Year In Review — 2022-23 | Page 24

STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3 : GREAT GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP
Empowering Traditional Owner leadership
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3 : GREAT GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP
Empowering Traditional Owner leadership
Traditional Owner Management Group
NQ Dry Tropics continued supporting and facilitating the NQ Dry Tropics Traditional Owner Management Group ( TOMG ) – a forum for representatives from 14 Traditional Owner groups to collaborate , and provide cultural direction and advice about Traditional Owners ’ aspirations for land and sea country management , and engagement .
Formed in 2003 , this group of leaders has been the cornerstone of NQ Dry Tropics ’ engagement with Traditional Owners . It meets regularly to share ideas , knowledge and resources , discuss projects with NQ Dry Tropics staff and provide guidance on cultural matters .
A TOMG meeting and morning tea held with NQ Dry Tropics staff during National Reconciliation Week 2023 provided an opportunity to discuss how reconciliation could be put into action .
The TOMG , with the NQ Dry Tropics Reconciliation Action Plan working group , has guided development of the NQ Dry Tropics Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan , due to be launched in late 2023 .

Facilitated 5

meetings of the Traditional Owner Management Group
( Below ): TOMG member Reg Kerr ( Gudjala ) chats with Biodiversity Project Officer Jake Bowyer at a Reconciliation Week morning tea .
( Right ): TOMG members Phil Rist ( Nywaigi ), Virginia Wyles ( Wulgurukaba ), and Dorothy Savage ( Birriah ).
24 NQ Dry Tropics