Newsletter – July 2022

During National Reconciliation Week, the Morven State School invited the Gunggari community to come to the school and share culture and language.  Aunty Lynette Nixon, Sue Saunders, Leearna Saunders and Saraeva Mitchell travelled to Morven on 3 June 2022 where they taught the students language and song, including how to do the Hokey Pokey in Gunggari!  They also learnt about catching food, the importance of sharing, how to look after rivers, and how stone tools were made and used.  They danced to clapsticks and mimicked birds and animals.

Students, teachers and parents also took part in a Smoking Ceremony, then students unveiled a plaque for Acknowledgement of Country, which will be hung in a prominent place in the school.

The school is very keen to incorporate more Gunggari knowledge into the school program. 

“Our students were so engaged and have already asked when they will have another visit.” – Hayley Rolfe (Principal)

Saraeva talked to the students about Mundagutta the Rainbow Serpent and the importance of looking after Country.

For the past several months, GNTAC has been working with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to update the signage at Tregole National Park, about 11 kilometres south of Morven.  Though it is a relatively small park, it packs in a lot of plant and animal diversity and Gunggari cultural heritage, including several water wells. These water wells form part of a large Songline where our mob travelled across Country for resources, trade, ceremony, and looking after Country.  The water wells sustained them on their journey.

Everyone is invited to attend unveiling of the new signage at the park on Wednesday 13^th July at 10am. See invitation below.  If you can’t make it don’t worry, as we will be sharing photos and story of the day in the next newsletter. Here’s some more information about the park: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/tregole

GNTAC is seeking EOIs from Gunggari people who would be keen to join the Cultural Heritage Survey team.    Please see document below for terms and conditions.  To register your interest or make enquiries, please email your response to culturalheritage@gunggaripbc.com.au.

Cultural Heritage Inspectors & Monitors (Casual) – Varying rates of pay, plus Superannuation of 10.00%

Under s 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), it is a genuine occupational requirement of this position that it be filled by a person of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent

From time to time, the Gunggari Native Title Aboriginal Corporation (GNTAC) receives requests from external stakeholders to conduct cultural heritage surveys prior to their commencing capital works or other projects on Gunggari Country.

The Gunggari Native Title Aboriginal Corporation RNTBC is seeking Expressions of Interest from Gunggari people to be part of the GNTAC Cultural Heritage Survey Team to undertake cultural heritage site inspections and monitoring when required.

The ideal candidate will have strong cultural values, understand cultural protocols, and be of Gunggari descent.

Skills and Attributes

• Understanding of, or ability to rapidly acquire an understanding of, the statutory and regulatory operating environment for Cultural Heritage and Mapping Standards.
• Sound knowledge of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, how to identify and record Gunggari cultural heritage.
• Work as part of a team to undertake training and field work for recording of cultural heritage
• Strong communication skills with a wide range of
• Broad administrative skills, including:
  • the ability to plan and coordinate meeting logistics;
  • manage records and develop basic records management systems; and
  • word processing
• Ability to occasionally work irregular hours, including

Applicants must be willing to provide written evidence from a registered medical doctor of their fitness and ability to work for extended lengths of times in sometimes remote locations. A Position Description is attached below.

How to Apply

If you would like to join our team, please submit your Expression of Interest outlining how you meet the above skills and attributes to culturalheritage@gunggaripbc.com.au.

POSITION DESCRIPTION – Cultural Heritage Inspectors and Monitors

Overview of the Position

The position is responsible for undertaking cultural heritage site inspections and monitoring, as well as assisting the Cultural Heritage Coordinator to develop and implement processes and documentation relating to Cultural Heritage management.

Key Responsibilities

1. Undertake field trips on request with key stakeholders to monitor and assess development sites for cultural heritage
2. Accurately record site data, audit pre-recorded information and provide reports to update the
3. Work with the Cultural Heritage Coordinator to develop and implement processes and documentation to manage Gunggari cultural heritage, access to Country, compliance and sites
4. Work in accordance with the Queensland Cultural Heritage Act 2003 including the Duty of Care
5. Prepare written reports related to site
6. Maintain business records.

SCHEDULE OF ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Where the employee is required by a client and authorised by GNTAC to use their motor vehicle or are required by a client to be away from home overnight in the course of their duties, the employee is entitled to be reimbursed for the amount stipulated in any agreement GNTAC has with the client.

Please provide a copy of a current driver’s license (in colour and both front and back), and a copy of your vehicle’s car insurance certificate.

Inspectors are required to provide their own Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), meals and water unless these costs are covered as part of an agreement with GNTAC’s client. Please discuss with GNTAC if you are not in a position to provide your own PPE, meals and water.

Any equipment provided by GNTAC to fulfil your role (e.g., GPS recorders, cameras) must be returned to GNTAC at the end of each day’s field work in good working condition. 

DONATE TO GNTAC

Did you know that GNTAC is a not-for-profit organisation and is also a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC)? This means that you can make tax-deductible donations to your own mob’s organisation.  For more information, call the office on 0439 204 986 or write to secretary@gunggaripbc.com.au