The Campaspe River is an important place for the region’s Traditional Owners.

The river’s catchment is on the Country of three Traditional Owner groups: Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation west of the river, Taungurung Clans Aboriginal Corporation east of the river, and Yorta Yorta Nations Aboriginal Corporation to the north.

The Campaspe River provided a place to gather and celebrate, because of its rich diversity of foods, medicinal needs and materials for use in the making of ornaments, necklaces, weapons and tools.

There are many cultural heritage sites along the Campaspe that are protected by legislation, and the river remains an important place to meet and gather.

The North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is hosting a special Campaspe River information session in Echuca on Tuesday 27 March to highlight the importance of the Aboriginal cultural heritage of the area.

“The Campaspe is a special place for Traditional Owners, as it is for the entire central Victorian community,” North Central CMA Project Manager Angela Gladman said.

“The environmental significance of the Campaspe is well known, but not a lot of people are aware of how rich and important its Aboriginal cultural heritage is.

“The Echuca forum will feature a talk about cultural heritage by a Yorta Yorta Traditional Owner, and Geoff Williams from the Australian Platypus Conservancy will also speak about the importance of the Campaspe’s current platypus population.

“The platypus population in the Campaspe is significant for the whole region,” Ms Gladman said.

“During the Millennium Drought, the platypus population of the Murray system downstream of Echuca collapsed. There are only about 50 known animals left.

“Therefore the Campaspe platypuses are really important, especially as a source of juveniles who can migrate when the time is right.

“The work we do, through water for the environment, fencing, weed removal and riverside revegetation, helps the Campaspe platypus population survive, and gives them conditions that can support recolonisation of other systems.”

For more details about the event, and to register, call the North Central CMA on 03 5448 7124 or click here.

This event is supported by the North Central CMA, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program and the Victorian Government’s Regional Riparian Action Plan - part of the $222 million investment over four years to improve the health of waterways and catchments in regional Victoria.

Supporting Aboriginal values is a key element of the Victorian Government's water plan, Water for Victoria. The Plan is helping identify Aboriginal values and building the capacity of the sector to ensure greater involvement of Traditional Owners.

EVENT DETAILS

WHEN:   Tuesday 27 March 2018, 4.30pm – 6pm

WHERE: Mercure Port of Echuca, 465 High St, Echuca

WHAT:   Guest presenters will be sure to captivate the audience

in an informative afternoon of presentations.

• A talk on cultural heritage by a Yorta Yorta

Traditional Owner

• Geoff Williams, Australian Platypus Conservancy

Afternoon tea on arrival. Children welcome

RSVP:     Register by clicking here or calling  03 5448 7124 by 23 March.