A key Orange Aboriginal group's aim to develop a sustainable 'return to country' business to deliver land management services has received a funding boost from the Cadia Valley Operations.
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Cadia has entered a three-year partnership with the Orange Local Aboriginal Land Council.
It includes funding a natural resources co-ordinator, Lisa Paton, to develop a business model for the Gaambawananha Ngurambang team.
A spokeswoman for Cadia said the team provided a range of services to clients, including Cadia, for tree planting, seed collection, tube stock propagation, ecological burning, fencing, weed control and general maintenance.
She said Cadia was partnering with the Land Council to support the business to become self-sustaining and provide long-term employment for Indigenous people.
The spokeswoman said Ms Paton, the natural resources co-ordinator, has been employed for six months.
Her achievements include identifying business opportunities, expanding the team, securing support and introducing a training and development program.
Cadia general manger Peter Sharpe said Cadia would provide "preferential use of the team's services" including the planting of 5000 trees and shrubs within conservation offset areas, seed collecting for land rehabilitation work plus labour for general work.
"The Gaambawananha Ngurambang team are doing a great job and we look forward to continuing this partnership and the development of this sustainable and profitable business unit," he said.
All areas of Australia, except for Orange, are celebrating NAIDOC Week this week.
Due to our cold winters Orange's NAIDOC Week 2019 will start in late October.
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