In mid May, members of Jali Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC), partner organisations and the public gathered to acknowledge the achievements of Indigenous team members.

EnviTE has provided accredited training and mentoring to the team, who are working on site at Seven Mile Beach, near Lennox Head.

This important Indigenous training and restoration project, which has been running for just over a year, has been implemented by EnviTE in partnership with Jali LALC.

Members of the team received their certificate II in conservation and land management at the field day.

EnviTE's training co-ordinator Stuart Hanna sang the team's praises as he handed over their certificates, "These lads have grown immeasurably since we commenced work. They are taking pride in their work and relishing working on Bundjalung country." 

"They have gained valuable work experience in the restoration industry, and as you can see, they are having a noticeable impact on the vegetation threatening this high conservation value site," he continued.

Ashley Moran, Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water Aboriginal Sites Officer, presented an introduction to Bundjalung Country and an overview of the cultural history of the area.

He spoke about future site awareness training for the crew which will highlight the presence of artefacts and other signs of Aboriginal culture which may be encountered when carrying out bush regeneration activities.

Jali LALC have partnered with EnviTE to implement the project which is funded by the NSW Environmental Trust, with a $100,000 investment over three years.

The Northern Rivers Catchment Management authority has provided $35,000 for a Green Team project, and another Indigenous Green Team contract is planned for 2010/11 to augment works on the site.

The Jali Indigenous Green team- Clarence Kelly, Nelson Rhodes, Madison Sines, Carl Bolt, Michael Roberts, EnviTE Training Co-ordinator Stuart Hanna and Jali LALC CEO Veronica Williams.