A Day on Country – Budj Bim

What better way to learn about local Indigenous culture and history than a tour of the newly crowned World Heritage listed site of Budj Bim! And all the more perfect to have Tyson Lovett-Murray as our guide and tell us HIS people’s history; the good, the bad and the ugly.

There were some fascinating facts shared with us by Tyson:
Eels have been tracked migrating as far as 3000km to New Caledonia!
There are lots of different ways to catch eels, including placing wattle foliage in eel trap water which then releases something that knocks the eels out.
Totems are given to children when they’re born, Aboriginal people don’t eat their family’s animal or their totem animal. They are responsible for looking after this species. Other mobs may eat it but they/their family don’t.
Importantly we should note how harmonious the Aboriginal people were with the environment and their sustainable farming practices.

An interesting discussion arose about the changing of those local streets named after people or families we now know were responsible for persecuting local Indigenous people. One line of thought was if we did, would we run the chance of the history being lessened or forgotten? With decisions like this the most important thing to remember is to include the local indigenous people in these conversations, so we are not making the same mistake again of assuming we know what they want or what is best for them.

This could also help in the Aboriginal people’s need for self-determination. This is starting to happen; Koori Court and the push for spent convictions in Victoria are both helping Aboriginal people move towards self-determination. Aboriginal people should be responsible for deciding what is best for their people and their communities.

The massacres, genocide, poisoning, lies and mis-truths, missions, stolen generations, lack of any human rights (just to name a few), all tell of a very ugly, and not so distant, past. We regularly hear about WW1/WW2 veterans and victims (white man’s story [absolutely no disrespect intended, just trying to make a point]) and the atrocities they lived through, but very rarely do we hear the stories about the takeover of Aboriginal lands, which are just as atrocious. And for these story telling people who relive it every time the story is told there is no closing the book and picking it up again when they’re ready, they hold this in their heads and hearts forever. We should never underestimate the pain that is relived every time they tell the stories of the takeover of their land and the removal of their human rights.

Australian Indigenous history is very confronting, but for reconciliation to occur we must continue to acknowledge the injustices that occurred. This is essential for several reasons: so this ugly history is not forgotten and history doesn’t repeat itself; and to keep pushing for self-determination for Aboriginal people. They identified this is a priority need for them and it is our role as leaders to support them to achieve this.

It is encouraging to see that racism is decreasing with each generation and can only hope that this continues to be the case with each passing generation having more respect, understanding and acceptance than the last.

After all, we’re all only human doing the best we can with what we have available to us at the time.

Amy Sylvester, 2019 Participant

What Our Alumni Say…

Find your voice. Discover your ignorance. Supercharge your influence. Unexpected learning and exposure on every level. Phil

You will be stretched, and at times it will be difficult. At times, it will probably blow your mind, and it may send you a little crazy. You’ll probably cry. You will definitely laugh – quite a lot. You’ll meet and connect with the most incredible people along the way – often unexpectedly. You will learn more about yourself and you will understand others better. You will come out with a better understanding of your place in the world and where you’re likely to be able to do your best work. I cannot think of any other place where you’d get an opportunity like this – to have access to the insights and knowledge of so many different people on so many different topics. I recommend doing it. Kate

It is like becoming a parent – you think you understand what you are in for and you roll your eyes when people tell you to expect the unexpected but then BANG! Lauren

You will get back what you put into it, and if you do the work you will be richly rewarded. Mark

For applications tailored to Dairy…This is a course that will make you think differently.  It will open your eyes to the world outside of agriculture.  You will be challenged, inspired and equipped to come back into the industry and your business and have a positive impact. Tom

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You will meet great passionate people and learn about the opportunities and challenges in the Great South Coast region. If you care about your community and making a difference where you live, this is the course for you. Your leadership capability will grow over the journey and you will be better armed to take on the challenges that the future will hold. Peter

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Our Democracy at Work

When most people think of Parliament what springs to mind? The argy-bargy as two passionate teams fight it out, talking at each other across the room with the umpire, the Speaker, attempting to keep control? This argy-bargy is a real thing and we were lucky enough to witness the theatre of Victorian Parliament Question Time firsthand. Thankfully this is such a small part what actually happens in the Parliament sitting week. As a group we were all privileged to hear about all the good work and congeniality that exists within our government.

During these packed two days we heard many different angles on how the government has come to be what it is today. The prosperous beginnings of the 1850s were on display throughout the heritage building. Even if politics is not your thing, it’s worth the time to visit for this alone. However, politics, as unappealing to some it may be, was presented to us consistently as a worthy and rewarding career path. Somebody who considers themselves an ordinary Joe can reap great rewards if they take up this civic challenge. This community service is extended to opportunities to sit on boards, with the common thread being the importance of being in it for the right reasons. A South West local who held a position as a Senior Staffer informed us during a briefing it was the best job she had ever had.

We had the chance to meet several serving members and their staffers over an informal networking lunch. It was a great way to see the other side of our politicians away from Question Time mayhem or the interrogation of a reporter. The resounding message was that effectively lobbying, and the best outcomes could only be realised through clear and consistent messaging.

These two days were a real insight into the workings and function of the Parliament. All of the LGSC participants gained deeper understanding into the process of getting things done and the path required to ensure action from our government. With Melbourne’s street art admired and dumpling houses raided, it was back to the South West we went.