I recently had the opportunity to attend the Murray Landcare Collective meeting in Oaklands, representing the National Landcare Network.
The Murray Landcare Collective brings together Landcare groups, government agencies, environmental organisations, and other organisations working across the Murray region. It provides a space for people to connect, share what they are working on and look at opportunities to work together.
For me, one of the most valuable parts of the day was simply hearing what everyone is doing across the region.
We heard updates from different organisations, discussed Murray Seed Services and looked at where projects are currently being funded across the Murray and how organisations can work together.
Strengthening First Nations relationships
It was also great to hear about the work happening to strengthen relationships between First Nations communities and Landcare across the Murray.
Murray Landcare, through Holbrook Landcare Network, has recently received funding to deliver the Aboriginal Partnerships Program across the Murray region through to 30 June 2027.
The program aims to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal communities and Landcare through shared learning, cultural knowledge, community leadership and meaningful partnerships.
An important part of this work will be the employment of two part-time Murray Regional Aboriginal Landcare Coordinators, which are identified Aboriginal positions.
The MRALCs will work alongside Landcare Coordinators and organisations across the Murray region, to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal communities, support community-led initiatives and help bring Aboriginal perspectives into environmental and land management activities.
It is encouraging to see investment in dedicated First Nations positions within Landcare. Building stronger relationships takes time, and having Aboriginal people working within the region to help build those connections is an important step.
There were also First Nations people already working across the region represented at the Collective, including Darren Wighton, Cultural Broker and Community Engagement Officer with Murray Local Land Services, and members of Yarkuwa Indigenous Knowledge Centre’s River Rangers team.
The value of coming together
Something I took away from the day was just how much is happening across the Murray.
Sometimes organisations can be working towards similar outcomes without knowing what others are doing nearby. Bringing people together gives everyone a chance to share information, make connections and find opportunities to support each other.
For me, attending was also a valuable opportunity to listen and learn more about what is already happening along the Murray.
In my role as First Nations Liaison with the National Landcare Network, understanding what is happening on the ground is really important. Our role nationally is to listen, learn, connect people where we can, and look at how we can support the good work already happening across Landcare.
Thank you to the Murray Landcare Collective for inviting me along and to everyone who shared their work and knowledge on the day.
First Nation Liaison Officer, Andrea Briggs.
Photo: Connecting Across the Murray Landcare Collective | Credit: Murray Landcare