11:30am (following the Corporation’s AGM), Friday 16 February 2024, Harris Street Reserve, 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 Janice Austin & Ors on behalf of the Eastern Maar Peoples (VID21/2019) (‘Native Title Claim’). On 28 March 2023 the Federal Court of Australia recognised the Eastern Maar peoples native title over a large part of the Native Title Claim area. This area is outlined in purple in the below map. The Federal Court is expected to recognise the Eastern Maar peoples native title over the areas outlined in blue and marked as Areas 1, 2 & 3 in the below map. The area to the west of the Hopkins River to the Shaw River (‘Area C’), which is included but not marked in the below map, is also part of the Native Title Claim area.
This is an authorisation meeting to consider authorising the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation (‘the Corporation’) to make native title decisions about land and waters which fall within any and all current and future Eastern Maar Traditional Owner Group’s Native Title Determination Areas and in relation to any other area of Eastern Maar Country.
An update will also be provided on other matters concerning the Native Title Claim, as outlined further below.
The Corporation has called its Annual General Meeting (‘AGM’) for the same date and location. The AGM will take place before this Authorisation Meeting.
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:
1. King of Port Fairy and Eliza
2. Old Jack (father of John Dawson)
3. Charlie and Alice (parents of Albert Austin)
4. Samuel Robinson
5. Mary Caramut
6. Lizzie (mother of Frank Clarke)
7. Robert and Lucy (parents of Alice Dixon)
8. Barney Minimalk
9. Nellie Whiturboin
10. Louisa (mother of Williams Rawlings)
11. 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 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: Friday 16 February 2024
WHERE: Harris Street Reserve, Warrnambool
TIME: 11:30am (following the Corporation’s AGM)
The purpose of the Authorisation Meeting is to:
1. Consider AUTHORISING the Corporation to make native title decisions about land and waters which fall within any and all current and future Eastern Maar Traditional Owner Group’s Native Title Determination areas and in relation to any other area of Eastern Maar Country, by:
a. Consulting with each family group in accordance with the process set out in the Corporation’s Rule Book; or
b. For other native title decisions, including arbitration by the National Native Title Tribunal, by giving standing authorisation to the Corporation to make these decisions without further consultation with Eastern Maar native title holders; or
c. In accordance with a different process as agreed by the common law holders (Eastern Maar Peoples) at the meeting.
An update will also be provided on the following matters in the Native Title Claim:
1. The Area C trial.
2. The consent determination of native title over Areas D and E.
3. The recognition of native title over section 47C – Park Areas.
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 contact Community Liaison Officer Charmaine Singleton on 0407 532 887 or charmaine.singleton@fnlrs.com.au by COB 14 February 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 14 February 2023.
