Barengi Gadjin Land Council hosted a meeting in October last year open to Wotjobaluk people – including Jaadwa, Jadwadjali, Wergaia and Jupagalk persons – to have their say on whether the claim should proceed.

The groups formed a joint claim as the Gariwerd Native Title Group. Barengi Gadjin Land Council, Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owner Aboriginal Corporation and Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation represent the traditional owners who claim interests in the park.

Leaders Jennifer Beer, Denise Lovett and Jamie Lowe issued a joint statement after lodging the claim in the federal court on Monday.

“Gariwerd is a special place for all of us. It forms the heart of many of our shared creation stories and is rich in Aboriginal heritage with over 80 per cent of Victoria’s rock art sites,” the statement read. 

“It’s vital that this claim is successful so that we, as the traditional owners, can play a real role in protecting our heritage for everyone to enjoy.”

The application is the first native title claim over the Grampians.

Barengi Gadjin Land Council director Brett Harrison said discussions with the state government over the complexities of the claim would take some time.

“We hope those discussions can start sooner rather than later,” he said.

“We see this as a stepping stone in having more input into the management of the park and the preservation of its cultural heritage.

“Gariwerd is such a significant part of country and a spiritual place for traditional owners.”

A Native Title Services Victoria spokesman said the claim was the result of meticulous historical research to prove a continuous connection of each the groups to the park.

“The claim covers 1672 square kilometres of Crown land,” he said.

“The traditional owners will seek to meet with the state government to discuss settlement options.

“If successful, traditional owners will have the right to hunt, camp, fish and care for their traditional country.

“They will also have the right to be consulted about any future developments in the park.”

The spokesman said the claim did not affect anyone else’s existing rights. 

“The public will still be able to access and enjoy the parks in the same ways they always have,” the spokesman said. 

- Wimmera Mail Times