The land referred to as 'East Gippsland' is country that spans three indigenous nations, these are the nations of Bidewell, Yuin, Gunnaikurnai and Monero (Ngarigo). These nations never ceded sovereignty and continue their custodianship of the land of waters within so called 'East Gippsland'.  

Bidewell

Goongerah, the name of our town, is a Bidewell word meaning egg rock. Goongerah is situated at the base of Mt. Goongerah (Mt. Ellery). This tall mountain is capped in large granite boulders that are the eggs of Djidjigan the rainbow serpent who travelled through this part of the country from snowy mountains. 

Bidwal elder Uncle Clayton Harrison tells the full story here.

Bidwal elder Uncle Bevan Harrison knows the story of why the Snake and the Goanna do not like each other, check here for the full story.

During the campaign to protect Goolengook valley from logging GECO worked with traditional owners from Gunnai and Bidwal nations, who served an eviction notice on the logging crews operating at Goolengook.   

In December 2020 Bidwell-Maap Traditional Owners wrote a letter to the Victorian government condemning logging planned in the Bidewell reserve near the Errinundra Plateau. There are still two coupes planned adjacent to the reserve, access would be through a large coupe within the reserve itself. 

GECO continues dialogue with traditional owners from all three nations about their aspirations for management of country and how we can best work together. 

GunnaiKurnai 

Gunnaikurnai people jointly manage 10 parks and reserves on their country including 

• The Knob Reserve, Stratford
• Tarra-Bulga National Park
• Mitchell River National Parks
• The Lakes National Park
• Gippsland Lakes Coastal Park
• New Guinea Cave (within Snowy River National Park)
• Land within the Lake Tyers Catchment Area
• Buchan Caves Reserve
• Gippsland Lakes Reserve on Raymond Island
• Corringle Foreshore Reserve 

The Bataluk cultural trail is a Gunnaikurnai touring route that showcases significant Gunnaikurnai sites in the region. The trail follows significant traditional routes used by the Gunaikurnai for over 30,000 years. 

More info on the trail and the sites along its path is here.

Ngarigo / Monero

Ngarigo / Monero country stretches from the far east of Victoria over the NSW border onto the Monaro tablelands. Read about their cultural learning walk here.