South Coast NRM Assets
Cultural Heritage
The Noongar relationship with the land is embedded in the Dreaming philosophy, where the earth was created through a complex relationship between the land, the people and the animals.
The South Coast Strategy for NRM acknowledges the significance of Noongar involvement in NRM and involvement of the Indigenous community in related work has been one of our major achievements. This has resulted in significant amounts of on ground restoration and preservation work being undertaken at sites of cultural and natural significance for positive social outcomes.
This year’s highlights and achievements include:
South Coast NRM Inc. – Restoring Connections
Activities under this project are chosen and driven by Indigenous groups, by linking Elders to youth, and by recognising traditional connection to country and knowledge of NRM.
Rehabilitation work on the Gnowangerup (Alymore) Springs area was completed.
Restorative and revegetation work was undertaken at The Meeting Place, Nowanup, in collaboration with the Gondwana Link Group.
Restoration work and overall site assessment was conducted at Kybra Engravings.
Archaeological and ethnographic surveys of Bandy Creek resulted in delivery of on ground, community restoration and rehabilitation of segments of the creek’s banks.
The Restoring Connections project was also a finalist in the Banksia Environmental Foundation’s 2007 Banksia Awards – Caring for Country Category.
Gondwana Link – Caring for Country
Indigenous involvement in managing properties at Nowanup, Yarrabee and Chereninup provided training to a large number of Noongar people.
The official opening of The Meeting Place at Nowanup was attended by the Hon. David Templeman MLA, Minister for the Environment.
Several community awareness raising events were held with a more than 500 participants recorded.
The identification of priority heritage sites was a pilot project to investigate priority heritage sites at risk from degrading environmental processes. This activity resulted in Indigenous communities identifying 24 priority sites under threat.
Cultural awareness and heritage training
Several cultural awareness and heritage training sessions were held in Albany, Ravensthorpe, Jerramungup and Esperance, with South Coast NRM Inc. staff and associated agency staff attending.
Heritage training focused on cultural sites and legislation.
Schools program – North Albany Senior High School Environment Practices
This award-winning project was selected as finalists in the United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Day 2007 Awards. This project is likely to be replicated at Esperance Senior High School.