Elders Advisory Group
The Noongar Elders Advisory Group was established in 2013 to provide advice and guidance to Wheatbelt NRM’s Aboriginal NRM team. The primary aim is to provide opinion and cultural guidance on strategic planning and development of programs. This group is made up of 10 respected Wheatbelt community members with substantive traditional knowledge that represent local, traditional Noongar families. This group has been a driving force behind the Aboriginal NRM’s action plans which are the guiding framework to enabling the communities ongoing participation in natural resource management.
To further engage the community, the Mooditj Boodja Environmental Award was developed by the Elders Advisory Group. This award is available to primary and high school students within the Wheatbelt NRM catchment area. These are presented at end of year school presentation ceremonies to a student who demonstrates participation in Noongar language, care for the environment and culture matters or a combination of the three.
Schools in the catchment area are contacted at the beginning of Term 4 each year.
Action Plan
The current action plan in place is the Koort Boodjar – Mia Boodjar (My Heartland – My Homeland). This action plan touches on five key areas.
Recording traditional kaatdijin (knowledge) for natural resource management.
Traditional kaatdijin is recorded for future generations and is shared with the whole community to celebrate Noongar culture.Use of Noongar language
Sharing Noongar language and stories to create greater awareness of Noongar culture and spirituality while creating a broader understanding of the traditional and contemporary history of the area.Access to significant sites
Appropriate access to significant sites enables Noongar people to reconnect spiritually to sites of cultural significance and delivers successful action to heal Boodjar.Economic opportunities in natural resource management.
The creation of economic opportunities in natural resource management for Noongar people is gaining momentum. Provide opportunities for developing Aboriginal livelihoods through work on Country.Meaningful discussion
Effective management for improved environmental health depends on mutual understanding of its environmental, scientific and cultural uses as seen from a range of perspectives and based on mutual trust and respect.
This is a five year action plan to be reviewed in 2026.
