Healthy Country
The aim of the Healthy Country Plan is to identify important environmental and cultural concerns of Muntulgura Guruma people so that these concerns can then guide future priorities and actions. This plan is also a single focal document for Muntulgura Guruma people to communicate (internally and/or externally) their major cultural and environmental concerns and management priorities.
The Healthy Country Plan presents a summary of concerns: both values (‘what we want to protect’) and threats (‘what we worry about’). The plan includes suggestions as to how these concerns can be addressed including strategies and management actions which would increase capacity, improve the condition of the value, or minimise threats. The plan then goes on to make suggestions to what could be measured periodically to demonstrate that any action has had a significant effect.
Values
What We Care About
- Water
- Special places and stories
- Access to Country
- Native animals
- Native plants and vegetation
- Traditional burning
- Keeping knowledge alive – Lore, Culture and Customs
Our Vision
Muntulgura Guruma people upholding the health of their country, people, and culture and to leave a strong legacy for future generations. Marandoo – a state of shame.
Goals
What Healthy Country Would Look Like
Here are some suggestions as to what Country could potentially look like:
Water
- Natural water levels are maintained
- Fish can be caught in water holes and rivers
- Mussels can be found in water holes and rivers
- Water is clean and drinkable
- Edges have healthy vegetation and little trampling from animals
- Native animals come to drink water
- Cattle are seldom seen at waterholes
Special Places And Their Stories
- Special places remain intact and undisturbed
- People, including young people, know the songs and stories
- People are coming to country to share this knowledge
Access To Country
- People access and enjoy all the important sites
- Young people come to Country
- Gates are unlocked and railways easy to cross
Native Animals
- Animals such as kangaroo, emu and bush turkey are in good numbers and can be seen or hunted easily
- Animals on country are healthy
- Animals can move freely across country
- Feral cats cannot be seen everywhere
Native Plants and Vegetation
- Plants are healthy and produce resources such as fruit
- Plant communities are healthy and support the right animals
- The right fire is applied to vegetation
- Culturally important species are included in rehabilitation and revegetation
- No important plant species is becoming rare or hard to find
- Culturally important species are well-protected by developers
Traditional Burning
- People are burning on country
- People are trained in fire planning and safety
- Fires are small and under control
- Good vegetation recovers after fire
- Trees are not killed in fire
Keeping Knowledge Alive – Lore, Culture And Customs
- Young people are coming on Country
- Young people are learning culture
- Knowledge of Elders is being recorded and shared
Tourism
- People visit our country from around the world
- They learn about our culture and country and are respectful of our needs and our country
Healthy Country Plan
Creating a shared vision for the Muntulgura Guruma people.
Heritage
Cultural heritage and Country are critically important for Muntulgura Guruma people, and are deeply interlinked. Muntulgura Guruma people are immensely proud of their cultural heritage.
They are fiercely protective of their environment, water, and rich and complex archaeological sites that date back over 50,000 years, painted and engraved rock art, and their deep connection with the pastoral stations.
