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SERVICES

As Wadawurrung Traditional Owners, we live by Bundjil’s lore to care for Country and all things living as our Ancestors have always done. Our Dja (Country), is more than a place. Our coastal cliffs, wetlands, grassy and volcanic plains, and people were all formed by Bundjil and our Ancestor spirits who continue to live in the land, water and sky. Country is filled with relations speaking language, sharing stories and following lore. We are determined to ensure our cultural authority for making decisions on looking after our Country is recognised and respected. We want to see cultural knowledge as the basis for this management of Country knowing this will help heal our Country and people, for us and for the benefit of everyone living on, visiting and enjoying Wadawurrung Country.

 

This organisation, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC), was registered in 1998 and appointed in May 2009 as a Registered Aboriginal Party with statutory rights and under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. This means we are the legally recognised corporation for working with as Custodians, decision makers and knowledge holders for looking after our cultural heritage and Country.

 

We continue to be on Country, conducting ceremonies, dancing and singing in language. We are educating the broader community and retelling the stories of history in our Country to provide a richer understanding of how important our people have been and continue to be in the formation and functioning of modern-day Victoria.

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Please find the customer credit application form here.

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We offer a variety of services on Wadawurrung Country.

Cultural Heritage Services

Cultural Heritage Services facilitate the cultural heritage approvals for the development of infrastructure on Wadawurrung Country. We also produce our own Cultural Values Assessments (CVAs).

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Services we provide:

  • Cultural Heritage Assessments

  • Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) related business

  • Coordinate field staff for groundworks

  • Organise meetings between sponsors and the RAP

  • Landscaping and Plant Selection

  • Construction Methodology

  • Liaise with Government Departments on behalf of Developers

  • Negotiate Public Open Space Requirements

  • Permit Applications

  • Provide Statutory Advice on Legislative Requirements for Local Government

  • Cultural Heritage Agreements

  • Land Management Consultancy with Catchment Authorities and Local Government Departments

  • Salvage and Repatriation of Ancestral Remains and Artefacts

  • Advice on the Preservation of Aboriginal Culture

  • Cultural Heritage Awareness Inductions

  • Provide Employment for Aboriginal Community Members

  • Cultural Values Assessments

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You can see information around fees for these Cultural Heritage services here.

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Information and forms for Consultants

Information and forms for Sponsors

Welcome to Country & Traditional Ceremonies

A Welcome to Country is a traditional custom observed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The purpose of a Welcome to Country is to Welcome people onto the Country where an event or gathering is taking place. Traditionally this would be an opportunity to teach newcomers of any rules or expectations of the Traditional Owners.

 

A Welcome to Country can be held with or without an accompanying Smoking Ceremony, Traditional Dance and/or Didgeridoo performance. A Smoking Ceremony is conducted to clear the air and welcome people to our Country, and also offer healing and connection to Country and land.

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While the Didgeridoo is not a traditional instrument on Wadawurrung Country, we recognise its importance to many First Nations people. We offer Digeridoo performances as an accompanying service to our Welcome to Country ceremonies.

Cultural Education

Cultural Education sessions include a Welcome to Country and are designed for groups of up to 30 people.

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Cultural Education Sessions can be booked for durations of between 1 and 6 hours across set locations on Wadawurrung Country divided into the following areas:

  • Djilang (Geelong)

  • Ballawiyn (The Bellarine)

  • The Surf Coast and Great Ocean Road

  • Ballaarat (Ballarat)

Corporate Education

Corporate Education includes Cultural Awareness, Customised Training and On Country Cultural Immersion Experiences.

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Corporate Education Services are for businesses, groups, and government agencies that require customised cultural awareness training and on Country cultural immersion experiences to support their organisational, operational and strategic needs. This type of booking involves an initial discovery call and /or consultation to discuss your needs – and the development of a customised training experience.

Cultural Consultation

Cultural Consultation includes Cultural Advice, Document Reviews, Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) packages, Policy Advice, Arts and Design advice. 

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Please note that consultations about Interpretative Signage are on hold while we seek resources for an Interpretative Signage Officer position. Wadawurrung Language Consultations (for namings, translations and other Language projects) are also on hold while we complete a priority Wadawurrung Language research project. We expect to reopen this service early in 2025. We thank you for your patience while we build resources and capacity.

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As the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) on Wadawurrung Country, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC) is the only recognised body that can offer Traditional Owner Cultural advice on Wadawurrung Country. 
 

Gobata Dja - Caring for Country

​Gobata Dja (Caring for Country) Cultural Consultation and Project Development includes advice and guidance around Biodiversity, Water, Cultural Fire, Sea and Coastal Country, Pollution, Climate Action, Renewable Energy and other related land and water management. Wadawurrung also have a field services team and nursery. Plant orders and advice along with on-ground services such as pest plant and animal control.  A copy of our on-ground services can be found here. 
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You can also request consultations around project and partnership development with the Gobata Dja General Manager and relevant Project Officers through this booking form - please book a 'Project and Partnership Initiation' meeting. 

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