The land referred to as 'East Gippsland' is country that spans three indigenous nations, these are the nations of Bidwal, Gunnaikurnai and Monero (Ngarigo). These nations never ceded sovereignty and continue their custodianship of the land of waters within so called 'East Gippsland'.
Bidwal
Goongerah, the name of our town, is a Bidwal 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.
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
Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation (GLaWAC) represents Traditional Owners from the Brataualung, Brayakaulung, Brabralung, Krauatungalung and Tatungalung family clans, who were recognised in the Native Title Consent Determination, made under the new Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, the first such agreement under that Act.
Gunnaikurnai poeple jointly manage 10 parls 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.
More information can be found at the on the Nindi-Ngujan Ngario-Monero Aboriginal corporation website.
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