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.
