Photo: Jagera Daran

Catching Up
NEWSLETTER JULY 2013
INTRODUCTION
Hi, my name is Vanessa Hounsell, Traditional Owner & Indigenous Engagement Support Officer for SEQ Catchments. Welcome to the April 2013 Aboriginal natural resource management newsletter. The stories and news that will be compiled in these newsletters will vary, but will mainly be focussed on some of the current and future natural resource management activities for the South East Queensland region. This newsletter aims to update and share information with all Traditional Owners and Indigenous people involved or interested in natural resource management in this region. I hope you enjoy this edition. Feedback is encouraged and very welcome.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HEALTHY WATERWAYS AWARDS WINNERS

The Healthy Waterways Awards aim to raise the awareness of waterway health issues, recognise those making a difference and inspire others to take action. SEQ Catchments is a proud sponsor of the Healthy Waterways Awards, and we congratulate the following winners: Waterways Mentor Award - Darren Burns, Indigenous Engagement Indigenous Award - Caring for Country on the Maroochy River. Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Corporation

WORLD INDIGENOUS NETWORK CONFERENCE

Darwin Convention Centre recently hosted the inaugural World Indigenous Network Conference, attracting over 1300 delegates representing hundreds of first nation peoples from 50 countries. The six-day event focused on managing natural environments the traditional and modern way, with Professor James Anaya, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the keynote speaker. Many delegates from South East Queensland attended the conference. For more information visit: www.worldindigenousnetwork.net

PROMOTING TRADITIONAL OWNER FIRE PRACTICES

Last month, 90 people gathered at the Beerwah Community Hall to attend a Linking Traditional Owner and Western Fire Management Fire Practices forum. The forum acknowledged Traditional Owners as active land managers, promoted lessons learnt from Traditional Owner fire projects and provided an opportunity for much needed discussion around how such projects might be encouraged and supported locally for better fire management and conservation outcomes. The forum was organised by the South East Queensland (SEQ) Fire and Biodiversity Consortium and hosted by Sunshine Coast Regional Council. The Master of Ceremonies, David Calland (Indigenous Engagement, Department of Natural Resources and Mines) facilitated the day, which included a number of inspiring speakers. The terrific line-up included: Maurice Mickelo (Bunya Mountains Murri Rangers Program) and David Calland who spoke about their award winning project aimed at reconnecting fire, culture and country in the Bunya Mountains. Oliver Costello (Nature Conservation Council, NSW), who runs the Firesticks project aimed at applying contemporary and Aboriginal fire practices to enhance biodiversity and landscape resilience in northern NSW. Andrew Houley (Reef Catchments) who spoke about developing fire management guidelines in Gulf Savannah Indigenous lands Bernie Trembath (Queensland Fire and Rescue Service), who provided a brief history of fire use by Traditional Owners and Europeans John Locke (Biocultural Consulting) who provided an introduction to brokering successful traditional and contemporary indigenous cultural partnerships Fergus Adrian (Queensland Fire and Rescue Service) who provided an update on predicted fire weather We were really thrilled with the support and interest we received for the forum. Our speakers provided positive examples of fire projects managed and run by Traditional Owners with substantial outcomes that benefit the environment and empower the community, said Dr Samantha Lloyd, Manager of the SEQ Fire and Biodiversity Consortium We look forward to continuing our relationship with local and regional Traditional Owner groups. For more information on the SEQ Fire and Biodiversity Consortium please visit: www.fireandbiodiversity.org.au
SEQ Catchments Office - Brisbane
LEVEL 2, 183 NORTH QUAY, Brisbane 4000 Ph: 3211 4404 Fax: 3211 4405

Vanessa Hounsell
Traditional Owner & Indigenous Engagement Support Officer E : vhounsell@seqcatchments.com.au M: 0437 645 127 www.seqcatchments.com.au