Aboriginal Partnerships: Doing things the Right Way

“We need to talk with the Traditional Custodian’s because they’ve been managing Country for a really long time.”

Three of our awesome Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff - Bruce Hammond, Tiahni Adamson and John Pender - yarn about our partnerships, and this year's NAIDOC theme - 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'.

After an incredible 18-year journey, working closely with Warddeken Land Management to help protect Country our formal partnership has come to an end. 

The first women-only Birriliburu Ranger trip, supported by Bush Heritage and Desert Support Services staff, helps to keep Martu knowledge strong.

After spending time in my happy place, I no longer feel separated from nature – this ‘other me’ that modern life builds up dissolves. I go back to being one with Country.

In October last year, I visited Quebec, Canada for the fourth Global Congress of the International Land Conservation Network (ILCN) to share my experiences and learn from others. In support of the theme ‘Relationships for a resilient world’, First Nations, culturally led conservation was at the forefront of the agenda. 

Deepening our commitment and understanding of culturally led land management on Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

When Ross Mitchell, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Manager at Bush Heritage, first set foot on Nil Desperandum on Budjiti Country he knew immediately how significant it would be if the Traditional Custodians could return to this Country and work with Bush Heritage to restore the land.

DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, and national conservation not-for-profit Bush Heritage Australia yesterday launched a shared plan to guide landscape management across nearly 3,000 hectares of Bush Heritage-managed reserves in north-west Victoria.

We’re building a secure digital place for biocultural knowledge to be stored and used.

We gratefully acknowledge Djaara (the Dja Dja Wurrung people), the Traditional Custodians of Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) in central Victoria, for over 14 years of partnership.

When Bruce Hammond first laid eyes on the Breakaways at Evelyn Downs, he saw an opportunity to support the protection of one of the most significant parcels of Country for Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara and Yankunytjatjara people. 

Conservation Futures is a collaboration across sectors and organisations towards the concept of an ‘Integrated Knowledge System’, where knowledge of Country and landscapes can be securely stored.

Guided by Dja Dja Wurrung cultural tour guides, Bush Heritage deepened our understanding of Djandak’s history, present and future. Find out more.

In our partnership with Mimal Land Management, we reflect on outcomes from the past and plan for the future.