4 March 2016

West Wyalong meeting brings NSWALC closer to the network

A new initiative by NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) Chair Roy Ah-See to take NSWALC to the people starts on Tuesday with the peak Land Rights body holding a Board meeting at West Wyalong.

The meeting at West Wyalong Local Aboriginal Land Council in Wiradjuri Region will discuss a range of issues and will hear from a delegation from the Aboriginal Housing Office.

In the afternoon, community members will have an opportunity to raise issues directly with elected NSWALC councillors.

"As NSWALC Chair I'm committed holding a number of Board meetings outside our Parramatta headquarters to gain a better understanding of the issues facing the Land Rights network in New South Wales.

"While Councillors have regular access to advice and reports, quality decisions can only be made by listening to the Land Rights network and its members."

On Wednesday, NSWALC will hand back Barooga Karrai, a 10,626 hectare property on the outskirts of Euabalong, to its rightful owners - the Wiradjuri people of Murrin Bridge Local Aboriginal Land Council.

NSWALC looks forward to meeting community members and our hard-working Local Aboriginal Land Council members.

In another initiative to keep members informed, NSWALC will provide regular summaries of key decisions made by the elected Board at its monthly meetings.

Some of the outcomes from the 330^th Council Meeting held in February resulted in ongoing support for two pilot Economic Development Strategy projects, the awarding of two scholarships and a number of Local Aboriginal Land Council land dealings.

Economic Development Strategy

The Council agreed to provide financial support to two Local Aboriginal Land Councils that have been short-listed as pilot projects under NSWALC's Economic Development Strategy.

Support will be provided to Mutawintji Local Aboriginal Land Council's tourism enterprise and Wilcannia Local Aboriginal Land Council's plans for Weinteriga Station.

NSWALC is investing $16 million over five years, providing start-up capital, financial training and business development to turn Aboriginal local knowledge into successful and sustainable businesses.

Freddy Fricke Scholarship

Two young Local Aboriginal Land Council members have been endorsed as recipients of the 2016 Freddy Fricke Scholarship.

Peter Prince and Maddison Smart were awarded the Freddy Fricke Scholarships for 2016. Maddison and Peter received a grant of $5000 each to support their studies in 2016.

Peter is studying a Bachelor of Social Work and is a member of the Mungindi Local Aboriginal Land Council. Maddison is studying a Bachelor of Nursing and is a member of the Bowraville Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Since 2002, 43 Aboriginal students had been awarded scholarships to support them in undertaking university degrees in New South Wales.

Land Dealings

The Council approved a range of land dealings that will allow Local Aboriginal Land Councils to lodge Development Applications and easements with local councils and sell land.

These land dealings allow Local Aboriginal Land Councils to build local economies and create jobs and training opportunities for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people.

NSW Aboriginal Land Council Chair 

Roy Ah-See