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Nyambaga Aboriginal Green Team
A 'Green Team' of trained Aboriginal workers is successfully bidding for environmental restoration projects in the Nambucca area of northern New South Wales.
The Nyambaga Goori Green Team is underpinned by a program which trains Aboriginal men and women in Conservation and Land Management at Coffs Harbour Education Campus. These qualifications range from a Certificate Two in Conservation and Land Management to a Certificate Four.
Green Team Facilitator Terrence Hudson said the team and the training courses in Nambucca demonstrate the increasing involvement of Indigenous people in natural resource management.
Funding
The Australian Government has allocated more than $82,000 through the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA) to support the Green Team since it began operation four years ago. The venture is also supported by the State Government and Nambucca Valley Landcare.
Activities
The team is currently made up of 12 Aboriginal men and women ranging in age from 18 to 60.
"Our contracts cover projects like working on sensitive Aboriginal sites with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, to helping landholders with river restoration projects including building engineering structures, replanting riverbanks and controlling weeds," said Terrence.
One example is the development of a wetland park for Nambucca Shire Council on a disused block of land.
"Work involved building a boardwalk through wetland," said Terrence, "But first we had to get rid of the rubbish. Weeds were an enormous problem and it took us nearly 12 months to control them.
"As well as the boardwalk, we built tables and signage showing why the local Aboriginal people, the Gumbaynggirr, frequent the area and what Indigenous food sources were found there. These give people a better understanding of what life was like before Europeans arrived two centuries ago."
Achievements
"The Green Team has successfully undertaken many projects in the region and this has had a flow-on effect to the communities," said Terrence. "Elders are proud their young people are gaining recognition and the young people are passing on their knowledge of current land management practices to their communities.
"Interest in the training courses is expanding and we've had more than 33 students complete courses in the past four years.
"Graduates who don't join the Green Team have gained employment throughout the region ranging from field work to office work."
The success of the students and of the Green Team, has been reflected in awards ranging from Trainee of the Year and Indigenous Student of the Year, to the National Indigenous Landcare Award and reaching the finals in the Rivercare Awards.
More Information
- Terrence Hudson, Nyambaga Aboriginal Green Team Facilitator: (02) 6568 2008 or terrence.ngurrala@bigpond.com
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