ABORIGINAL organisations from across the North Coast gathered at Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre to share knowledge, celebrate progress and strengthen partnerships through the Visions for Healthy Country project.
The forum brought together Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Traditional Owner groups, industry representatives and project partners to discuss Aboriginal-led land management and environmental stewardship.
Funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust, the Visions for Healthy Country project is delivered by North Coast Local Land Services as part of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel.
North Coast Local Land Services Senior Land Services Officer Andy Vinter said the gathering demonstrated the strength of Aboriginal-led approaches to caring for Country.
“The forum provided a valuable opportunity for Aboriginal organisations to share knowledge, learn from one another and strengthen partnerships that support healthy Country outcomes across the North Coast,” Mr Vinter said.
“It was particularly encouraging to see the strong interest in cultural fire management and the willingness of organisations and partners to work together to support greater implementation of these practices on Country.”
The event marked the halfway point of the project and gave participants the opportunity to review achievements, exchange ideas and identify priorities for the next phase of delivery.
Representatives shared updates on a wide range of on-Country activities, including weed management, cultural fire management, threatened species conservation, training initiatives and community engagement programs.
Cultural fire management was a key focus of the discussions, with participants recognising both its cultural significance and the practical challenges involved in expanding the practice across project sites.
The forum also explored ways Aboriginal organisations and industry partners can continue working together to build skills, strengthen capacity and improve environmental outcomes across the region.
The Visions for Healthy Country project supports Aboriginal organisations to deliver practical on-Country activities that improve environmental outcomes while strengthening cultural knowledge, skills and community connections.
The forum reinforced the importance of collaboration to ensure a healthy Country for future generations while supporting Aboriginal leadership in land management across the North Coast.
By Sis HIGGINS
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