Yorta Yorta Youth Journey across the catchment

An initiative of Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA), the Yorta Yorta Youth Journey is taking indigenous youth on a journey of Yorta Yorta country in Victoria and New South Wales.

The journey will take place over 5 days, commencing on Monday 22 November 2010. This will be a unique experience moving across Yorta Yorta country, with limited use of vehicles, hiking and canoeing from the Warby Ranges near Wangaratta to Barmah National Park. Along the way students will engage with Indigenous Parks Vic rangers and with Yorta Yorta Elders in a range of activities aimed at increasing biodiversity knowledge and strengthening connection to country.

The program is focused at all Indigenous youth in Year 9 level at Secondary School, from regions across Yorta Yorta country including Victoria and New South Wales. The program, which is hoped will grow into an annual event, is at no cost to students thanks to the support of the Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Goulburn Broken CMA and partner agencies with funding from the Australian Government. The Fairley Leadership program participants are also involved in program planning, with the vision to expand the journey concept into a multi-cultural youth event in the future.

Yorta Yorta Chairperson and Goulburn Broken CMA Indigenous NRM Facilitator, Neville Atkinson reflects “This program gives us the opportunity to share our knowledge with the young indigenous people of the region. We hope they come away from this journey with a greater knowledge of the biodiversity and an understanding of natural resource management. We are looking forward to being able to strengthen the connection to country for these young people.”

For more information on the Yorta Yorta Youth Journey please contact the Goulburn Broken CMA on 03 5820 1100 or via reception@gbcma.vic.gov.au.