Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation

 WINNER

The Winangkirri Aboriginal Corporation was established in 2006, since this time they have become activitely involved in holding cultural camps to both Aboriginal and non – Aboriginal youth. Whilst the focus of the camps was the teaching and documentation of langauage they have incoproated a range of cultural activties including hunting and cooking of traditonal foods, site identification and recording, basket weaving, painting and traditonal indigenous games

Forbes Aboriginal Environmental Group

RUNNER UP

This group was established by  the Lachlan CMA in 2005 and now play an important role in promoting Aboriginal culture and heritage around the Forbes region.

The group stage the annual carp competition which attracts over 500 youth and adults, hold a tour and talk for 50 people during Forbes Heritage Week festival that has sold out for the past 2 years and are finalising plans for development of the Wiradjuri Dreaming Information Centre on Lake Forbes.

Forbes North Primary School

WINNER

Forbes North have been teaching Wiradjuri language for the past 5 year to students from K1 to Year 6. The Aboriginal tutors have dedicated thier time to improve thier skills to ensure that our younger generation are aware of the impantance of promoting Wiradjuri langauage.

The School has know developed a choir and have performed at opening ceremonies throughout Forbes.

Young High School

RUNNER UP

Young High have constructed a Wiradjuri Biodiversity garden in the centre of the schools quadangle. The aim of the project was to transform a neglected weed infested area of the school into a aesthetically pleasing learning place.

The design includes a Kangaroo shaped grassed area, setting and boarder in the colours of the Aboriginal flag and several murals of cultural significance.

Kalare Dance Group

WINNER

Kalare Dance group is made up of numerous Aboriginal youth from the Condobolin community. The group uses dancing as a way to engage and education communities on Aboriginal Cultural Heritage.  Through thier interactive performance the Kalare Dance Group have inspired the wider community to get more engaged in the Aboriginal culture.

Amanda Wright

RUNNER UP

Since moving to Forbes in 2008, Amanda has shown great leadership at Forbes High and has been elected as the Aboriginal representative on the SRC.

She mentors and helps the younger students and has a keen interest in furthering her education.

Mr Neil Mattiske

WINNER

Neil is a local Forbes farmer who during the past 2 years has been engaged by the Lachlan Aboriginal NRM Group to assist with the NRM & Cultural Heritage Canoe tours along the Lachlan River. During this period of time, Neil has allow for camping to accure on his property and has also provided valuable input into land management demostrations and discussion with participants on water management technique, sustainable farming and fostering partnerships.

Mr Craig Burns

RUNNER

Craig property “Yeronga” is located at Quandialla and is used as a  sand mining business. During June 2006, he discovered remains whilst sand mining that then create an exciting partnership with the Young Aboriginal Community.

He attritute toward the repatriation process was highly professional and remorseful toward the local Aboriginal people and has since represented the community as a spokeperson for Cultural Heritage Repatriation on private lands

Young Local Aboriginal Land Council

WINNER

Young Local Aboriginal Land Council in 2006 developed a partnership with Mr Craig Burns a Sand miner from Quadialla From that point they have been instructmental in identifying and locating remains from oversea and throughout Australia.

Through a partnership with the Autsralian Museum, Young LALC are currently preparing to have remains brought back to Young and repatriate back to country.

West Wyalong High School

RUNNER UP

West Wyalong High School developed a DVD that outlined the life of local West Wyalong Aboriginal community members, including thier stories, thier struggles and Aboriginal facing everyday life.

The DVD is benefical to community due to it personalisation and truth surrounding Aboriginal people and thier stuggles. It is hoped to be used as an educational tool that will open the eyes and mines of the wider community

Nari Nari Tribal Council

WINNER

Nari Nari has partnered with various agencies in the past to achieve positive outcome for projects based in the region.

In 2008 NNTC became involved with the Kalyarr Interpretive walking trail project at Norwood Conseravtion Park location near Oxley.
The main objective of the project was to provide some interesting panels for tourism visiting Kalyarr National Park.

This project partners with DECC, NPWS, Lachlan CMA, Hay LALC & the Aboriginal community group.

Dept. Of School Education

RUNNER UP

The Department of School Education – Forbes region has been instrumental in engaging Aboriginal community members into teacher training courses, school activities and promotion of cultural heritage to students and teachers throughout the Forbes region.

The combination of public and private schools also assits in breakin down socio-economic barriers between students.

Uncle Robert King

WINNER

Robert King is a proud Ngiyampaa  man who is best decribe by the group he is not committed to. Rob is very actively involved in the Lake Cargelligo/Murrum Bridge region on several committee supporting Aboriginal processes and protocol. He work tirelessly on protection of Aboriginal sites around his area and was a part of the Lake Brewster Aboriginal Steering committee.

Aunty Lois Goolagong

RUNNER UP

Lois is a proud Wiradjuri women with strong family ties to the Condobolin area. She was inspirational with her leadership in the Memerandum of Understanding that was developed between the Murie Aboriginal Group, Rural Lands Protection Board, Lachlan Shire Council and the Lachlan CMA for the Murie Aboriginal site

Cecil & Eugene Coe

WINNER

Cecil & Eugene have been employee of the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation for the past 3 years. During this time they have been responsibility for the joint establishment of the Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation Nursey. They are also responsible for the operation of the city to soil groundswell project which is a trial for the collection and processing of greenwaste to achiev e a commercial composting product.

Norma O’Hara

RUNNER UP

Norma has been actively involved in the organising of the Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation cultural camps. She overseas the preperation, implementation and cleaning for each camp.

Norma is very community focus and assisted Winangakirri in getting where it is today.

Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation Limited

WINNER

Wiradjuri Condobolin Corporation was established 2004 and now employs upto 50 full time Aboriginal people. They have a wide range of enterprises including greenwaste management, furniture shop and are currently building the Wiradjuri Adult Education Learning Centre which is being built through using all environment friendly products.

The centre will become the home of cultural learning for Wiradjuri people throughout the Lachlan catchment in the future.

West Wyalong Local Aboriginal Land Council

RUNNER UP

West Wyalong Local Aboriginal Land Council during the past 2 years have become leaders in Aboriginal community work. They work closely with West Wyalong Shire Council, Schools, Lake Cowal Conseravtion Centre and other community agencies to  provide Aboriginal cultural & heritage advice, support. They also worked closely with West Wyalong High School with developing thier DVD.

Steve Meredith

WINNER

During the past 2 years Steve has actively been involved in the NRM and Cultural Heritage throughout the Lachlan catchment. He was an important member of the Lake Brewster Aboriginal Steering Committee that developed the Cultural Heritage Plan of Management for all on ground work during the $12 million State Water Efficiency project.  He also provided major input and developed all financial submission for Winangakirri Aboriginal Corporation land acquisition, is a board member on the Historical Mt Grenfell Aboriginal Board of Management, is a Board member on the Yathong Nature Reserve Steering Committee.

During Steve spare time he wanders the country side providing assist and supports the Aboriginal communities on Aboriginal cultural & heritage. His commitment to the lower Lachlan is shown through the work he has undertaking in the following communities Hay, Griffith, Hillston, Lake Cargelligo, Ivanhoe, Yathong Nature Reserve, Mt Hope.