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MUNUNJALI GREEN ARMY TEAM LAUNCHED AT VERESDALE SCRUB

A group of eight aboriginal  young men and women began a 16 week paid work and training program on Tuesday 1 July 2009 with the launch of the Mununjali Green Army Team at the Bilarabyn Reserve, Gleneagle. The project, lead by Mick Morris from BoysTown is the first team funded under the Queensland Government's 'Queensland Green Army' election commitment. Funded by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) the initiative is a joint project between the Mununjali Elders of Beaudesert, the Logan and Albert Conservation Association (LACA), South East Queensland Traditional Owners Alliance Limited (SEQTOA), BoysTown and the Scenic Rim Regional Council.

Mulunjali_Green_Army_TeamwAunties Nannette (Bene) Currie and Bonny Currie were also present for the first day of the project to support the young people.

Nannette said "It is so important to give our young people the chance to learn how to work on country and give them a better chance of getting local work".

Lyn Schonefeld from BoysTown and Carla Parker and Andy Grodecki were also there to wish the team well.

The Mununjali Green Army Team will undertake work at the Bilarabyn Reserve which contains endangered Veresdale Scrub vegetation.  The project will follow the Bilarabyn Reserve Restoration Management Plan as part of the "Rescue Action for the Veresdale Scrub Strategic Plan 2006 - 2016"  under the oversight of the LACA Veresdale Scrub Project Manager Carla Parker and Officers from Scenic Rim Regional Council. 

The team will learn how to control weeds (particularly Lantana), to foster re-generation of the  rainforest and to revegetate the cleared areas.  This will help to recreate a small area of the Veresdale Scrub for future generations to use, whilst giving the participants real work skills in land management and conservation.  

The group will be given training to Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management and will undertake wildlife surveys, plant native trees and install an irrigation system.  BoysTown will provide a program which will include accredited vocational training, life skills training, employment preparation and provision of support to the participants from the Elders. The project will help restore some of the Veresdale Scrub; improve passive recreational access; increase the ability of the community to undertake on ground action; and increase the awareness and understanding of the natural and cultural values of the Veresdale Scrub area.

Andy Grodecki President of LACA said "The project will help the young people get jobs and help the environment. We look forward to a long and productive partnership with the traditional owners and the other parties in the project. If anyone would like to volunteer to help with the Veresdale Scrub project please contact Carla Parker on 0408 785 448 or go to www.laca.org.au"   

Read 4778 times Last modified on Wednesday, 24 July 2019 04:43