GLaWAC

05/06/2026

Here’s a great opportunity for young leaders in community (and leaders of the future)!

We are sponsoring four Gunaikurnai people aged 18 to 35 to attend the 2026 Native Title Youth Forum in Melbourne.

The deadline to apply is Tuesday, June 23!

This is part of our ongoing mission to create opportunities for young mob to develop their skills and talents in order to make positive change for their community.

Being held at the University of Melbourne from August 24 to 28, the Native Title Youth Forum was created specifically to grow the next generation of First Nations leaders.

Info about how to apply is at:

This is part of our ongoing mission to create opportunities for young mob to develop their skills and talents in order to make positive change for their community.

04/06/2026

Want to learn more about the proposals for offshore wind farms on Gunaikurnai Country?

GLaWAC is currently in conversation with four of the companies wanting to build offshore wind farms, and our goal is that any new energy projects on Country deliver the best outcomes for mob.

Next week, you have the opportunity to yarn with the people behind one of those projects, Star of the South, and ask them about the impacts their project would have on Country and community, positive and negative.

Star of the South is hosting information sessions at GLaWAC's Morwell office (Thursday, June 11, 12 – 2pm) and Kalimna office (Thursday, June 25, 12 – 2pm).

You’ll be able to have a good look at the Environmental Assessments for Star of the South.

Lunch and snacks provided. You can also attend these information sessions online if you can’t make it in person.

All the information about these information sessions, and GLaWAC’s Energy Strategy, is at https://gunaikurnai.org/energy

03/06/2026

Check out these photos from a recent eDNA training day with EnviroDNA.

The team at EnviroDNA have been on this journey with us for several years now – helping us figure out what is happening beneath the surface of our waterways and building the skills to keep that work going long into the future.

Head on over to Our Yarns to see more of the day’s action, and to learn how eDNA is helping us care for Country. https://gunaikurnai.org/learning-to-listen-edna-training-on-country/

You will also be able to see a great video there that EnviroDNA made on the day.

It is pretty cool stuff.

02/06/2026

Tyrone Hayes, Harley Wanganeen and Tyler Hood have just been to the NSW Oyster Conference in Merimbula — along with our good friend Craig Ingram from the Victorian Fisheries Association.

From field trips and current research to discussions on global trends in oyster farming — they've been soaking up all the industry insights so they can bring that knowledge and inspiration straight back home to put into practice in our oyster trials. Exciting times!

And speaking of the oyster trial — check out the video below for a look at where things are headed. The guys share what day-to-day oyster farming looks like, what they've been learning along the way, and their hopes for the future of the industry here on Gunaikurnai Country. Well worth a watch!

https://vimeo.com/1194241335?fl=ip&fe=ec

Big shout out to Julien from Go2Creative for his impeccable video work.

This is "GLaWAC Oyster Trial June 2026" by GLaWAC on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

01/06/2026

The Merbuck (Autumn) issue of GLaWAC News is here, chock full of stories that celebrate our young ones, our Elders, our leaders, and connection to Country.

Want to read about two local Gunaikurnai sisters shining on the big stage? Or the Gippsland Wrens flying high? How about the work we are doing up in the mountains, deep inside the caves, all across the rivers and even out at sea? There's also a stack of great photos from Deadly in Gippsland, an introduction to our Elders Council, and vital news about our reps on the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.

It's all in the latest issue of the GLAWAC News - and more! So settle in, put your feet up and enjoy.

You can read it online here: https://tinyurl.com/2dfpb8hw

Members – if you haven’t received your copy in the mail yet, give us a call or send us a DM so we can get one out to you.

28/05/2026

🌊Right now, we are working on a plan to protect Sea Country.🌊

And so we need your input on what matters most to you and your family when we think about Sea Country.

Please, take just 2 minutes to click the link below and respond to this very simple question:

What threats to Sea Country matter most to you?🐟🐟🐟

Thank you for your time and thoughts.

https://gunaikurnai.org/our-country/sea-country/

27/05/2026

Sitting in the shade, surrounded by women yarning and laughing together, Aunty Lisa Giblin reflected on what had been a quietly powerful day.

“I know that I can pick up the phone and call any one of these women and they would give me support. And I would do the same.”

That spirit of connection, trust and mutual support was at the heart of Monday’s Cultural Awareness session at the Mitchell River, hosted by GLaWAC as part of the Gippsland Environmental Agencies Network Women in Leadership Program.

More than 50 women from 10 different environmental agencies came together to learn, share experiences, and strengthen the relationships that help grow strong leadership.

From walking on Country to sitting together and sharing stories, the day was a reminder that strong leadership is built through connection, generosity and support.

East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
DEECA Gippsland East Gippsland Water Environment Protection Authority Victoria Parks Victoria South Gippsland WaterSouthern Rural Water Trust for Nature

26/05/2026

On National Sorry Day today we send love and strength to all community.

We remember the Stolen Generations and the pain that still runs through so many of our families.

While Sorry Day is about recognising and remembering the generations of Aboriginal children who were taken from their families under government policy, these events are not just “history.”

We carry them today.

Sorry Day can bring up a lot of feelings — grief, anger, reflection.

All the time, but today especially, look after yourself and each other.

Have a yarn with someone if you need to.

Find yourself a peaceful place. Connect to Country.

And know that there are kind and passionate people out there providing support to the Stolen Generations and their families.

Here’s some more information about those support services.

https://linkupvictoria.org.au/services/
https://connectinghome.org.au/

25/05/2026

A spear made by 15-year-old William Murdoch of Lakes Entrance now occupies an important place in the history of Aboriginal peoples’ fight for self-determination in Victoria.

At a special cultural ceremony in Melbourne last month, Will’s spear was presented as part of the Yulwa – a passing of knowledge of the outgoing First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria to the new Gellung Warl

“I made this spear because I wanted to see how much it made me feel connected to the country and my ancestors,” Will said. “Making the spear was a spiritual experience for me.”

In the ceremony at the Royal Exhibition Centre, Alice Pepper and Troy McDonald presented Will’s spear to members of the Elders’ Voice, who will hold it until the Gellung Warl begins.

Congratulations Will. We hope to see you continue your journey as a craftsman in the years ahead.

Read the full story about Will’s spear and Gellung Warl here: https://gunaikurnai.org/young-wills-spear-a-powerful-symbol-in-historic-handover-to-gellung-warl/

22/05/2026

Happy Friday!
Here's something very cute to start your weekend with some good vibes.

She's a bit shy at first, but watch the little Pookila hop and scamper happily back into the wilds of Loch Sport, after being studied by GLaWAC Rangers Kevin Hood and Jordan Harrison.

It's part of a research project GLaWAC is involved in to learn more about the Pookila - also known as the New Holland Mouse - and how we can protect them from the cats and foxes that threaten to wipe them out.

This work is made possible by the Australian Government’s Saving Native Species Program.

You can learn more about this excellent project to save the Pookila here: https://gunaikurnai.org/pookila-finds-some-friends/