29 March 2023, Logans Beach Warrnambool, Logans Beach Rd,
Warrnambool.
Background
The Eastern Maar Peoples have made a claimant application to the Federal Court of Australia
seeking recognition of their native title rights and interests under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth)
(‘NTA’). The claim is called Ivan Couzens & Ors on behalf of the Eastern Maar Peoples (VID21/2019)
(‘Native Title Claim’).
The native title claim area is depicted in the below map. The uncontested portions are those within
the boundary shown that are not shaded and/or marked either ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘E’. The Eastern
Maar Peoples native title rights and interests to the uncontested portions will be recognised by the
Federal Court of Australia through a Consent Determination on 28 March 2023 at LOCATION.
This is an authorisation meeting to consider authorising an amendment to the native title claim to:
ensure that Eastern Maar Peoples native title rights and interests can be recognised over
park areas in the native title claim area. If approved, these areas, can be included in a future
determination of native title.
exclude the old Terrinallum homestead from the claim as part of a proposed settlement with
the Wadawurrung claimants and respondents.
It is also proposed to ask the claim group to consider options to reach agreement with certain
Indigenous respondent parties over contested areas ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘D’ and ‘E’ in the Native Title Claim area.
THIS NOTICE INVITES all members of the native title claim group as described below to attend the
native title Authorisation Meeting at the date time and location below.
The native title claim group is the Eastern Maar peoples, being those descendants, including by
adoption, of the following persons:
- King of Port Fairy and Eliza
- Old Jack (father of John Dawson)
- Charlie and Alice (parents of Albert Austin)
- Samuel Robinson
- Mary Caramut
- Lizzie (mother of Frank Clarke)
- Robert and Lucy (parents of Alice Dixon)
- Barney Minimalk
- Nellie Whiturboin
- Louisa (mother of Williams Rawlings)
- Richard Sharp
Who:
(i) either identify as being from the eastern domain of the Maar speaking people and are recognised
as being from the eastern domain by the Eastern Maar people; or
(ii) otherwise identify as Maar, Gunditjmara, Tjap Wurrung, Peek Whurrung, Keeray Wooroong
(Kirrae Whurrung), Kuurn Kopan Noot, Yarro Waetch (Tooram Tribe), Djargurd Wurrung, Gulidjan
peaster001_000829_473.docx
and/or Gadubanud and are recognised as being from the eastern domain by the Eastern Maar
people.
Map of Native Title Claim area
AUTHORISATION MEETING
WHEN: Wednesday 29 March 2023
WHERE: Logans Beach, Logans Beach Road, Warrnambool VIC
TIME: 10.00 AM-12pm
The purposes of the Authorisation Meeting are to:
CONFIRM the Eastern Maar native title group decision making process for Full Group
Meetings/Authorisation Meetings of the Native Title Claim group.
Consider AUTHORISING amendments to Schedules B, E and L of the Form 1 to include park
areas within the native title claim that can be subject to the operation of section 47C of the
Native Title Act 1993.
CONSIDER amending the external boundary of the claim area to exclude the old Terrinallum
homestead.
The purposes of the meeting are also for the native title claim group to:
CONSIDER options to reach agreement with certain Indigenous respondent parties over
contested areas in the Native Title Claim area, in particular in relation to the areas marked A,
B, D and E.
PASS any necessary Resolutions to give effect to decisions made in relation to 4, above.
DISCUSS Eastern Maar’s selection process for a reserved seat on First Peoples’ Assembly of
Victoria.
IMPORTANT
There is a preference that people attend the Authorisation Meeting in person.
Access via videoconference will be provided to those that cannot attend on the day.
To attend online please email or contact details to Community Liaison Officer Charmaine Singleton on
0407 532 887 or charmaine.singleton@fnlrs.com.au by COB 24 March 2023.
Please contact Community Liaison Officer Charmaine Singleton on 0407 532 887 or
charmaine.singleton@fnlrs.com.au to confirm your current contact details by COB 24 March 2023.
Materials and videoconferencing links will be sent ahead of the session by Charmaine.
For travel and accommodation assistance, where required for you to attend this meeting, please contact
Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation Administration Officer Katie Clark on 0427 271 937 or
admin@easternmaar.com.au by COB 24 March 2023
You can view the full notice at this link.
