The Victorian Rabbit Action Network (VRAN) hosted a Cultural Awareness Workshop on 21-22 October 2019 to have a conversation about Culture.
Convened at Ned’s Corner, a Trust for Nature Property located in the Mallee, the VRAN committee and mentors met with Traditional Owners First Peoples of Millewa – Mallee, Parks Victoria, Aboriginal Victoria, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Agricultural Victoria, Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Mildura City Council and friends of VRAN to learn more about Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Victoria.
Thirty guests attended the workshop which included presentations on ‘a landscape without rabbits’, ‘working with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006’ and ‘Landcare and Aboriginal Inclusion’.
A field trip was held on Day 2, which incorporated a Welcome to Country, cultural walk and smoking ceremony hosted by First Peoples of Millewa – Mallee. Parks Victoria also shared their approaches used to protect Aboriginal Ancestral Remains and Trust for Nature showcased how fragile Mallee landscapes can be transformed without rabbits.
By ‘helping people, help the land’, VRAN aims to build expertise and create a strong collaborative culture whereby local communities can successfully manage rabbits through partnerships with Traditional Owners, land managers, government and industry.
Stay tuned for our workshop video, coming soon!
More Information:
- Do you have a question in relation to rabbit management and working in sensitive landscapes? Contact Heidi Kleinert, VRAN Executive Officer, heidi.kleinert@agriculture.vic.gov.au
- Want to know more about Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Information visit http://www.aboriginalvictoria.vic.gov.au
