The Mungabareena Reserve: Wiradjuri Reconciliation Project 2000 - a 3 year journey

Yalmambirra does not give up!

A late comer to University, he now lectures at the Charles Sturt University, but the story Yalmambirra wants to tell is about initiating and maintaining community support in very trying circumstances.

Several years ago, and with the support of the local Wiradjuri Elders, Yalmambirra applied for and received a Natural Heritage Trust Grant to rehabilitate and revegetate about 45 hectares of land. Over many months, the project was disrupted by vandals and by Mother Nature, but Yalmambirra kept at it!

The unsympathetic nature of the community both Indigenous and non-Indigenous did not help.

The future looks a lot brighter. Cattle have been removed and more than 11,500 trees have been planted. Picnic tables, walking tracks and interpretive signs are next on the agenda.

'I have not given in on the project [to rehabilitate the project area] nor have I given up on the people who have assisted me this far' says Yalmambirra.

'My story could be used to enlighten people as to the pitfalls of among many issues: applying for funding, what to do with the funding once it comes through, the attitudes of the community of environmental projects and how to use those attributes. And an awareness of indigenous people and their ties to the land'.

Land & Water Australia will support Yalmambirra to give a series of personal presentations covering these issues.