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Media Statement - 7 December 2004
Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation
Response to Protest at Lake Condah Mission
Media Statement - 7 December 2004
Background.
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Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation (WMAC) is an Indigenous community controlled organisation based in Heywood, Victoria.
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WMAC was established in 1991 and has grown successfully over the past 12 years with the support of its community members.
Housing at Lake Condah Mission.
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WMAC has never made an application to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission for funding to construct housing at Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission.
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WMAC has never been in receipt of funding to construct housing at the Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission.
Tourism at Lake Condah Mission.
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WMAC ceased offering accommodation to tourists and visitors two months ago due to people living at Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission.
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WMAC, through Budj Bim Tours, still offers interpretative tours to the remains of the original structures at the Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission.
Management of Lake Condah Mission.
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WMAC has a management contract with the State Government of Victoria to maintain services to the Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission site while the Kerrup Jmara Elders Corporation is in liquidation.
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WMAC understands that the Kerrup Jmara Elders Corporation liquidation status is the responsibility of the Victorian State Government. The Commonwealth government also has responsibilities for the Lake Condah Mission through the Aboriginal Land (Lake Condah and Framlingham Forest) Act 1987.
Protest action at Lake Condah Mission.
- WMAC is not a part of the current protest action at Lake Condah Mission.
- WMAC does not have a precise understanding of what the protest action is for except for what is featured in the media.
- WMAC suggests that members of the media contact Keith Saunders and Elizabeth King direct.
Community & Government Meeting.
- WMAC sent an invitation to Hon. Gavin Jennings, Victorian Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Senator Amanda Vanstone, Commonwealth Minister for Aboriginal Affairs to inform the local Indigenous community of the current status of Kerrup Jmara Elders Corporation.
- The meeting with Minister Jennings and Senator Vanstone is scheduled for Monday 13 December 2004 at Lake Condah Aboriginal Mission.
Mr. Denis Rose, WMAC CEO, said 'The protest action at Lake Condah Mission by individual people does not have the endorsement of the full Kerrup Jmara clan. The State and Commonwealth Government need to inform the local Aboriginal community of the status of the government's management responsibilities at the Lake Condah Mission'.
Mr. Rose said 'We have invited the State Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Commonwealth Minister for Indigenous affairs to meet with our community next Monday 13 December 2004. The responsibility for the management of Lake Condah Mission rests with government until it resolves the current situation and hands back management responsibilities to the community'.
