Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) Annual Report 2017-2018 About this Report This Annual Report documents how the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) performed on behalf of its members during the 2017-2018 year. GUNAIKURNAI LAND AND WATERS ABORIGINAL CORPORATION GippsAudit Pty Ltd – Trading as DMG Audit & Advisory has independently audited the Forestec, 27 Scriveners Road financial report and concludes that it presents fairly, in all material aspects, the financial Kalimna West, Victoria, 3909 position of GLaWAC as at 30 June 2018. Ph: 03 5152 5100 Fax: 03 5152 1666 [email protected] For further information on the 2017-2018 Annual Report, contact GLaWAC on www.gunaikurnai.org 03 5152 5100 or [email protected] 2 Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) Table of Contents THE GUNAIKURNAI ______________________________________________________________________________________________ 4 CHAIR’S FOREWORD ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 5 GLAWAC - AT A GLANCE _______________________________________________________________________________________ 6 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S MESSAGE _____________________________________________________________________ 8 ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2017-2018 _____________________________________________________________________________ 9 Our Community ______________________________________________________________________________________ 9 Our Culture ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 9 Our Country __________________________________________________________________________________________ 10 Our Organisation ____________________________________________________________________________________ 11 Our Economy _________________________________________________________________________________________ 11 ABOUT US ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12 Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) ____________________________ 12 Corporate Vision _____________________________________________________________________________________ 12 Our Values ____________________________________________________________________________________________ 12 Purpose and Function _______________________________________________________________________________ 12 OUR PEOPLE ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13 The Elders Council ___________________________________________________________________________________ 13 Board of Directors ___________________________________________________________________________________ 14 Staff ____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15 Membership _________________________________________________________________________________________ 16 DIRECTOR’S REPORT __________________________________________________________________________________________ 17 SNAPSHOT OF GLAWAC’S FINANCIAL STATUS _____________________________________________________________ 18 GUNAIKURNAI LAND AND WATERS ABORIGINAL CORPORATION AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENT - FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2018 _______________________________________________________________________ 19 Annual Report 2017-2018 3 The Gunaikurnai “We are the Gunaikurnai, the First People of our THERE ARE FIVE CLANS THAT MAKE UP THE GUNAIKURNAI Country. The future we seek is one where Gunaikurnai COMMUNITY1: stands proud and strong, where our people have strong connections to their culture and Country, • The Brabralung people of Central Gippsland where our business and relationships are based on solid foundations, and where we are self-sufficient and • The Brayakaulung people highly respected. In our future, our mob is united – the around the current site five clans of Gunaikurnai working together to support of Sale each other. • The Brataualung people in South Gippsland We are recognized as Traditional Owners over approximately 1.33 million hectares in Gippsland, including • The Tatungalung people near Lakes Entrance on 200 metres of off-shore sea territory. the coast Our country spans from Warragul in the west to the • The Krautungalung people near the Snowy River! Snowy River in the east, and from the Great Divide in 1GLaWAC respects that interpretation the north to the coast in the south.” and spelling of these names varies. 4 Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) Chair’s Foreword As Chairperson, I am delighted to present the Gunaikurnai Land • Our country – the right to use, manage and control our and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) Annual Report for resources; respect as Traditional Owners of our Country; 2017-2018. healthy country Over the past year, the Board and staff of GLaWAC have • Our organisation – the right to use, manage and control our continued to work hard to strengthen the organisation and resources advocate for our members to ensure that your aspirations are • Our economy – economic independence. realised. We work for you and are committed to our members. The Economic Development Strategy provides certainty on At the heart of our work is our vision that the Gunaikurnai actions over the next five years to progress our economic and community is proud of the way that we represent and include business development future. We will be seeking input from the mob in achieving broad respect for our culture, for the our members, and your ideas and support will be crucial to protection and healing of our land, and to gain genuine making sure we create sustainable economic opportunities for economic independence. our members. Over the year, we have endeavoured to bring our clans and Another highlight is the continuing work on the Joint communities together to seek your input to inform and share our Management Plan. When released, this document will be the work activities, so they align with the aspirations of GLaWAC’s first ever Joint Management Plan in Victoria. The partnership membership base. We held two community days attended between the GLaWAC, on behalf of the Gunaikurnai people, by over 60 members and Elders, and believe these days are and the Victorian Government to jointly manage ten parks and important for us to yarn and learn together. We have plans in resources in Gippsland represents an exciting way to manage place to run more of these gatherings next year. Wurruk (country) and acknowledge the important past, present One of our key achievements for 2017-2018 was the and future cultural and natural values. development of the GLaWAC Corporate Plan 2017-2022 and On behalf of the Board, I thank our CEO Roger Fenwick and the the GLaWAC Economic Development Strategy 2017-2022. staff at GLaWAC for their outstanding efforts over the year. I Both documents were developed in response to the goals also acknowledge the highly valued and ongoing support of our and aspirations of the Gunaikurnai people, as outlined in the Elders and members. Gunaikurnai Whole-of-Country Plan released in 2015. Our priorities in 2018-2019 will be: The Whole of Country Plan outlines our long-term goals and aspirations for a strong and prosperous future for Gunaikurnai • Supporting and engaging our members people: what do we want to achieve over a 15 – 20 year • Reviewing our Settlement Agreement to seek improvements time frame; what legacy will we be leaving our children and grandchildren; how will our Country be managed in the future. It • Protecting and building on Native Title rights is the guiding document for GLaWAC and tells our story. • Delivering our contracted works The Corporate Plan was developed by the new Board and • Celebrating and practicing culture through events on country CEO in July/August 2017 to provide strategic direction to the organisation over the next five years. The Board identified five • Securing partnerships with other Aboriginal Organisations themes that represent the broad areas of focus that we will prioritise over the coming five years: • Growing Gunaikurnai employment and leadership skills at GLaWAC • Our community – a strong, happy, healthy mob • Securing our Cultural and Business Governance. • Our culture – protecting and practicing our culture; a strong focus on learning BRIAN STEVENS Chair, GLaWAC Annual Report 2017-2018 5 GLaWAC - At a Glance Our response to the OUR ORGANISATION Whole of Country Plan OUR COUNTRY $13.4 million held in trust with The Gunaikurnai people $4.44 income generated going towards are recognised as the 1.33 MILLION community support initiatives Traditional Owners of over ANNUAL BUDGET and operations 1.33 million hectares of MILLION land (including 200 metres of offshore sea territory) ITY O UN UR M CU M L 39 employees O TU C g P R 72% of employees are of Aboriginal in rid heritage R ar e E U C ng Sh AUSTRALIA cti ar 77% of staff are male, and 23% O e P in VICTORIA nn ips re g are female o sh se C er rv n ati rt o a n P Our country spans from 46,000 S HECTARES OUR COMMUNITY e Warragul in the west to the l s O f Y s - D Snowy River in the east, and e U n e i M y from the Great Divide in the C t s t h e i o R t u r north to the coast in the south O n n m B Aboriginal Title over 10 w H u n l C l o t i e e N areas of land spanning n r r a c a a O o G t around 46,000 hectares m l ti O p S o p U n C O E N T R R U Y O Clarity BRABRALUNG BRAYAKAULUNG BRATAUALUNG TATUNGALUNG KRAUATUNGALUNG Happy Staff G ood Governance