourne during a to the Ceduna office, developed good background and years of experience break from regional activity. He also relationships with Oak Valley and made in other areas but had not really been raised funds for the Smith’s Family in significant progress with Teresa Gurney the 2012 Mt Lofty Challenge. into areas with the raw beauty and in almost eradicating Buffel Grass from isolation of our region. During his time as AW Regional this community. We wish Ian the best Manager, Trevor supported the April worked in an area of the APY of luck in his next pursuit. where the APY Land Management development of many Board programs group identified that the community and the number of activities completed Belinda Berry wanted to work but there were no IPA increased. He was also played a key programs for that area. She was also Belinda moved on from AW in June. role in the increase of relationship instrumental in getting the remote She brought a sense of calm, order building across the region. weather stations up and running in the and friendly service to the role, and Trevor will be missed by the staff and APY Lands. developed fantastic relationships with all Board members. Although Belinda the Board however we recognise The respect of the community for the will be missed by us she hopes to that, as he is now working in the SAAL work and support April undertook was continue to work in the region in a region his link with Geoff Axford, our evident by the fond farewell that she different capacity so we may well still new AW Regional Manager, (formerly see her around. All the best Belinda. from the SAAL), will further improve understanding of our joint programs.

Chris Dodd Chris Dodd was appointed to the board in October 2009. Chris has been a part of the Oak Valley community for many years working in different areas ranging from Operations Manager, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, Project and Field Officer within the Maralinga Tjarutja region.