Boyagin Rock Interpretation Project - Update

It's been 6 weeks or so since our last meeting at Boyagin Rock with the Traditional Owners (TOs). An agreement was reached at that meeting for Wheatbelt NRM to undertake an interpretation project to capture the stories to be told by the TOs and to interpret the native flora and fauna which inhabits the area. These stories will be published as a storybook. Additional signage for the picnic area is also proposed to enhance the experience of visitors to the site.

The current situation is that it's all happening! Wheatbelt NRM are currently finalising contract negotiations with an appropriate resource to start things moving. The current schedule is for that resource to focus primarily on this project for the first half of 2015. It's taken a little time but it's important that Wheatbelt NRM secure the best person for the job.

In addition to the interpretation project the Working Group is now looking at resources to provide us with some concept artwork and drawings for the picnic area as it is clear to everyone that some work needs to be done there to make it an attractive picnic area with better toilets and more shade shelters etc. These will only be concept drawings and will be subject to feedback from everyone concerned, including the TOs. Once we get an idea of the types of work we could do there then we can apply some costs to it and look for opportunities for funding.

We will keep everyone informed as we go.

We should take this opportunity to wish everyone a very happy festive season and good health into the New Year.

Boyagin (Boogin) Rock Meeting 17 October 2014 - The Beginning of Something Special

Yesterday saw another meeting of members of the Working Committee and Traditional Land Owners (TOs) at Boogin picnic site situated at the base of this wonderful structure.

Boyagin Rock Western Australia (Boogin)

The purpose of this meeting was to allow Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management (Wheatbelt NRM) staff in Dr Elizabeth Kington to present a proposal for an interpretation project where the TOs and other people who have a connection to the area can tell the stories about the significance of the area to the Noongar Peoples. These stories and information about the natural flora and fauna which inhabit the nature reserve will be published in a storybook available to everyone via electronic links or in hard copy from NRM. NRM have much experience in this area as can be seen from previous projects in the Avon Catchment Area in the Western Australian Wheatbelt. Some examples of previous projects are available here.

Dr Elizabeth Kington - Wheatbelt NRM

The meeting was opened by Working Committee chair Ray Marshall and we were treated to a very moving welcome to country from Aunty Janet Hayden on behalf of all TOs for this area. Elizabeth presented her proposal and much discussion followed. Some of the discussions included TOs stories about the significance of the area and it was clearly evident to everyone that there are many such stories which need to be shared for the benefit of future generations. Other discussions revolved around the need to include young Noongars in the project and to provide sustainable employment opportunities for local Noongar Peoples. It seemed everyone was generally in agreement that the picnic site was in need of some TLC, another aspect of the long term vision of the Working Committee for Boyagin Rock.

Aunty Janet Hayden performing a Welcome to Country

Attendance at the meeting was significant in that there was a fair representation from the Pingelly and Brookton mobs as well as TO families identified throughout the project as the key TOs for this area. TO families represented included the Hayden's Bennell's and Reidy's (Dot Rodney). Faye and Arthur Slater were there representing Brookton as was Michelle Winmar. Uncle Merv Abraham and Jeff Turvey represented Pingelly.

Arthur Slater from Brookton

Gary Bennell and Merv Abraham

Jeff Turvey - Pingelly

Aunty Faye Slater - Brookton

So what happens next?

TOs and representatives from Brookton and Pingelly will report back to various people in their respective communities and identify people who would be most suitable candidates in the story telling process. The groups will also identify young Nonngar people who will be involved in the story telling process. Wheatbelt NRM and the Working Committee will work together through the Project Officer, Vince Holt, to establish a project plan which will include timelines and a list of deliverables for this project.

Funding for the Wheatbelt NRM interpretation project is provided by the Federal Government and other sources supporting Wheatbelt NRM under their Sustainable Communities Program.

For the Boyagin Rock Working Committee, who have been the key drivers for recognition of Boogin and the cultural and spiritual significance of this land, this project signals a major milestone and is testament to the fact that respectful dialogue and determination to work toward common goals can in fact make a difference in our communities.

Please watch this space as we continue our journey.

Justin McAllister - SWALSC

Graham Ellis-Smith - Talking land management issues

Quality photos of this meeting are available HERE.

Presentation to GKB 14 April 2014 - Slides

On 14th April 2014 our Boyagin Rock Executive Committee met with the Gnaala Karla Booja (GKB) Working Committee. A short slide show was used at the meeting to explain what this project is about and why we are keen to progress forward.

The slide show is available by clicking here. I think the slide show is a good summary and is much lighter reading than the Master Plan itself.

Don't forget to study the Master Plan and prepare any comments you have.

In the next couple of weeks we will be meeting again with GKB and I will be attending a forum at UWA entitled "Building Trust: Developing Solidarity on Noongar Booja". This will provide some great personal development and a great opportunity to network.

Boyagin (Boogin) Rock Master Plan now Available

Well, after much time and effort the final version of the Master (Concept) Plan is now ready for distribution and comment. Electronic copies of the plan are available for download.

Download a copy here.

I have included below the foreword which forms part of the plan. We would very much appreciate your comments with regard to the proposal as outlined in the Master Plan.

Please note: The Master Plan is a concept document which identifies many opportunities and issues relating to any redevelopment at Boyagin Rock (Boogin). It is by no means final. A more detailed and final plan will be developed following a period of consultation with all stakeholders and members of the Noongar families. We urge you all to study the plan carefully and ready yourselves for consultations as we move forward. We hope to be meeting again with GKB next week to provide a project update. Copies of the Master Plan will be presented at that meeting.

Foreword

The Working Committee for the Boyagin Rock “Dreamtime Walk Trail” project has much pleasure in tabling this Master (Concept) Plan. In developing this Master Plan much time and effort has gone into identifying key stakeholders and opportunities available to the community as a whole if this project were to go ahead. The committee has faced many challenges and has learned much along the way. It became obvious that there are processes in place which needed to be identified and followed if this project is to succeed. These processes can be quite complex and take some time. We sincerely thank everyone involved to date for their positive input and patience shown as we work our way through these processes.

Boyagin Rock is known to the Noongar Peoples as “Boogin”. With the many and diverse stakeholders involved in this project it is seen as important, for reasons of clarity, that we make reference to the site by its official name of Boyagin Rock. The committee will however respect the Noongar peoples, by referring to the rock as Boogin during verbal discussions.

We would like to acknowledge the valuable input from many sources. Tredwell Management acted as consultants in the compilation process for the plan. Other sources of input include, but are not limited to, S.W.A.L.S.C, Wheatbelt NRM, Department for Park and Wildlife (DPaW), Pingelly Aboriginal Progress Association (PAPA), Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation, Department for Aboriginal Affairs, Gnaala Karla Booja (GKB) and the Department of Sport and Recreation.

Special mention needs to go to Lotterywest who kindly assisted with funding for the development of the Master Plan.

The Committee would also like to acknowledge the effort of the Shire of Pingelly Community Development Officer Vince Holt who is the Project Coordinator.

The Working Committee for this project comprises Ray Marshall (Chairman), John Bostock, Greg Durell (DPaW), Malcolm Jetta and Merv Abraham with Vince Holt as Project Coordinator.

The Committee invites you to read this proposal and encourage and look forward to your opinions during the ongoing consultation process.

Ray Marshall

Chairman

Pingelly Tourism Group.

Boyagin Rock (Boogin) Project Update

It's been a while since I last posted on this blog. Mainly because we have been busy and I have been away on leave.

The current situation with the project is that our consultants in Tredwell Management have, after much effort, compiled a draft verion of our Master (Concept) Plan today. The appointed committee will be reviewing this draft over the next week or so after which we will have a final version of the plan. We can then make the plan available to the public for review and comment as appropriate. Not long to go now then so please bear with us for a short while longer.

On April 14, 2014 the committee met with the Gnaala Karla Booja (GKB) Working Committee to provide them with an update on progress to date and to seek support to continue to further develop the concept of enhancing the experience at Boogin. The result of this meeting was a letter from GKB giving us direction as to how and who we should talk to in our on-going consultation process and approval in principle to continue forward. We will continue to keep GKB informed and I will be providing them with a consultation plan soon. This is a key milestone in the project and we very much appreciate the time afforded by the GKB Working Committee. Thanks also to Justine McAllister from SWALSC and to DPAW and our committee members for taking the time to meet with GKB.

The draft Master Plan identifies many opportunities and I think it will make very interesting reading. The plan has been constructed in such a way as to provide a number of options ranging from a long walk around the rock, short walks or even no walk at all but a major re-work of the existing picnic area. We will be guided by feedback from the Noongar Peoples during the consultation process.

That's about all for now. Stay tuned in the coming weeks when we are able to publish the Master Plan for comment.

Regards to everyone.
Vince Holt
Project Coordinator.

Boyagin Rock Project - Consultation Heading Forward

Following our Progess Meeting on 6th February 2014 Tredwell Management Consultants have proposed the following:

Hi Vince

Further to the meeting last week, and as agreed, I’ve outlined below our proposal for ongoing consultation and timeframes to inform the development of the trail master plan:

Continuous liaison with the Steering Committee through email/phone/progress meeting/site visit (mid/late March):

Merv Abraham                  Pingelly Noongar Group

Malcolm Jetta                    Pingelly Noongar Group

Ray Marshall                     Pingelly Tourism Group

John Bostock                     Pingelly Tourism Group

Greg Durell                        DPaW

Peter Wnuk                        DPaW

Vince Holt                          Shire of Pingelly

Gavin Pollock                    Shire of Pingelly

Telephone interviews with the following stakeholders (w/c 10/02/2014 onwards):

Eric Pech                              Neighbouring land owner

Wayde Mclean                      DSR

Justin McAllister                   SW Aboriginal Land and Sea Council

Clive Freeman                       SW Aboriginal Land and Sea Council

Arthur and Faye Slater          Seabrook Aboriginal Corporation

Christine Shervington            Uni of WA

Susan Bailey                          Uni of WA

Mike Lynch                            Small Business Council

Richard McAlinden                Newmont Mining

Kooda Cornwell                     Fairbridge Farm

Bibbulmun Track Foundation

Mark Hook                             Shire of Wickepin

Present draft report to Steering Committee (anticipate late April/early May)

Circulate draft report including trail concept maps to the stakeholders for comment.

Public review period (in accordance with Council policy)

Final report submitted End of May/Early June

Please let me know if you have any comments on the above.

Kind regards

Dan

Daniel Ames

Open Space & Recreation Planner

Tredwell Management Services

Boyagin Rock Progress Meeting 06 February 2014 - Notes

Below are the notes from our last Progress Meeting held 6th February 2014.

Meeting Notes: Boyagin Rock Progress Meeting

Location: Pingelly Shire Offices

Meeting start time: 1.00pm (run time approx.1.5hr)

Date: 06/02/2013

Attendees:

Vince Holt, Gavin Pollock, Ray Marshall, John Bostock, Greg Durell, Peter Wnuk, Merv Abraham, Daniel Ames (TM), Lachlan Giles (TM)

Apologies:

Malcom Jetta

Key Discussion:

·         Boyagin Rock is only 1 hour from the Bibbulmun Track – the idea of a potential linkage was mentioned

·         Initial conceptual plans of the potential Boyagin Rock walking trail alignment were presented to the group the following feedback was received:

§  DPaW indicated that the larger circular walking route would not be appropriate for further investigation due to various environmental concerns

§  Currently DPaW have no fox baiting buffer zones in place around Boyagin Rock, so if a trail were to be formalised around the rock then appropriate baiting buffer zones would have to apply. This will allow further impingement of feral species into the area.

§  DPaW would prefer that the walking trail allocated would be as small as possible (i.e. as close to the rock as possible) to limit maintenance costs & user risk (i.e. visitor safety) but they acknowledge that a compromise may be possible and that a trail may be achievable in this location, subject to further investigations

§  DPaW informed the group that they can provide Tredwell Management with the following:

Ø  Rare Flora map of site location

Ø  Heritage map of site location

§  Merv indicated his support for this project and also indicated that it would be beneficial to map the required buffer zone distances relevant to the indigenous community (i.e. the area visitors should stay away from the base of the rock) to better inform the design of the trail

·         It was noted that the Wheatbelt NRM Board have produced high quality documents (i.e. NRM Gnamma Story Book – funded by Caring for Our Country) that have successfully brought together key stories and information from several indigenous groups and that they may be a stakeholder in the future.

·         The following points were discussed in regards to project consultation

§  DPaW and the Shire of Pingelly need to be consulted early in the process with the goal of establishing the key principles of this project

§  The Noongar People as well as the Seabrook People are being consulted in regards to this project during the week starting on the 10/02/2014

§  Tredwell Management are to design and distribute to council a consultation plan

§  It was noted that a desktop approach to consultation will be adequate from this stage

§  Neighboring properties are to be consulted

§  The Department of Indigenous Affairs should be consulted in regards to a heritage site that may be located on the eastern side of the rock

·         A Walking Party is to be established to walk the desired route (established by Tredwell) on the next trip to Pingelly (estimated mid-march). This party will involve representatives from Tredwell Management, DPaW, The Noongar indigenous community and the Shire of Pingelly. At this time it was also noted that Tredwell Management will also hold a Workshop with key stakeholders.

·         Precise nature of land ownership/management and implications to this project are still to be determined

·         It was noted that it needs to be clarified with the Noongar people that there is a story to tell about Boyagin Rock. The NRM board may be able to assist in capturing the detailed story information after the completion of the Master Plan

·         As this trail will represent a dreamtime trail sharing the stories of the Noongar people it will be important that they have an opportunity to manage it with the vision for them in the future to potentially manage commercial tours on site with the aspiration for the site and its management to become self-funded and sustainable.

·         It was noted that a trail developed recently at Fitzgerald is a good example of infrastructure

·         It was noted that the SW Land and Sea Council will have legal representation present at the next meeting

·         Next Steps

§  Consultation Plan to be developed

§  Confirmation of date for next meeting in March

§  Contact Key Stakeholders in regards to project development

Project Steering Committee: Progress Meeting

Below is the agenda for our progress meeting 6th February 2014 at 1pm.

Meeting Agenda

Project Steering Committee: Progress Meeting

Date: 06/02/2014

Time: 1:00pm – 2:30pm

Location: Shire of Pingelly Council Chambers

Attendees: Daniel Ames (TM), Lachlan Giles (TM), Gavin Pollock, Vince Holt,

Ray Marshall, John Bostock, Greg Durell, Merv Abraham and Malcolm Jetta

1:00pm – 1:30pm 1. Project Update

 Suggested approach

 Concept plans

 Feedback

1:30pm – 2:00pm 2. Consultation

 Interviews with key stakeholders

 Mechanisms to capture

stories/interpretation material

2:00pm – 2:15pm 4. Next Steps

2:15pm – 2:30pm 5. Other Business

 Next Meeting Date