1 1. INTRODUCTION The Mungabareena Reserve-Wiradjuri Reconciliation Project was undertaken in efforts to rehabilitate and revegetate an area of Riverine floodplain. (Appendix 1) The project area had been utilised by stock (cattle) owners for agistment purposes. The cattle impacted on the area through urine and excrement that entered the waterways in the area, the ground was hardened by continuous movement of cattle and native vegetation regrowth was retarded by cattle eating the plants before they had a chance to become established. (Appendix 2). In order for the area to become rehabilitated a number of issues needed to be examined, discussed and implemented. As there were no money available to undertake the project, it was decided to approach funding bodies in an attempt to secure the appropriate amount of money needed to begin and complete a project of this type. Community concerns needed to be ascertained and the chance to do this came through extensive media coverage which allowed the community to participate in the project through volunteering in a physical manner, or in the provision of materials needed during the life span of the project. A management strategy for the project was developed and a management team put together to implement that strategy. The strategy included fencing the area, revegetation through community participation, the strategic placement of interpretive signage, walking tracks and picnic settings and surveys. In order to be equitable, the management team consisted of equal numbers of female and male persons. A number of organisations and individuals were also approached for assistance and for their endorsement of the project. 2. LOCATION The project area is known as Mungabareena (Wiradjuri for 'place of plenty talk') Reserve. The Reserve is situated in East Albury approximately 5 klms from the main City of Albury. (Appendix 3) The project area is designated Crown Land with Albury City Council as Trustees. The area is zoned as a Public Reserve - Open Space. 3. ENVIRONMENT The project area consists of woodland and wetland areas. The dominant species within the area are Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Acacia dealbata, Callistemon sieberi, Bursaria spinosa, Juncus spp and Phragmites australis. Present in the project area is the rare deep-water turtle, native fish species such as Murray Cod and Yellow Belly and a number of frog species. See also the Appendix related to the bird survey. Introduced species such as Water Couch and Flat Sedge are dominant indicating the degree of disturbance due to grazing. A number of Poplars were planted in the area to commemorate the Albury soldiers who fought in WW1 in France. 4. ETHNOGRAPHY The project area has been utilised for many things, for many different needs and by many different people. The area has been utilised for resources that have and in some instances still does provide for recreation, housing materials, minerals and education, to name a few. The area therefore can and still does show use by Indigenous and non- Indigenous people. 2 4.1 Indigenous The project area is part of Wiradjuri Country (Wesson 2000) and as such was utilised, pre-invasion, by them. The area provided food, shelter, medicines, tools and weapons for the Wiradjuri people. Other Indigenous people utilised the project area as it was also used for the gathering of many different clan groups who were invited on an annual basis, to participate in the events that were held here (AWDC 1982). This cultural event is ongoing. The Wiradjuri culture is still celebrated through song, dance and art. The Ngan-Girra Festival is a continuation of the events that were held in the past where many Indigenous people, not just Wiradjuri, still come from all over the country to participate in the celebrations, renew old friendships, begin new ones, share knowledge and speak of issues that concern them, more often than not, on a daily basis (Tindale 1974; Flood 1983; Gardner 1997; & Albury City Council 2000). 4.1.1Non -Indigenous Albury has a gold mining history (1870's). During the gold mining period, much of the trees in the area were cleared and the timber used for purposes such as fire-wood and building materials. The Hume Dam was built in 1932 that affected not only the ecosystem, but could also be seen as speeding up the process of riverbank erosion. Key non-Indigenous stakeholders and their involvement in the area are: • Albury City Council: Council maintains the Reserve; • Recreational users; Includes fishing, bike riding, swimming, walking, people having BBQ's and school carnivals etc; • Department of Land & Water Conservation: Initiated a program that saw a reduction through removal, of willow trees; and • Maritime Services Board: Control the actual waterway. 5. OBJECTIVES The project had a number of objectives. The objectives were developed after consultation with Wiradjuri Elders, knowledge holders, Wiradjuri community members and the broader community, was undertaken. The objectives gave the project direction and allowed the management team the opportunity to gauge the progress of the project. There were two types of objectives as described below. 5.1 Long Term Objectives a) develop a recreational/cultural/educational resource that will provide informative natural resource and cultural information to the communities of Albury and beyond b) improve the biodiversity of a significant area of the Murray River c) improve the aquatic/instream habitat of a significant wetland area within the Reserve d) improve the water quality entering the Murray River system e) set an example for partnerships between Shire Councils and Indigenous communities for natural resource management f) to provide healthy viable habitat through maintaining and improving remnant vegetation in the Reserve and to use the project as a guide to best management practice for revegetating further Council owned sections of the Reserve 3 5.1.1 Short Term Objectives a) better manage 42 hectares of Reserve land b) to lower phosphate levels by stock exclusion c) re-establish Indigenous vegetation d) implement a monitoring system to determine improvements to the project area over time e) to involve the community in a project of cultural and environmental significance 6. FUNDING The necessary funding came from the Natural Heritage Trust. Funds were granted on the condition that an equal amount, or more than an equal amount, be repaid 'in-kind'. At the time of application it was not foreseen that there would be another area of the Reserve that would become part of the project. The project then, consisted of two, not one Stage and so the funding was eventually joined. Tables 1,2 and 3 outline funding details. Table 1. Stage 1 Funding granted All other funds (in-kind) Total amount $18,490 $29,735 $48,225 Table 2. Stage 2 Funding granted All other funds (in-kind) Total amount $39,000 $66,000 $105,200 Table 3. Total amount Funding granted All other funds (in-kind) Total amount $18,490 $29,735 $48,225 $39,000 $66,000 $105,200 Total Total Total $57,490 $95,735 $153,425 In-kind support goals were reached and at this point in time had exceeded expectations. However as the project was not completed in the correct time, there was an amount of funds left. These residual funds were committed however. This meant that works still needing to be undertaken/completed would be finalised by Albury City Council who will use the remaining funds and Council staff and the management team to achieve completion of the project objectives. 7. THE PROJECT A number of persons and organisations were invited to attend the opening ceremony (Collis 2000). The project was officially opened by the then Mayor of the City of Albury, Mr Les Langford. Council members, members of the Wiradjuri community, 4 an Indigenous Land Management Facilitator (Mr Robert Clegg), staff of the Indigenous Education Centre and representatives of the media attended the ceremony. (Appendix 4) The project was overseen by: Pastor Cec Grant (Wongamar). Senior Wiradjuri Elder, on behalf of the Wiradjuri Council of Elders The project was coordinated and managed by: Yalmambirra…Manager Liza Price…Coordinator Duncan Vennell…Coordinator Jessica Aiken…Coordinator Kate O'Brien…Coordinator 7.1 Interpretation An interpretive sign, provided by the Natural Heritage Trust, was installed at the entrance to Stage 1 of the project area. (Appendix 5) Further signs (10) were installed in strategic places throughout the project area. These signs informed the general public about the project and supplied appropriate contact numbers should community members have questions or wish to volunteer. (Appendix 6) Brochures were printed that also informed the general public regarding the project. These were distributed randomly throughout the Albury/Wodonga districts. The brochures provided space for community to enlist as volunteers or as suppliers of materials. (Appendix 7) 7.1.1 Fencing As the stock was still in the area at the beginning stage of the project, a fence was erected to keep them out. This took place in the area known as Stage 1. The fence was 1.1klms long. It was a cyclone style fence, made of wire with tension posts equally spaced. A gate allowed service vehicles into the area. A smaller entrance permitted entry to the general public, but did not allow the cattle access to the area. 7.1.2 Vandalism and Theft Two days after the fence was erected it was cut. The people responsible had cut the fence at the position where the fence was joined to the star-pickets. This had occurred along one-third of the fencing. The fence was repaired only to see it cut again. This time, those responsible had cut the fence, not only at the star-pickets, but where the fence met the tension posts. The fence was repaired again.