The weekend of the 3rd and 4th of June 2023 saw members of the Woppaburra TUMRA Aboriginal Corporation and the Woppaburra Saltwater Aboriginal Corporation come together to create a cultural awareness video.
The project, that was funded through Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area Reef Joint Field Management Program, aimed to create a video that will act as a tool that Woppaburra can use to raise awareness of their cultural perspectives when it comes to their Sea Country.
Participant, WSAC Director Debbie Witteman said ” This video is about making people aware of who we are and that we are still here taking care of Country. Country is more than just a place for us.. it is our spiritual home.
One of the most effective ways to ensure the health of the reef is to educate the public about Woppaburra green zones. Education on the locations of these zones, what is permitted within these zones and why they are protected is the big key, in compliance it is not all about fines. It is important to note that Marine Parks Officers are recognised as authorised officers under the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act.
The public can download the Eye on the Reef App and it will tell you what zone you are in and what is allowed… and it also works out of mobile range.”
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) Principal Ranger Dave Orgill said,` This has been a great opportunity for QPWS to collaborate with the Woppaburra People to acknowledge their cultural connection to land and sea country and be able to share their cultural connection to Woppaburra land and sea country to visitors and broader community. QPWS thanks the Woppaburra People for making this video to be shared.”
Special thanks to the Konomie Island Environmental Education Centre for their support of this project.
To view the video click here
