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Coastal Custodians 1

COASTAL CUSTODIANS

Volume 3, Issue 1 August/September 2006

It really does give me a great deal of joy to

introduce you to Margaret Carriage. It took me a

while to convince Aunty Marg to let me

interview her, but it has turned out to be a most

rewarding and valuable experience. I hope you

enjoy the journey as much as I have.

Introducing Margaret Carriage

I was born Margaret Cathrine Connell 22nd

January 1943 at Crown Street Women’s Hospital

Sydney. Born to Ursula Rose Connell nee

Brown-Dixon and Ernest John Richard Connell.

Dad was born at Narooma on the 11th

May 1917

to Katherine (Granny Kate) Connell, born 1893,

and they lived in the Narooma to Moruya area

until he left home at the age of thirteen when he

moved to Sydney. He went to Newstead School

at South Heads for a while. He was an only child

but had many cousins. He got a job in the

Chinese market gardens with an old Chinaman

named Charley. He must have worked with him

a long time cause that’s where he learned to be a

good gardener.

Granny Kate’s father was Martin Connell born

18th

May 1857 and died 29th

November 1926.

Martin’s mother was Catherine Fitzpatrick nee

Killeen (1816-1878). His father was Michael

O’Connell of County Clare in Ireland born 1800.

He was tried on the 27th

of July 1830 for

abduction in County Clare and convicted and

sentenced to transportation for life. He arrived in

NSW on the 5th

of November 1831 on board the

transport ship ‘Jane’. He was assigned to Francis

Flanagan at Broulee. A conditional pardon was

granted on the 31st of December 1847. He died

on the 18th

of June 1863 at Broulee. Michael

O’Connell’s parents were John O’Connell and

Ellen Moore of County Clare in Ireland.

Granny Kate’s brothers and sisters were, Richard

Michael, Martin (Jnr), Thomas Joseph who

married Melba (nee) Allen and later Mildred

(nee) O’Cass, Bridget Ann who married John

Marcellul, Mary E, James Martin (Uncle Jim)

who married Marguerite May Brown (Aunty

May), Philomena Agnes who married Arthur

Lye, Amelia Maude (Dad called her Milda) who

married Darcy Lonnigan and Leo Patrick (Uncle

Leo). As a very small child I knew Uncle Jim,

Uncle Leo and Aunty Phyllis who I think was

Philomena. Aunty May lived to be seventy-two,

being Mum’s sister/first cousin she visited for

my Mum’s sixtieth birthday in 1980. Aunty May

passed away on the 3rd

of November 1985.

Ursula Rose and Ernest John Richard Connell Continued page 3


Inside this Issue

Page

Introducing Margaret Carriage

1, 3,4, 5, 6 & 7

Inside this Issue - Letters to the Editor

2

Media Release Eurobodalla Shire Council

7 & 8

Mimosa Rocks National Park review of the Plan of Management

8 & 9

Muuji – Regional Centre for Social and Emotional Wellbeing

9

Eurobodalla NAIDOC Awards 2006 10 - 11

Aboriginal Female Cadet Ranger Open Day

12

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander War Veterans Broulee Primary School News Learning more about Threatened Species Clean Energy for Eternity – Public meeting Marrambul Mali Meeting 2006 NSW Aboriginal Men’s Sharing and Learning Circle

13

14

15

16 & 17

18

19

Calendar of Events & Subscription form

20

DISCLAIMER

Information provided in the Coastal Custodian is

not necessarily the views of the Department of

Environment & Conservation (NPWS). DEC

takes no responsibility for errors or omissions of

fact based on information provided by third

parties.

Letters to the Editor

Dear Trisha,

Congratulations to all concerned with the Hand

back and it’s celebrations. What a fantastic day!

It obviously took a lot of organisation to

coordinate the agreement on the lease and then

the big day with Gulaga Mountain as a witness.

Way to go!

I thought that you and your readers could be

interested to hear of the lesser-known importance

of September 11, 2006. It’s not only the 5th

anniversary since the planes crashed into Twin

Towers. It was also the 100 year anniversary

since Gandhi commenced his non-violent

mission, which has influenced countless others

in passive resistance.

On September 11 1906, more than 3000 Indians,

both Hindu and Muslim gathered to voice their

outrage to the proposal of a law that intended to

reduce Indians and Chinese to a semi-criminal

status. A Muslim, Seth Haj Habib, suggested to

Gandhi the spiritual dimension to the plan of

passive resistance.

Over 3000 people standing with upraised hands

took the oath, “with God as a witness”, not to

submit to the Ordinance if it became law.

After 8 years of non-violent struggle, a new

relationship developed between Indians and

white people in South Africa and a new method

of struggling against violence.

Reference: Derek MITCHELL and Professor

Michael NAGLER from The Non-Violent Peace

Force.

Professor EMERITUS from Peace and Conflict

Studies, University of California, Berkley.

Yours Sincerely

Sam May 30/09/06


Introducing Margaret Carriage Continued:

Granny Kate’s mother, Margaret Connell nee

Piety was born on the 7th

of October 1869 at

Mynora, Moruya. She died in Bega in 1921. She

was the daughter of Richard (Dick) Piety born 1st

November 1844 at Mullenderee, Moruya and

died 24th

September 1918 at Newstead, Moruya.

Her mother was Catherine (Kate) Sutton born

15th

October 1847 at Kiora, Moruya, died 24th

April 1898 Moruya. Catherine was the daughter

of John Sutton and Lelitia. Dick was named after

his father Richard Piety who was born in 1814 in

Kent England. He arrived in NSW on the 8th

of

April 1843 aboard the ‘Henry Porcher’. He was

tried for stealing a watch. Convicted and

sentenced to 14 years transportation. Assigned to

Francis Flanagan at Broulee. He died on the 5th

of July 1867 at Buckenboura, NSW from a

‘Visitation from God’ (natural causes). He was

buried at Glenduart, Moruya. He was married by

common law to Dick’s mother, Jane Sissy

Namble a local Aboriginal woman. Jane was

born in 1823 at Broulee and died on the 10th

of

August 1896 at Narooma.

Thomas Patrick and Myrtle Rose Brown

Mum (Ursula Rose Connell) was born at

Bowraville on the 10th

of September 1920 to

Margaret Jane Dixon born 1896 at Currawan and

died in Kempsey in 1924. Mum’s father was said

to be Swedish, and we are still researching this

side of the family. Mum had a younger sister

Malvena Timbery. Their mother died at age 28

from a heart attack. Aunty Malley was taken by

her father back to Sydney. Mum was legally

adopted by her mother’s sister, Myrtle Rose

Brown nee Dixon (Granny Brown) and her

husband Thomas Patrick Brown. Thomas

Brown’s father was Patrick Browne and his

mother was Elizabeth Marshall born at Broulee

in 1859. Patrick and Elizabeth were married at

Broulee on the 3rd

of August 1878. Mum’s

family lived on a farm near Eungai Creek and

Yarahapany Mountain.

William, May, Thelma and Adelaide Brown

Mum had a happy childhood as part of a large

family, she loved riding horses and this saved

her several times from being one of the stolen

generations. Granny Brown would keep an eye

out for strange cars and when she saw one she

would send the kids into the bush to hide from

the welfare authorities. Mums adopted sisters

and brothers (first cousins) were Walter,

Elizabeth (Betty), Thomas Patrick died 18th

November 1980, Marguerite May born 1913 and

died 3rd

November 1985, Adelaide Myrtle,

Kathleen Grace, Thelma Josephine, William

Henry George and Edna Joyce.

Margaret Jane and Myrtle Roses’ brothers and

sisters were Annie, James, Jessie and Thomas.


All are recorded as being born at Currawong

(Currawan Creek Aboriginal Reserve) and

baptised Church of England at Moruya on the

25th

of January 1903. Their father’s name was

John Dixon, born at Coolangatta on the 11th

of

March 1864 and their mother was Margaret

Brown. Margaret Brown’s father was Thomas

Golden Goulding Brown born at the Clyde River

in 1838 and died at Currawan on the 4th

of

February 1909. He married Annie Hannah

Nicholson at the Church of England Braidwood

on the 13th

of September 1858. Annie was born

at Kiora in 1844 and died at Tomakin on the 19th

of October 1883. Thomas Browns parents were

Jane Brown born 1817 near Braidwood and died

6th

of December 1908 at Bateman’s Bay and

Patrick Brown. Annie Nicholson’s parents were

Charles Nicholson, born United Kingdom and

Catherine an Aboriginal woman. They were

married at Moruya in 1835.

The Currawan Creek Aboriginal Reserve on the

Clyde River, near Shallow Crossing was in the

Parish of Currawan; County of St. Vincent with

an area of 60 acres was gazetted as AR 17546/7

on 15/4/1893 and marked as revoked on

9/5/1956. John Dixon’s father was William

Took Dixon born at Coolangatta in 1837 and

died at Coolangatta on the 5th

of June 1866.

John’s mother was Mary Ann Lyons born at

Shoalhaven in 1834 and died in Nowra on the 1st

of July 1920. William and Mary were married at

Coolangatta on the 27th

of July 1858. Mary

Lyons parents were William and Bridget Lyons.

When Dad met Mum she already had a child

Patricia (Patsy) Jean (Brown) born 1st October

1939 at Crown Street Hospital in Sydney.

Patsy’s father was Amos Donovan born at

Kempsey on the 31st of October 1923 and died in

August 1957 also at Kempsey. Amos’s mother

was Elizabeth Jane Chapman born 1891 at

Turlinjah. Elizabeth’s parents were James

Chapman born 20th

July 1866 at Mynora and

Rosa Bolloway born 1873 at Turlinjah. Rosa’s

father was Richard Bolloway born at Brou Lake

in 1831 and died at Moruya on the 17th

of

January 1886. Rosa’s mother was Louisa

Burrows born at Cullendulla in 1845 and died at

Batemans Bay on the 20th

of November 1924.

Her father was William Burrows. James’s father

was Henry Chapman II born 1847 who was the

son of Henry Chapman who died in 1853 and

Sally Gundary born 1826. James’s mother was

Lucy Ann Piety born 1846. Lucy and Richard

married at Broulee on the 26th

of May 1866.

Lucy’s parents were Richard Piety of Kent in

England and Jane (Jenny) (Sissy) Namble of

Broulee born 1823 and died 10th

of August 1896.

One of Jane’s parents was Nimebur (Tribal).

Amos’s father was Stephen Vincent Donovan

born 1885 at Nambucca River. Stephen’s parents

were William Donovan born 1855 and Bridget

Catherine Marshall born 1863. William had a

sister Charlotte born 1856. Their parents were

Timothy Donovan whose birthplace was Ireland

and Mary Ann an Aboriginal woman known to

be from Broulee by the name of Bulgan.

Lucy Ann Piety and Richard (Dick) Piety were

brother and sister. Therefore Dad and Amos

Donovan were related.

Mum and Dad met in Sydney. Dad was in the

Army and worked at an army supply depot

somewhere in Sydney during the Second World

War. He then got a job at the CSR sugar factory.

They were married in September in 1941. He

legally adopted Patsy. I was born two years after

they were married. Our brother John Ernest was

the next to be born on the 13th

of July 1945, next

came Peter James (Bandy) 5th

of April 1947. It

was around this time that the family visited

Granny Kate, Dad’s mother, at Campbelltown,

where she lived in an old shack in the bush. All I

remember was this really tall woman in a brown

dress. We went there specifically to show her

baby Bandy. Terry Francis was born 1st April

1948. We lived in Evans St Rozelle, Aunty

Thelma Brown lived in Storey Street and Aunty

Betty and Uncle George Kemp and his brother

Ted Kemp lived in Storey Street as well, near the

railway shunting yards. At age 5 the family

moved to Port Kembla. Fay Rose was born on

the 17th

August 1950 and Veronica Mary

(Bonnie) was born on the 6th

of May 1952, both

at Wollongong Hospital.

Neither Mum nor Dad had any formal schooling

for any great length of time due to racism. They

were both illiterate but taught themselves to read

from comics in the daily telegraph. They were

very intelligent people and soon learned to read

and write. They realised that their children

needed to be educated to get anywhere in life

and made sure that we attended school.

Dad’s favourite pastime was to read


encyclopaedias.

In the Christmas of 1953, (I turned 11 just after)

we were living in Port Kembla. The family came

down to Moruya for a visit to see where Dad

came from. We travelled down from Port

Kembla in the back of Peter Brierley’s truck; his

wife Beryl was pregnant with their first child.

We stayed at Garland Town, Moruya with Dads

cousin, Roy Davis. After a short time living at

Garland Town, the family found work, picking

peas at Vic Macintosh’s farm, Moruya South

Heads. Dad knew Mr Macintosh from when they

were young boys. This was our first introduction

to the pea paddocks. We liked the area so much

that we stayed. Dad left a perfectly good job in

Port Kembla; he worked on the sanitary line and

garbage run. The air was so much healthier down

here. Our health improved away from the

pollution of the smoke stacks.

We then relocated to Nerrigundah, living in a

barn and working at ‘Thistle wood’ farm owned

by Commander Smith. When the bean season

came to an end, the other families went home to

Wreck Bay, South Nowra etc all around the

place, but we stayed and Dad got contracts

cutting sacoline, pulling corn, stripping

wattlebark at Reedy Creek and Keorbers Farm

which is about two miles up Eurobodalla Road

from the Dairy farm at Bodalla. We worked

cutting fence posts and building fences, Dad

would lay his hand to anything and we would

help after school. We fixed up an old house on

Commander Smith’s other farm at Reedy Creek

and lived there until about 1957. We all (except

for Patsy, who was older) went to Bodalla

School each day on old Mr Lavett’s mail bus. I

almost cut my finger off whilst piling up the

sacoline stalks on Richard’s dairy farm. That was

the best childhood living there. We had a

swimming hole just down the road. We learnt to

shoot and trap and do all other chores.

Patsy married John Ellis on the 15th

of February

1957 at a Registry Office, and they lived at

Croydon Park with his parents.

From the Nerrigundah area, the family moved to

Black Hill, on the north side of Coila Lake. We

used to swim in Coila Creek and jump off the

bridge. Brother John used to catch beakies

(Garfish) in the creek. The family would also

catch prawns in Coila Lake. I used to go fishing

off the whale rock at Bingie with Dad and we

would collect abalone. We lived here in an old

house that Dad ‘fixed up’, and worked at

Coopers Island picking seasonal vegetables. Dad

also trapped rabbits, selling the meat to the

butchers and the pelts to the leather tannery in

Hawdon Street Moruya, which is where we also

sold the wattlebark. The family lived here for

two years, before moving to Coopers Island

where they continued to work.

Patsy and John Ellis’s children are Patricia Ann,

Gladys Jean, Kerry Dianne, Shirley Ruth, Waine

Robert (Donovan), Margaret Joyce, John

Leonard, Gary Douglas. Patsy passed away on

the 10th

September 2002.

Mum with Patsy’s daughter Kerry

I married Peter Carriage in 1962, our children

are Peter John born 8th

September 1962 and

Cheryl Anne born 26th

September 1963. We

separated after five years. Our family worked in

the Moruya area picking for Vic Macintosh, Ted

Hunt, Brian Loutitt, Jimmy Turner and Ken

McKay.

In 1970 I began living with David Nye and

moved to Mogo in 1978, the day Dad passed

away. I read in a book that ‘Mogo’ means ‘stone


axe’. Our children are Anthonette Margaret

(Dolly) Nye born 3rd

August 1971, Nadina (Nar)

Mary Nye born 10th

July 1972 and Davina

Cathrine (Kizzy) Nye born 22nd

January 1976.

I’m blessed with six grandchildren; Peter and

Lisa Krupa have Zac Andrew born 16th

September 1991, Cheryl and Douglas Carriage

have Stephen John Ernest born 17th

March 1982.

Cheryl married Brett Cullen and they have Adam

David born 31st May 1984, Brad Wayne David

born 31st October 1996 and Shennyn Rose born

June 24th

1998.

Kizzy had Riyan Andrew on the 3rd

of August

1993 at Moruya Hospital. Adam and Sarah

Cullen nee Bickley have given me a great

grandchild, Zac Tyler born 1st April 2005.

David Nye & Margaret Carriage

John married Rhonda Stewart; their children are

Anna Maree, Audra Margaret and Dannielle.

Bandy married Lillian Rose Nye, their children

are Richard Andrew, Rodney James, Anthony

Lee and James Peter. Both Anthony and James

were drowned at Kiora on January 16th

1981 at

ages 5 and 4. Bandy passed away on the 6th

February 1994.

Terry married Maureen Davis; their children are

Ursula Amelia, Craig Francis and Paul. They got

divorced and Terry married Elizabeth Anne

Dallas born 4th

April 1957. Their children are

Simon, Selina and Jae-anne.

Fay’s children are Malvena Rose, Walter James

and Michael. Then she married Keith Verrent;

their children are Julianne, Bobby Joe and David

Leigh. Fay passed away on the 24th

November

2005.

Bonnie married George Edward (Joe) Ralph,

their children are Jody Francis, Michelle Sandra,

Christopher Lee and Dale Andrew.

Margaret Carriage, Terry Connell and Ursula Rose

Connell (seated) at Terry and Liz’s wedding.

Living in Mogo, the family often swam in the

Buckenbowra River, at ‘The waterhole’. The

Buckenbowra flows into the Clyde River. Other

places used regularly by our family include the

Deua River, Shelly Beach, Dolphin Beach,

Bingie, Meringo, Potato Point, Coila Creek,

Broulee, Tomakin and Barlings Beach. I also

went to Yellow Rock, Broulee and to Tomakin

with David to lookout for fish.

In 1971, six of Ursula Rose Connell’s seven

children had a baby in the same year. The day

after five of the babies were christened, the

family gathered for a picnic at Broulee. We were

all fishing and the tide came in and cut the island

off from the mainland. My niece Shirley and

daughter Cheryl were meant to wait to be carried

through the gap. Dad was on his way to get

them, when they got washed out into Shark Bay.


My sister in law, Lillian was washed out trying

to rescue them. That is when mum fainted. There

were babies everywhere. Brother Terry and Rod

Bowman both swam out to the girls, Rod taught

Cheryl to float, but they weren’t strong enough

swimmers to tow them back in against the tide.

They were pulled further out. We were totally

unaware of what happened till Trisha came

running over and said the kids are in the water

(meaning they had been washed out). David

dropped his diving bag, kicked off his flippers

and ran. He dived in and cut across the bay. He

took the girls off Terry and Rod who were

exhausted and started making for the shore with

them. He realised that Shirley wasn’t breathing

so gave her mouth-to-mouth while Cheryl

floated. He had to do this about three times. By

the time he got back to the shore he had to help

Terry and Rod onto the beach. Shirley had to be

sent to Canberra hospital by helicopter for a few

days. Rod, Terry and Lillian were also

hospitalised with exhaustion. I don’t think we

had lunch that day. Next day Cheryl was running

around like nothing had happened.

Pictured from left to right: Davina, Anthonette,

Nadina, Cheryl, Brett, Peter and Mr Cullen. Stephen

is in the middle.

Our family has always stuck together. Nieces

and nephews are like our sons and daughters,

and all the cousins are like brothers and sisters,

the ones who marry into our family have always

been treated as family as well.

The Connell family has a tradition of gathering

monthly, for a family picnic day. Each time we

would draw the name of a place out of a hat, and

go there the following month. We went to places

like Shelley Beach, Broulee, Nelligen and

Nerrigundah. If we went to Nerrigundah we

would camp for a few days. We also camped up

the Deua at Christmas time.

Connell’s Point is now called Mossy Point and

was named after my father’s family.

Mum met with her sister Malvena after nearly

fifty-five years, only to lose her to cancer on

May 17th

1988.

David and I had been together for over thirty-

three years. He developed diabetes, which

caused renal failure, and he passed away on the

8th

of January 2004.

We had the most wonderful childhood, loving

family and parents. My sisters and brothers are

still very good friends and their children as well.

Media Release Eurobodalla Shire Council

‘Stories about the Eurobodalla

by Aboriginal People’

The second stage of a major study of the

Eurobodalla’s Aboriginal heritage has been

released.

“Stories about the Eurobodalla by Aboriginal

People” was launched at Cobowra Local

Aboriginal Land Council last month. The

booklet is a collection of Aboriginal people’s

oral histories about places of cultural value

within the Eurobodalla Shire. Many of the places

documented relate to natural resource collection,

camping sites, seasonal picking, fishing and the

local saw mill industry.

Aboriginal elders with connections to the area

welcomed the opportunity to participate in the

project, which was coordinated by Moruya-based

anthropologist, Susan Donaldson, working

closely with the Knowledge Holders and

Aboriginal families.


Chairperson of Cobowra Local Aboriginal Lands

Council, Trisha Ellis, says that the completion of

“Stories…” is just the beginning of the journey

of documenting the Aboriginal history of the

Eurobodalla and recognising the significant

contribution that Aboriginal families have made

to the growth of this area. “It has been a long

time coming and Sue has done a magnificent

job.” Ms Ellis added that while a large number

of Aboriginal families contributed to this report,

unfortunately some were missed and to counter

this, funding will be sought to regularly update

and add to this study. “Stories about the

Eurobodalla by Aboriginal People” was

completed with support and funding from the

Eurobodalla Aboriginal Heritage Committee,

Eurobodalla Shire Council, Department of

Environment and Conservation, and the Southern

Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

The Eurobodalla Aboriginal Heritage Committee

has also been responsible for

producing three other important resources: the

‘Aboriginal Sites and History of the

Eurobodalla’ study; the ‘Aboriginal

Communities Environmental Services Booklet

2006’; and the ‘Aboriginal Heritage in the

Eurobodalla’ brochure.

The brochures are being distributed to enhance

awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal

cultural heritage in the Eurobodalla Shire.

Importantly, they also provide land developers

with a reference for Development Application

processes involving Aboriginal cultural heritage.

The brochures and booklets are available free of

charge at local libraries, Aboriginal Land

Councils and can be viewed on Council’s

website:

http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/AboriginalHeritageSt

udy/aboriginalHeritage.html

Stage 3 of the Eurobodalla Aboriginal Heritage

Study will soon be under way. This component

entails the amalgamation of the archival research

(Stage1) and the oral history collation (Stage 2).

Further research and ultimately the ability to

incorporate information in the Council planning

processes is to be conducted and is a Stage 4

outcome of the project.

Media contact: Ph 4474 1375

Ron Nye, Aboriginal Heritage Officer

Mimosa Rocks

National Park

review of the

Plan of Management.

Many of you would know the section of

coastline from the Bega River north to Goalen

Head, and the country going back to Dr George

Mountain, all land that is now within the

Mimosa Rocks National Park.

A plan that guides the management of most of

this land was prepared in the early 1990s, and we

feel it is now time to review and update it.

The park is very popular both with local

residents and visitors to the area, so much of the

management effort over recent years has

focussed on providing for their needs while

protecting the land from the impacts of a lot of

people. This focus will continue and we will be

looking for management solutions that protect

natural and cultural values while still enabling

people to use and relate to the park.

Some of the issues that we want to address in the

review of the management plan are:

• what values are important in this landscape,

and how should they best be protected,

including how we can better protect items of

importance to Aboriginal people

• how people can get where they want to go

(the access system of roads, carparks,

stairways and walking tracks)

• what facilities for day and overnight use

should be provided (picnic and camping

areas)

• how we control non-native plants and

animals in the park

• how can we better protect some rare birds

and animals that live in the park

• how some recent additions at Goalen Head

should be managed

• directions for Aboriginal camping


• opportunities for a joint management

approach with Aboriginal communities

• the future management of the Penders and

Nelsons leased areas

The review of the plan will take place over the

next few months. During this time, there will be

an opportunity for public input during an open

day and community meetings. When the new

plan has been written, it will be put on public

exhibition for people to read and comment on.

We will then look at all the comments from the

public and from organisations, and decide

whether more changes need to be made to the

plan. When we are satisfied, it will go to the

Minister for Environment Bob Debus for

endorsement. The revised plan will then guide

how we manage the park into the next ten years.

Think about and discuss the issues among

yourselves. You can talk to the planner writing

the plan by ringing Sam Rando on 44760859.

Keep an eye out for when draft plan is put out

for comment, take the time to read it, and talk to

us or people on the advisory committee and tell

us your thoughts.

Preston Cope

Central Area Manager

Narooma

Muuji Regional Centre for Social and

Emotional Wellbeing

Muuji Regional Centre for Social and Emotional

Wellbeing (SEWB) was established in 2000 as a

result of the (Bring Them Home report).

Muuji is one of a network of regional training

centre’s that have been established across

Australia to promote good practice with a focus

on developing, delivering & coordinating

innovating activity including training and

professional development. Strengthening the

networks of the SEWB workforce is fundamental

to effective delivery of services to the

community.

Muuji Goal: Build and continually reinforce a

culture of learning and community support, the

strategic objective of the Muuji partnership is a

skilled workforce responding to the needs of

Aboriginal peoples and communities in the three

areas in which the health services operate in

NSW and ACT.

Muuji Aims to

• Identify, broker, coordinate and evaluate

professional development and supports,

including training for the social emotional &

wellbeing workforce.

• Strengthen networks of health workers and

service providers.

• Develop and strengthen linkages and

partnerships with other agencies and training

service providers.

• Remain responsive to community needs.

• Develop information systems that identify

the level of social emotional and wellbeing in

the region.

Muuji is part of a consortium of 3 Aboriginal

Community Controlled Health and Medical

Services.

1. Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health

Service (Canberra)

2. Riverina Medical and Dental Aboriginal

Corporation Service (Wagga Wagga)

3. Katungul Aboriginal Corporation and

Community Medical Service (Narooma)

I have been in this position for 6 years, and I am

based in Katungul Narooma.

Annette Millbank

Aboriginal Project Officer

Muuji Regional Centre

Narooma

02 4476 2155

E-Mail: [email protected]


EUROBODALLA NAIDOC

Awards 2006

The 2006 Eurobodalla NAIDOC Awards which

were held at the Moruya Golf Club on 12 August

were hailed a success and a good time was had

by all. The function included a variety of awards

aimed at recognising the achievements of

individuals, groups and organisations within the

Eurobodalla Shire. The theme for the event was

respect the past, believe in the future and the

wide cross section of invited guests and people

in attendance certainly portrayed this. Local

Elder Aunty Beryl Brierley provided a heart

warming welcome to country and officially

opened the NAIDOC awards and was followed

by an inspiring performance from young Jordan

Duroux on the didgeridoo and the local

Googannyarla dancers, Alinta Parsons, Kristi

Brunhuber and Natasha Brunhuber.

Aunty Beryl Brierley and Aunty Simm Nye

A number of nominations were received for each

category with the following people being

selected:

Male Youth Ron (RJ) Nye Junior)

Female Youth Naomi Reynolds

Male Sportsperson Charles Nye

Female Sportsperson Bree Moreton

Employee of the Year Norman Parsons

CoordinatorCobowra

LALC

Trainee of the Year Kristy Nye

Achievement Award Debbie Moreton

Narrama Multi Services

Award for service to the community

Norman Parsons Organisation Award Cobowra CDEP

Jordon Duroux played the didge

Individual community awards were presented to

the following people:

Male Elder B.Bay Tom Slockee

Female Elder Mogo Aunty Sym Nye

Female Elder Moruya Linda Cruse

Female Elder Bodalla Hazel Moreton

Female Role Model Moruya Ursula Brown

Female Role Model Bodalla Mary Mongta

Male Role Model B.Bay Robert (Bobby)

Slockee

Male Role Model Moruya Rhys Holmes

Lana Callaghan and Norman Parsons

The major award for the evening was the 2006

NAIDOC Award for Excellence and the

selection panel agreed unanimously that the

recipients of this award should be the members

of the Negotiation Panel for the Gulaga-

Biamanga Hand Back, Trish Ellis who

coordinated the process, accepted the award on

behalf of the Negotiation Panel which was made


up of; Violet Parsons, Donna Brennan (Dec)

(Batemans Bay), Mary Duroux , Dave Tout

(Moruya), Lionel Mongta, John Mumbler

(Bodalla), Vivienne Mason, Keith Stewart

(Narooma), Pam Flanders, Anne Thomas

(Wallaga) Kathy Jones, John Dixon (Bega),

Mervyn Penrith, BJ Cruse (Eden). Glenys Kelly,

Noeline Leha and Davis Dixon representing the

Wagonga, Merrimans and Bega LALC’s.

Margaret Morris, Lindsey Parsons and Norma Parsons

Cobowra CDEP, Indigenous Employment

Centre (IEC) and New Careers for Aboriginal

People (NCAP) Programmes also took

advantage of an opportunity to showcase some

of the achievements of CDEP Participants during

the 2005/06 period and presented a variety of

awards which included;

Rena and Pam Flanders

Encouragement Award - Lindsay Brierley

who has moved into fulltime employment

IEC Male Client – Damien Reginato who after

a lot of perseverance will finally achieve his goal

of joining the NSW Police Service

IEC Female Client – Linda McCarron –

who’s praises from her employer included

Linda’s reputation for the sour dough that she

makes on site at Suzanne’s Coffee Shop in Mogo

NCAP Male Client – Ricky Roberts – who

moved from a part time CDEP Placement into

fulltime work with Narrama Multi Services and

continues to work with elders within the

Eurobodalla Shire

NCAP Female Client – Kristy Nye – who

moved into a traineeship with Narrama Multi

Services and eagerly participates in any training

that will enhance her career prospects

CDEP Employee/Participant of the Year –

Martin Wighton – who made the move from

Batemans Bay to Sydney to take up a fulltime

job and from all reports is doing well and

enjoying the big smoke.

Rose Haigh and Cheryl Moreton

Event organisers Norman Parsons, Christine Lee,

Angela Nye, Pat Russell and Lana Callaghan all

agree that, although organising an event this size

is time consuming, that it was all-worthwhile and

they are looking forward to next year’s awards.

They would like to thank the following sponsors

who made the night possible; Queanbeyan ICC,

Cobowra LALC, Batemans Bay LALC, Mogo

LALC, South Eastern Aboriginal Regional

Management Services (SEARMS), Cobowra

CDEP, Department of Aboriginal Affairs and

Department of Environment & Conservation.

Lillian Connell, Tony and Ursula Brown


Aboriginal Female Cadet Ranger

Open Day

PURPOSE: Position will soon be advertised for an Aboriginal

Female Cadet Ranger with the National Parks and Wildlife

Service, based at Narooma. The open day has been organised to

allow Aboriginal applicants to attend and find out what the

positions are about and how to apply.

WHO: Any young people who are in Year 12 (this

year) or any mature age person (over 21) and are

interested in becoming a Ranger.

WHERE: TBA.

DATE: 15th

November, 2006

TIME: TBA.

Morning Tea and a light lunch will be provided.

RSVP: Please contact Gary Ting on 02 9585 6823 or email

[email protected] if you are interested in

attending.

Please spread the word of this open day to

community members that meet the criteria.


Aboriginal

& Torres Strait Islander

War Veterans

I recently joined the Department of Veterans'

Affairs (DVA) as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Veterans policy/liaison officer and have

been given the task of implementing a number of

recommendations of DVAs’ 2006 Indigenous

Veterans Strategy. Some of these

recommendations are to compile a list of

Indigenous veterans from around the country and

then ensure that those veterans are aware of

DVAs’ support services and financial and health

benefits.

This project is not going to be any easy feat

given that our people were not permitted to join

the forces during WW 1 & 2 (this ruling was

eased up during WW 2 due to shortage of

manpower) and many used a loophole to get

around this ruling by enlisting under the alias of

another culture, Maori, Indian, etc. Because there

was no requirement to identify their culture at

time of recruitment, all war and campaign lists

do not identify Indigenous serviceman and

women.

My dilemma is coming up with a strategy to

identify our elder veterans from WW2 through to

the Vietnam conflict. In due course I'll use the

media (print, radio, TV) and brochures etc. but

as an interim solution thought network contacts

might be a good way to start off the process. The

intent of the project is to identify as many

Indigenous veterans as possible and then ensure

that they are receiving their entitled financial and

health benefits from DVA or other support

agencies.

There will be number of barriers along the way.

Our elder veterans were treated abysmally when

they returned from active service and basically

told to go back to where they come from and

don't bother to seek any help from the

government. I understand there will be a big

reluctance from a number of our veterans to have

any association with government bodies because

of these past events.

Through your extensive network and contacts,

could you possibly get a message out to our elder

veterans, their dependants and families that DVA

is looking to make contact with them to ensure

that they are aware of and, where an entitlement

exists, payment of DVA financial and health

benefits. Could you let them know that they can

either ring me on (02) 6289 6205 to have yarn or

133 254 (Australia wide) to be put in contact

with their nearest DVA State Office, or free call

1800 555 254 for country callers, which also

connects to the nearest DVA State Office or they

can contact their nearest Indigenous coordination

Centre. If they ring the DVA numbers they

should ask to be put through to the Indigenous

Service Delivery Officer who will provide them

with all the assistance they need.

The Indigenous vets list will have a twofold

effect. It will provide a comprehensive list of

known veterans (living or deceased) and it will

also ensure that those veterans get the

recognition that they deserve for the service and

sacrifice they made in defence of their country.

Any suggestions of how I can get a wider

circulation of this message out to the vets will be

very much appreciated. I need to go out to the

mob in VIC, SA, WA, NT and TAS - do you

have any connections in these states/territory.

Thanks for your help!

Regards,

Robert (Bob) Noble

Policy Officer

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Veterans

Income Support and Residential Aged Care

Department of Veterans' Affairs

CANBERRA ACT

email [email protected]

Phone: (02) 6289 6205

Fax: (02) 6289 4854

Footnote:

Bob Noble – This is not Bob’s birth name. He

was adopted out and given this name by his

white adoptive parents. He was born John

Gallaher and his mother and grandfather are

from up Cherbourg and Cooran, Qld way. He is

related to the Stewarts.


Broulee Primary School

News

Kids Earth Fund Project At Broulee Primary

School

Class - 2/3B students were among 360 NSW

schoolchildren who painted pictures of threatened

plant and animal species.

The project titled Our Habitat Through Children's

Eyes, was aimed at educating people about the

fragility of nature.

The project was run by the Kids Earth Fund, which

believes children can broaden their understanding of

the world – and feel freer to express themselves –

through the medium of art. The result is a strong

ecological message through the unique vision of

children.

We had special guests visit our class in preparation

for the project. They included Bernadette Davis

from the Eurobodalla Shire Council who talked

about Threatened species in the local area and what

we can do as a community to help to protect them.

Bernadette also talked to us about her experiences

while travelling through Peru in her youth. This was

most interesting as we wanted to study Peru so we

would know a bit about where our paintings were

going to.

Another visitor to our class was Mr David Costello

from the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Merimbula Office. David also talked to us

about threatened species and brought in some

wonderful examples. He showed us a powerpoint

presentation of the programs operating in the local

area for the recovery of these animals, we listened to

a CD of animal calls and he supplied us with posters,

bookmarks and stickers etc for the celebration of

National Threatened Species Day on the 7th

September.

Another visitor was Mr Jeff Ward, the Principal of

our school who is a trained Visual Arts teacher. Mr

Ward gave us painting tips and advised us how to go

about painting our pictures which were actually

painted on real canvasses. We also studied different

artists, looking at their styles and use of colour. We

were so excited about being involved in this project

and wanted to make sure we did a good job.

There was a panel of judges, which included artist

Jennifer Keeler-Milne. The artworks included

paintings of Phascogales, Koalas, Southern Right

Whales, Australian Fur Seals, Grey Headed Flying

Foxes, Barking Owls, Pygmy Possums, Bandicoots,

Spotted Quolls and more.

The judges selected 100 paintings to be sewn into a

mural that will travel to Peru next year. But before

the mural goes to Peru next year it will first travel to

the schools which participated so the students can see

the final product.

The children had to research the animal they chose to

paint and write some interesting information to go

with it. These pieces of information will be translated

into Spanish and go with the mural to Peru so the

children there can learn about our Threatened

Species.

The latest news from the Kids Earth Fund is that the

mural is now being sewn together and 2/3B were

lucky enough to have 15 of their paintings chosen to

be a part of it. They are also making a calendar for

2007 and we have had 3 paintings chosen for it. We

believe they are also printing cards and using some of

the paintings on those.

So, all of us in 2/3B are pretty proud of our efforts

and would just like to thank Mr Ward, Bernadette

Davis, David Costello and Trish Ellis who helped us

along the way.

Kerry Boyenga 2/3B Teacher

The Little Tern by Abbie Harrison

The Grey Headed Flying Fox by Samantha Law


Learning more about

Threatened Species

The Department of Environment and Conservation is

organising to meet with local Koori people to share

thoughts on how we can best learn about and care for

two threatened species surviving in our region, the

Koala and the Long-nosed Potoroo.

The main focus of this initiative will be a workshop

that will seek to inform, listen to and document the

views of local Kooris about these animals.

The workshop will take place at Umbarra on Monday

4th December, starting at 9:30 am.

Lyn Thomas and Chris Allen are organising the

workshop. Their contact information is at the end of

this article.

Lyn said that Aboriginal elders had told her that

women with close links with Gulaga had a special

role in caring for potoroos and their environment,

including looking after plants that they fed on.

“Before Europeans came there used to be lots of

potoroos on Gulaga and we know they still surviving

there”, she said.

“We want to record Aboriginal stories about potoroos

and do what we can to bring their numbers back.

Now that Gulaga Mountain has been handed back to

Aboriginal people it will be easier for us to do this.”

Chris said that consultation with the Koori community about koalas was important for two reasons. “The first is that koalas are known to be breeding in and near to the Biamanga and Gulaga National Parks. Because of this, the Board of Management for these parks, together with the wider Koori community, has a vital role to play in looking after these populations.”

“Secondly, the Koala is culturally important for some South Coast Aboriginal communities. According to documented creation stories it was responsible for bringing the spirit ancestors from islands in the north west to Australia. It also appears to be a significant ancestor in terms of its role as a wise elder and philosopher.”

For further information please contact: Chris Allen or Lyn Thomas 64955008

KOORI PEOPLE

ARE WARMLY INVITED TO A

WORKSHOP ABOUT TWO

THREATENED SPECIES

Listening informing & recording

information from local Kooris

Koala

Long-nosed Potoroo

Where Umburra

When Monday 4th December

Time 9:30 am – 3:30 pm

Lunch Barbeque provided

DO COME ALONG: WE WOULD LOVE

TO SEE YOU THERE For further information contact

Lyn Thomas and/or Chris Allen 64955008

THREATENED

SPECIES

RECOVERY

PROJECT

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION

PO BOX 656 MERIMBULA 2548


Letters to the Editor - continued


MARRAMBUL MALI MEETING

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Forum

This FREE forum is coming to your area on:

DATE: Tuesday 14th

November 2006

VENUE: SERTEC, 163 Auckland Street, Bega

DATE: Wednesday 15th

November 2006

VENUE: Motel Luhana, 182 Princes Highway, Moruya

Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea will be provided

DO YOU HAVE QUESTION’S ??

The do it right project is a government partnership initiative run

By Our People for Our People

These Governments Departments include:

Work Cover Authority NSW

Office of Fair Trading

Australian Tax Office

NSW Anti-Discrimination

Legal Aid Commission

Other invited guests Banking & Financial Services Ombudsman, Telecommunication Industry Ombudsman

The do it right project will answer your questions and provide information about

your rights and responsibilities as Workers, Business owners and operators,

Community organizations and other interested persons.

For further information please call: Brad Anderson or

Kristy Narkle on (02) 4254 3433


2006 NSW

Aboriginal Men’s Sharing and

Learning Circle

The Central Coast & Western Sydney Aboriginal Men’s Groups will host the 2006 NSW

Aboriginal Men’s sharing and learning circle at Camp Wollombi during November 26-29,

2006.

Aboriginal men from throughout NSW are invited to attend and participate in this vitally

important event that will consider many of the issues and challenges confronting today’s

Aboriginal societies.

Key issues and challenges will include: Building Healthier Aboriginal

Communities; Co-responsibility, Sharing the load with Aboriginal women;

Aboriginal men and the Justice System, Responding to Aboriginal Men’s

Health and Wellbeing needs; Listening to the Voices of the Elders and Youth,

and Domestic and Family Violence and Abuse.

The organisers of the sharing and learning circle wish to stress that the event will be drug

and alcohol free and the intention is that it will be more than a talk – fest. Rather the

sharing and learning circle is structured to allow Aboriginal men to honestly and openly

identify the issues and challenges existing in Aboriginal communities but more

importantly, to discuss how these issues and challenges can be better addressed.

A major feature of the sharing and learning circle will involve a panel discussion by

Indigenous men from Canada, New Zealand and the USA. Members of the panel will share

experiences and knowledge of the journey of Indigenous men in their respective countries

and communities.

Due to the nature of the venue the sharing and learning circle is limited to 150 delegates

(camping accommodation). Aboriginal men and/or organisations wishing to receive

detailed information and who would like to discuss registration and other related matters

should contact:

Mr Mick Pittman, ([email protected])

Mr. Keith Hall, 0423-792451 ([email protected])

Mr. Clarke Scott, 0413-005324 ([email protected])

Dr Bob Morgan (Facilitator), 0418-419326 ([email protected])


Calendar of Events

November

Monday 13th

Clean Energy for

Eternity Public

Meeting Moruya

Tuesday 14th

Marrambul Mali

Meeting Bega

Wednesday 15th

Marrambul Mali

Meeting Moruya

Wednesday 15th

Aboriginal Female

Cadet Ranger Open

Day

December

Monday 4th

Threatened Species

Workshop Umbarra

26th

– 29th

2006 NSW Aboriginal

Men’s Sharing and

Learning Circle

Subscription details

Please fill in the following details to

receive your copy of future quarterly

newsletters and forward them to:

Trisha Ellis

Joint Management Coordinator

Parks Service Division

Department of Environment &

Conservation

PO Box 282 Narooma NSW 2546

Telephone: 02 44760846

Facsimile: 02 44761793

Mobile: 04 28660432

Email: [email protected]

Name: ___________________________

Address:

_________________________________

_________________________________

_________________________________

Postcode: _________ State: _________

Telephone:______________________

Facsimile:_______________________

Mobile:_________________________

Note: Photocopies of back issues available on

request or visit the website on:

www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/conte

nt/coastal_custodian_newsletter

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