Brumby Work

 As a member of the Ngarigo Nation I was asked by the Elders to be the Chairperson of the Ngarigo Brumby Research Group.  The Ngarigo Elders had requested the Research Group to provide advice on the brumbies (wild horses) on Ngarigo Country. As an action of the research group I developed the survey to understand:

1. the community's opinion on Brumbies in Ngarigo conservation areas, including Kosciusko National Park,

2. if brumbies are to be controlled what would be the preferred option, and

3. what role the community would like Ngarigo community to be involved.

I undertook the data analysis and drafted the NNIC Community Ngarigo Brumby Research Survey Report for the Elders review and confirmation. The interpretation of the data concluded with six recommendations.

I initiated a conversation with the NPWS Area Manager in Jindabyne and was informed that the Agency is keeping to the Southern Snowy Mountains Aboriginal Community MOU (expired) that did not recognise myself or Elders and members of the NNIC as Ngarigo as determined by the Committee Representative, a Yuin Elder.

To date there has been no progress on the first recommendation. Currently NNIC Elders and members have been denied recognition of their Aboriginality by NSW NPWS.

NPWS has a unique role to respect, protect and enhance the land and its cultural links. All parks are part of Aboriginal people's country. The biodiversity found in parks only exist because those lands have been cared for and protected by their Aboriginal custodians for thousands of years. 

The National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 protects Aboriginal cultural heritage in NSW.