Kingston Beach Coastcare (KBC) and South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation (SETAC) in partnership with Kingborough Council were recognised at the Tasmanian Landcare Awards held at Government House recently.
KBC received the Greyhound Coastcare Award and SETAC and Kingborough Council received the First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award.
The Greyhound Coastcare Award is delivered to community groups or networks that have contributed to the significant improvement of a coastal or marine environment.
“This award is due recognition for the numerous volunteer hours we have put in regularly for 25 years to make a positive and visible difference to the coastal environment at Kingston Beach,” KBC Coordinator Barbara Marshall said.
“It’s incredibly satisfying to connect with others in our community, to work together to make a difference to the place we live in.”
The First Nations Landcare Collaboration Award recognises partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous community groups or individuals to integrate First Nations-led land, sea and water management practices into mainstream landcare efforts.
SETAC Land Management Team Manager James Shaw said they were grateful for the award.
“It’s just being able to be recognised for this partnership,” James said.
“The work that we’ve been doing collectively to help our environment and our community and our biodiversity.
“There’s lots going on.
“Lots of small projects.”
These include Council employing Nicole King as a Trainee Aboriginal Land Management Officer, working on feral cat management, community awareness opportunities and dealing with species diversity.
“This partnership has been profoundly significant for Council’s Natural Areas and Biodiversity team and has provided a deeper understanding of Aboriginal land management practices, including cultural burning, for Council staff,” Kingborough Mayor Paula Wriedt said.
Kingston Beach Coastcare Coordinator Barbara Marshall said she was grateful to all their members who have helped out regularly.
“Many people have come and gone,” Barbara said.
“Others come when they can.
“Each contribution matters.”
Barbara said the Natural Areas and Biodiversity staff at Kingborough Council have also been indispensable to the group.
“We’re so fortunate to have all of their advice and support on tap.”
The South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation’s (SETAC) own partnership with Kingborough Council led to Nicole King begin employed as Council’s Trainee Aboriginal Land Management Officer.
Nicole said she cried when she learned she had been offered the position.
“The whole thing for me was a complete career change,” Nicole said.
After losing work in hospitality due to the COVID pandemic, Nicole completed a Certificate III in Community Services and got a job with SETAC.
Nicole said she hasn’t looked back since.
“It’s a dream job,” Nicole said.
“I get paid to feel Country.”
In her position with Kingborough Council Nicole has expanded her knowledge of land management and plant names, completed weed work and burning assessments for Council and more recently, has been working closely with Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania.
“It’s been a two-way sort of thing from a cultural perspective,” Nicole said, explaining that she and Council have learned from each other.
“I’ve made some lifelong friends and had amazing experiences.
“It’s not just Kingborough Council, it’s working with the Kingborough community.”
