Country is the central pillar of our work and strategy because healthy Country means healthy community.
The Aboriginal concept of Country recognises the intrinsic interconnectedness of everything. It encompasses all aspects of the landscape, mountains, the sky, the sea, rivers, plants, animals, stories, fire, places, people, everything. Caring for Country is intrinsically holistic.
Country first is the guiding principle for our Traditional Owner knowledge holders. Our work to embed culture on Country supports Traditional Owner decision making in policy and respects over 40,000 years of lived experience on Country.
Our work on Country recognises the knowledge, rights and responsibilities of Traditional Owners. We work in the following areas to embed Traditional Owner voices in management of Country.