Koondrook team commended at state awards

1 December 2010

Four Indigenous Site Monitor Coordinators and Cultural Heritage Advisors for the Koondrook-Perricoota Forest Flood Enhancement Project received a Highly Commended award at the 2010 Premier’s Excellence Awards for Leadership in Aboriginal Communities last week.

Norman Moore, Des Morgan, Fred Egan and Richard Kerr were engaged by State Water as part of the forest project and were nominated in the Building Communities category for their outstanding work in the recruitment, training, coordination and supervision of 28 Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Site Monitors.

The award was presented by NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Paul Lynch who said the winners inspired others to make their mark and lead by example.

State Water’s Koondrook-Perricoota Project Manager Mark Pearson said the award was well deserved recognition of the Joint Indigenous Group (JIG), comprised of four men with exceptional capabilities.

“The JIG has been instrumental in developing a successful working partnership between local Aboriginal communities and groups and the Project Team,” Mr Person said.

Special mention was also made of the Joint Indigenous Group at the awards ceremony.

“The JIG has also provided valuable expert advice and recommendation on matters of importance and interest to the community such as cultural heritage management and employment opportunities,” Mr Pearson said.

“Everyone involved has done a remarkable job in forming a strong, respectful and mutually beneficial working relationship between the local Aboriginal communities they represent.”

The project provides employment opportunities, experience and training in Cultural Heritage Management while ensuring cultural values and heritage within the forest are co-managed by the participating Aboriginal communities in accordance with their wishes.  

Mr Pearson also acknowledged the work of Dan Hutton, Project Officer from Forests NSW for his work with both the JIG and Monitoring Team.

“Dan has worked alongside the groups as part of our project team and has been instrumental in the success of the project so far.”

The Koondrook-Perricoota Flood Enhancement Project aims to conserve and enhance the current ecological condition of the forest.

An initiative of the Commonwealth Government and a collection of NSW agencies, the project involves a suite of works including constructing structures to allow the forest to receive more regular flooding; sustain natural process and rehabilitate wetlands.

A comprehensive environmental assessment process has been completed and construction of the works is scheduled to commence within the next month.

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