Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) is pleased to announce Ash Hurd has been awarded the inaugural Wayne Tennant Cadetship.
Wayne headed up the Goulburn Broken CMA’s waterway programs for more than 15 years. After a long battle with ill-health, Wayne passed away on August 4, 2015.
“The cadetship was established to reflect Wayne’s commitment to supporting engagement and educational opportunities for Traditional Owners in caring for the catchment’s land, water and biodiversity,” Goulburn Broken CMA CEO Chris Norman said.
“Ash has been with Yorta Yorta’s Woka Wolla crew for the past two years. His quiet, focussed approach to leading the team as it carries out works such as fencing, pest animal and plant control and cultural assessments across Yorta Yorta country, makes him a deserving recipient of the inaugural Wayne Tennant Cadetship.”
The cadetship provides financial support to the recipient to complete diploma or further level studies in natural resource management (NRM); help with community-based programs; complete work placements within the NRM industry; and mentor and coach other young Indigenous people.
“Being involved in Woka Wolla and receiving this cadetship has been life changing,” Mr Hurd said. “I love working on Country and have really enjoyed gaining a better understanding of my culture. The cadetship will help me balance my work, family and studies and provide me with the skills and confidence to share new knowledge with my work team and encourage other young people to continue their education.”
Mr Hurd was awarded the cadetship during recent NAIDOC Week celebrations at Barmah.
“We were pleased to be part of these celebrations and thrilled that Wayne’s wife Sue, daughter Amanda, son Mitchell and extended family were able to attend the presentation and meet Ash,” Mr Norman said.
Amanda said the family was proud that Wayne’s legacy in natural resource management would continue to be recognised and wished Ash well with his career and studies.
The cadetship, which will be awarded every two years, is supported by the Goulburn Broken CMA, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Taungurung Clans Aboriginal Corporation through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.