The Victorian government has announced the recipients of grants for Traditional Owner-led recovery efforts after the October 2022 floods.
Victorian Aboriginal communities will be able to conduct cultural healing projects as part of the $800,000 Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant Program.
Emergency Recovery Victoria (ERV) has partnered with the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations (FVTOC) to deliver the program.
FVTOC chief executive Paul Paton said: "Aboriginal communities and Traditional Owners know best what their Country needs to heal following disaster.
"This program draws on 65,000 years of Aboriginal knowledge and experience of caring for Country to ensure flood recovery efforts centre Aboriginal expertise, which benefits the whole community."
The floods in 2022 saw the Campaspe River, Maribyrnong River, Avoca River, Goulburn River, Loddon River, and Broken River all flood their banks in Victoria. Evacuations were ordered in several towns, including Seymour, Rochester, Carisbrook, Wedderburn and Charlton, and the Defence Force was deployed.
Emergency Services Minister Jaclyn Symes said better recovery outcomes were achieved when "we work together and let locals lead the way."
"This program recognises the unique challenges and opportunities recovery presents for Aboriginal Victorians," Ms Symes said.
Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Services Sheena Watt echoed this, noting: "Building resilience, skills and the protection of sacred sites after disaster will help heal country as we continue our recovery efforts"
The six Aboriginal corporations in Victoria to receive funding from the Aboriginal Culture and Healing Flood Recovery Grant Program are:
The Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (EMAC) will receive $100,000 to build flood recovery and resilience, with ten EMAC members trained in flood recovery, waterway management and rehabilitation.
The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation will receive $160,000 to help update the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register by investigating flood affected areas on Wurundjeri Country, with support from the University of Melbourne, through remote sensing including flood mapping.
The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, who will receive $160,000 for impact assessments on cultural heritage sites.
The Dududora Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation will receive $55,500 to hold workshops and remediation works at Ryan Lagoon to support future leaders on capability building and cultural knowledge.
The Moogji Aboriginal Council East Gippsland Inc. will receive $160,000 for site rehabilitation. This includes erosion control revegetation, as well as repairs to structures to help them meet public safety requirements.
The Barengi Gadjin Land Council will receive $160,000 for infrastructure repairs at the Dalki Garringa Native Nursery.
More information can be found online.
