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General News

8 October, 2024

DJAARA’s cultural work awarded

DJAARA is the Victorian winner of the Telstra Best of Business Awards in the Indigenous Excellence category and will go on to represent Victoria on a national stage.

By Maryborough Advertiser

DJAARA’s cultural work awarded - feature photo

The recognition comes as DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DDWCAC), turns 20.

Reflecting on the achievements of the past two decades, Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter pointed to the enormous growth since the corporation began in 2004 with two staff and 75 members.

“We are now one of Central Victoria’s large and growing employers, with around 200 staff and more than 550 members,” he said.

“As the representative body for Dja Dja Wurrung People — the Traditional Owners of central Victoria — DJAARA’s focus is on the health and wellbeing of Dja Dja Wurrung People, Country and Culture.

“We aim for Dja Dja Wurrung People to be empowered with an established place in society and able to manage our own affairs from a strong and diverse economic base.

“The corporation’s commitment to good governance, solid business practices and future planning, has enabled it to sustain rapid growth. We have been able to diversify, to take a wholistic approach towards self-determination.

“We are shifting the dial — not only for Dja Dja Wurrung People, but also for other Traditional Owners across Victoria and Australia.

“As well, we are creating a range of benefits for the wider community in central Victoria — through economic stimulus, sharing our Culture, and improvements to the natural and built environment.”

The corporation has contributed to numerous projects and activities locally, including the implementation of the garingilang gatjin wii (water and fire garden) at the Central Goldfields Art Gallery, participation in NAIDOC Week and preservation of the Dja Dja Wurrung birthing tree in Talbot.

In 2013, the DDWCAC became the only Victorian registered Aboriginal Party to enter into a comprehensive Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA) with the state of Victoria.

The RSA recognises Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People) as the Traditional Owners of Dja Dja Wurrung Country in central Victoria, and lays out Djaara’s rights, including our rights to actively manage Country.

It has provided the legislative framework for DJAARA and its enterprises (the Dja Dja Wurrung Group) to partner with government and government agencies in the management of public land.

Through the RSA, the group has developed and is implementing strategies around the management of Country — including on renewable energy, climate, water, forest gardening and traditional burning.

The group is leading more and more work across Country through our philosophy of ngaldurrong yana (walking together).

“When Traditional Owners lead, great things happen,” he said.

“Through our work and our partnerships, Dja Dja Wurrung People and Culture are increasingly visible again on Country.”

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