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)
(‘Eastern Maar Native Title Claim’).
On 28 March 2023, the Eastern Maar Peoples native title rights and interests were recognised by the
Federal Court of Australia through a Consent Determination over the uncontested portions depicted
in the map below. The uncontested portions are those within the boundary shown that are not
shaded and/or marked either ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D’ or ‘E’.
The shaded area to the west marked ‘C’ is referred to as ‘Area C’. On 19 October 2022, the
Gunditjmara Native Title Claim (VID620/2022) was lodged in the Federal Court of Australia and
overlaps Area C. The Court has ordered the Gunditjmara Native Title Claim (VID620/2022) be heard
at the same time as the Eastern Maar Native Title Claim, because both applications claim native title
rights and interests in Area C. To resolve this, the applications are listed for hearing in the Federal
Court, commencing 1 May 2023.
The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether native title rights and interests over Area C
should be held by both the Eastern Maar People and the Gunditjmara People (as defined in the
Gunditjmara Native Title Claim (VID620/2022)).
This is a meeting for the native title claim group to receive legal advice about the hearing and make
decisions regarding it.
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
and/or Gadubanud and are recognised as being from the eastern domain by the Eastern Maar
people.
AUTHORISATION MEETING
WHEN: Thursday 20 April 2023
WHERE: 20 April 2023, Lighthouse Theatre, 185 Timor St, Warrnambool VIC 3280
TIME: 10.00 AM – 12.00PM
The purposes of the Authorisation Meeting are to:
- CONSIDER legal advice regarding the upcoming Court hearing for Area C and the Eastern
Maar peoples’ options in relation to it. - PASS any necessary resolutions to give effect to decisions arising from 1, above, including
AUTHORISING any potential necessary changes to the native title claim.
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 17 April 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 17 April 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 17 April 2023.
You can view the full notice at this link.
