Acknowledgement of Country for upcoming Geraldton Exhibit

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Original artwork by local artist Wayne Ronan.

“I have lived in this area most of my life and I have never seen this place like I have seen it today with the Ronan family.”

This was the reflection of NACC Aboriginal Program Coordinator Bianca McNeair, who recently spent a day-out with film maker Ralf Mulks and members of the Ronan family filming an Acknowledgement of Country video on Amangu country (in Geraldton and surrounds).

Bianca interviewed Elder Rob Ronan, cousins Donna Ronan and David Ronan, and young family member Leroy Shiosaki who were all filmed by Ralf at three different locations across Amangu country.

The locations took-in the region’s river, hills and ocean – all important sites for interviewees and their extended family – and all recently highlighted in original artwork (commissioned by NACC) by local artist Wayne Ronan.

Elder Rob Ronan talked about his childhood learning from his Elders. “Anywhere that was new, I would go exploring, just like Leroy is doing now,” he said.

The video will be used to introduce Geraldton residents, school children and visitors to the unique traditional ecological knowledge of local Traditional Owners through an exhibit being developed by NACC and the WA Museum Geraldton.

Ralf, Bianca and Elder Rob Ronan filming at Greenough River.

In the video, the Ronan family stressed the importance of caring for our country – even if just by little things such as taking home your rubbish when out on country, and leaving only your footprints behind.

A Welcome to Country is a very important ceremony conducted in person by Traditional Owners to welcome visitors to their country, and to wish them well while they are on country. A Welcome to Country is different to an Acknowledgement of Country – which can be conducted by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people facilitating an event. Both are important ways to acknowledge, share and respect Aboriginal people, their culture, and country.

Members of the public will have a first chance to attend the “world premiere” of the new video at the forthcoming museum exhibit, which will open to the public on Saturday 7 October. NACC and the WA Museum Geraldton will host a community open day to celebrate the launch.

Leroy Shiosaki in the film spotlight.
Film maker Ralf and Elder Rob Ronan discussing the Aboriginal history of the area.

 

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In 2020-21 I talked about ‘raising the bar’. In 2021-22 we worked on setting the bar on fire. Over the last 12 months, the team at NACC NRM has not stopped.

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The conservation outcomes of ranger teams have expanded through work on several land tenures. Maintaining Heritage sites such as Willi Gulli, Racecourse Paddock and Buller River has long been a priority. During 2021-22, the teams have increasingly focused on threatened species and ecosystems.

To this end, Western Mulga rangers have improved management across 19,000 ha for the conservation of Malleefowl through firebreak and access management. They completed the maintenance of water holes and supported the monitoring of over 90 Malleefowl mounds.

Similarly, the Kwelena Mambakort Aboriginal Corporate ranger team have contributed positively to Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo populations by installing artificial hollows and habitat restoration.

All ranger teams have collected native seed, propagated native plants for restoration, and planted native vegetation in key locations across the NAR. Seed collection provides valuable industry experience and has facilitated the planting of over 100,000 seedlings during the year.   

In September 2021, the NACC NRM team delivered the WA Threatened Species Forum, held in tandem with the National Malleefowl Forum. Given the impact of COVID and the timing of this event, having more than 100 delegates from all over Australia was a significant achievement. The two Forums brought together 12 events over five days and featured 14 local artists, 25 businesses and 36 youth participants.

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This planning work links to existing NACC NRM on-ground projects, including Beyond Reasonable Drought and the Chapman Catchment Collaborative regeneration project.

It was a busy year for events with face-to-face events becoming commonplace again. During 2021-22 we hosted events in Gingin, Moora, Dalwallinu, Cervantes, Jurien Bay, Walkaway, Nabawa, Perenjori, Kalannie and Morawa. We supported events in Karakin, Thundellara, Perenjori, Paynes Find, Wubin, Cataby, Warradarge, Northampton, Yuna, Dalwallinu and Dandaragan.

We also supported on-ground works throughout the region, including at the following locations Yuna, Dalwallinu, Dandaragan, Merkanooka, Goodlands, Kalannie, Bunjil, Yardarino, Canna, Kondut, Latham, Kadathinni, Nabawa, Red Gully, Sandy Gully, Waddy Forrest, Devils Creek, Perenjori, Bowgada, Ellendale, Wandana, Namban, Hill River, Warradarge, Gillingarra, Regans Ford and Moonyanooka.

Our region is vast – slightly larger than Tasmania, which for comparison, is serviced by three separate NRM organisations. Covering the NAR region and its many environmental threats is challenging. We continue to focus on partnerships and collaboration to address this challenge. We know that by working with our community through passionate delivery of collaborative on-ground projects and education, the community will value and actively protect our region’s natural capital.

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While we have said farewell to some, we have welcomed many new faces across all programs, including our Administration team. We have also hosted a school-based trainee from Nagle Catholic College who has been working towards a Certificate II in Conservation and Ecosystem Management. This trial position has been very successful, and we look forward to making this opportunity available again in 2023.

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