The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder’s (CEWH) Science Program funds the Flow Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (Flow–MER).
2rog (Paul and Tamara) drove to Bingara to attend the Gwydir First Nations Environmental Water Group for their second gathering on Sunday December 10th. The group has been recently established to provide a platform for Aboriginal people to have a voice and participate in environmental water management, programs and decision-making for the Gwydir Catchment.
Kerrie Saunders, 2rog Gomeroi Cultural Advisor and local Moree Aunty, is a member of the group (Figure 1), and we had the chance to catchup with her in the morning as well as many of the First Nation people who had come together from across the Gomeroi/ Kamilaroi/ Gamilaraay Nation. Also in attendance were staff members from CEWH
(Jane Humphries and Chrissy Jeffries) and MDBA (Annabelle Guest) and NSW DPE (Adrian Black, Rebecca Ballard, Kate Brown, and Dave Preston).
Paul, Tamara and others from 2rog and UNE are looking forward to working with the First Nations group members and with their communities in developing First Nations input and then ongoing involvement in the new Flow Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Program (MER 2.0) which is a CEWH funded program coming up for the Gwydir Catchment. The new MER 2.0 has a strong focus and inclusion of First Nation peoples in the program.
Managing water for the environment is a collective and collaborative effort, working in partnership with communities, private landholders, scientists and government agencies – these contributions are gratefully acknowledged.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live, work and play. We also pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
