Project Contact Steve Smith
Email ssmith@nmsc.edu.au

The University of New England (Armidale) was the first Australian university established outside a capital city. With a history extending back to the 1920s, UNE has a well-earned reputation in teaching, training and research.

Located at Coffs Harbour, New South Wales, the National Marine Science Centre (NMSC) was established in 2002 as a joint venture between the University of New England and Southern Cross University. This venture was made possible through a Federation Fund Grant to set up a state-of-the-art facility for marine science in subtropical New South Wales. Research conducted through the NMSC is broad-based, focusing on marine sustainability, and the Centre fosters close links with the wider community including all levels of government.

Project Contact Nicola Johnstone
Email nicola.johnstone@environment.nsw.gov.au

The Solitary Islands Marine Park was the first Marine Park declared in New South Wales. It extends from Muttonbird Island at Coffs Harbour, 75 km north to Plover Island at Sandon, and includes the important Solitary Islands group. It is managed by the NSW Marine Parks Authority under a balanced zoning scheme and protects a diverse range of marine plants, animals and their habitat.

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation and the Garby Elders Group
170 Red Rock Road (PO Box 102)
Corindi Beach NSW 2456
Phone (02) 6640 7100
Fax (02) 6640 7199
Email admin@yarrawarra.org.au
Web www.yarrawarra.com

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation was established in the 1980s to provide economic, social and cultural opportunities for the Aboriginal community based at Corindi Beach. After purchasing Lot 170 from the Coffs Harbour and District Local Aboriginal Land Council, the Corporation established a Cultural Centre and leased another portion of land to grow vegetables and set up a workshop.

In the 1990s, Yarrawarra purchased Lot 4, adjacent to Lot 170 on Red Rock Rd. A large number of buildings were then constructed in the area, including Nuralamee Accommodation and Conferencing Centre, which opened in 1999. During this time, Yarrawarra also established a range of partnerships with government agencies, became deeply involved in cultural land management, constructed walkways, conducted weed control and revegetation, and undertook a variety of cultural research and education projects.

The Garby Elders group was established in 1997 to empower the local Aboriginal Traditional Custodians. The Garby Elders have been extremely active with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and other cultural land management agencies to ensure that cultural places and landscapes are protected and cared for.

In the 21st century, Yarrawarra Cultural Centre is striving to become a first-rate cultural ecotourism and education facility with such amenities as the Wadjar Art Shop, the Yuraal Coffee Shop and the Nuralamee Accommodation and Conferencing Centre, and by offering a range of activities and information for day-visitors.

Project Contact Tim Cowan
Email jalumbo1@yarrawarra.org.au

Jalumbo Cultural Heritage Research Unit was established by Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation and the Garby Elders in 2001 to conduct cultural research and training. Since that time, they have been involved in many areas of cultural retention and protection. Jalumbo provides advice to the NSW Marine Parks Authority and to local land managers on both public and private land; conducts cultural heritage surveys, oral history recordings and archive research; and produces public interpretations such as books, reports and signage.

Fax (02) 6652 3936
Web www.northern.cma.nsw.gov.au
Project Contact Darren Murray
Email darren.murray@cma.nsw.gov.au

The Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (Northern Rivers CMA) is one of thirteen CMAs established under the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 and is a statutory authority. In operation since January 2004, the Northern Rivers CMA has a Board composed of 7 members of the northern rivers community reporting directly to the Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. Established to engage regional communities in natural resource management, the CMA has a number of specific roles outlined under the CMA Act. It also has responsibilities under the Native Vegetation Act 2003 and Regulations 2005 and operates within a range of other relevant legislation.