Traditional Owners Reference Group -TORG

October is Indigenous Business month, and we encourage everyone to support and spread the word of all the deadly businesses out there!

One way to support Indigenous businesses during this month is to attend the First Nations Trade and Talent Exhibition. Up to 50 vendors will be making their mark, so head down, network and enjoy some of the cultural experiences that will be on display.

See more information on the flyer below 👇👇👇

🌟🙏 National Reconciliation Week! 🙏🌟

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in National Reconciliation Week! Your involvement and enthusiasm have made this year's events truly special.

During this significant week, we came together to celebrate two important dates:

📅 May 27—Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum: On this day, we remember the historic moment when over 90% of Australians voted to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census, allowing the federal government to create laws for them. This landmark decision marked a critical step towards equality and justice.

📅 June 3—Mabo Day honors Eddie Mabo's efforts in fighting for Indigenous land rights. On June 3, 1992, the High Court of Australia recognized that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have rights to the land—a pivotal moment in our nation's history.

In between those two significant dates, we also remember that on May 29, 1992, the Torres Strait flag was officially recognised and presented to the Torres Strait Islander people.

National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and explore how we can contribute to reconciliation in Australia.

Your participation, whether through events, discussions, or sharing information, has been invaluable in fostering understanding and unity. We are building a nation that values equality and embraces its rich cultural diversity.

Thank you once again for your support and commitment. Let's continue this journey towards a reconciled Australia. 🌏❤️

Did you know a fully protected gilan (Dugong in Birra-Gubba language) sanctuary is just south of Mackay? Since they are in our backyard, let's learn about them!

Our coastal Aboriginal peoples have long relied on gilans as key indicators of the coastal ecosystem’s health. The presence or absence of a gilan provides insight into the seagrass's condition and the marine environment's overall health.

Since colonisation, the dugong population has declined and is now declared vulnerable. The most common threats to these mammals are poor water quality, boat strikes from both recreational and commercial vessel activities, drowning in shark nets, climate change, coastal development, and degradation. Compounding these challenges is the gilan's reproductive rate, with females giving birth only every 3 –7 years, further impeding population recovery

Do not forget, when on a boat, to slow down in gilan town! Please be on the lookout for breaching gilan's and avoid or reduce vessel speed to less than 10 knots around seagrass meadows.

🗓️ 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘀 - 𝗔𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 & 𝗧𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗜𝘀𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰

As we move into 2024, let us come together to recognise and honour the significant dates of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

These dates serve as poignant reminders of Australia's historical roots and cultural diversity, allowing us to reflect on the profound journey toward reconciliation, inclusivity, and mutual respect. 🖤💛❤️

*Please Note: correct dates for NAIDOC week dates are July 7 - July 14.