The Hon Peter Walsh MP, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, and Minister for Water, was at the North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) on Tuesday evening to officially launch the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DDWCAC) and North Central CMA Partnership Project,

The project, is an initiative that will equip the traditional land owners of North Central Victoria with the necessary skills and tools to  build upon their inherit knowledge of the region and establish a  successful natural resource management business.

Mr Damian Wells, North Central CMA CEO, stated that he is extremely proud of the project.

“This is a first of its kind in Victoria between a CMA and an Aboriginal Corporation. For us this project is an important step towards the Australian Government’s commitment to ‘Closing the Gap’.”

Over 50 dignitaries, staff and Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation representatives came together to celebrate the official launch. A Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, Didgeridoo performance and a message from the Hon Peter Walsh MP, Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, and Minister for Water, were all part of the lively proceedings.

“The launch was a major success and I envisage that the project will be just as successful. I am already hearing positive feedback on the high work standard the Dja Dja Wurrung group is demonstrating and I look forward to watching them develop all the necessary skills to eventually operate their own business,” concluded Mr Wells.

The corporation successfully received funding through the Victorian Aboriginal Economic Development Strategy to establish a commercially viable Natural Resource and Cultural Heritage Management business. The project is being implemented through a co-hosting arrangement with the North Central CMA, as the principle employer and host agency for the project, for a two year period from January 2011 to December 2012.

For further information please contact: 

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551
t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au