First Nations care for Bells

TRADITIONAL Owners have carried out traditional land management services at Bells Beach as part of a landmark partnership with Surf Coast Shire Council.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) completed revegetation and erosion management work at the site also known as Djarrak last week, and intend to expand the program to other culturally significant sites in the region.

WTOAC’s Gobata Dja (Caring for Country) team delivered the work, which the organisation said would strengthen its partnership with the council.

WTOAC CEO Liam Murphy celebrated the arrangement this week.

“I am proud of the achievements our Gobata Dja team have made over the last two years; particularly establishing a framework so that Traditional Owners are back on Country, protecting and healing places that have been cared for by Wadawurrung people for tens of thousands of years.

“We are grateful for the ongoing support of Surf Coast Shire Council and allowing for the opportunity for Wadawurrung Traditional Owners to once again care for Country.”

WTOAC natural resource management manager Chris Fagan said the arrangement was a “massive milestone”.

“[Djarrak/Bells Beach] It is a special place for our Mob and building on an already great relationship with the Surf Coast Shire Council, this allows us to be back out on Dja looking after it, so in return it will then look after us and everyone that enjoys it.”

Shire mayor Liz Pattison said the partnership aimed to ensure long-term protection of the important sites.

“Wadawurrung people have been caring for these lands and waterways and their creatures for tens of thousands of years,” Cr Pattison said.

“It’s so important that sites of cultural and environmental significance like Djarrak are protected for generations to come.

“Engaging Gobata Dja to undertake land management work on Country supports Wadawurrung co-management of land and ultimately, self-determination: Traditional Owners managing their Country.”

The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority supported the project through the federal government’s Bellarine and Great Ocean Road Dunecare Coastal Management Grants Program.