Current Articles:
Change of name
At the 2024 AGM, members confirmed the change of the Aboriginal Corporation name from Melythina Tiakana Warrana to Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana (Heart of Country) Aboriginal Corporation. MTWAC is updating all documentation and accounts, which may take some time.
Indigenous Ranger Program Expansion Funding Grant
11 November 2024
Melythina Tiakana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation (MTWAC) has been successful in a significant multi-million-dollar federal funding grant to expand its Aboriginal Tebrakunna Ranger Program.
For MTWAC this funding grant will allow the Tebrakunna Rangers to expand to 11 full-time Aboriginal Rangers working on country on the North East of Tasmania with its operational base at Cape Portland. MTWAC Chair Nick Cameron says, “This will be a game changer for our MTWAC community, we will have the budget to guarantee full time employment for 11 Aboriginal people working on our traditional lands of what we now call the Coastal Plains Nation”. The expanded Tebrakunna Ranger Program will include both men’s and women’s work groups to increase the numbers of Aboriginal women rangers.
You can read the full media release, here.
Breathing in Mannalargenna
Melythina Tiakana Warrana (Heart of Country) Aboriginal Corporation supports people to understand and reconnect with the culture and history of north-east Tasmania.
First, the big picture
The scientific view is that Aboriginal people walked from mainland Australia to Trouwunna/Loetrouwitter (Tasmania) over forty thousand years ago—twenty-eight thousand years before the sea rose to create the island.
Tasmania’s first people believed that they were created by two spirit beings who came from the stars near Orion’s Belt. They travelled across the Milky Way to this island where they built the mountains, cut the rivers with their stone tools and made all living things, including the people, animals and plants, out of the ground.
To read more, go to – https://www.oric.gov.au/publications/spotlight/breathing-mannalargenna
Aboriginal warrior: Tasmanians commemorate the anniversary of Mannalargenna’s death
By Rhiannon Shine, Published in ABC Online; December 4, 2016
“The life of one of Tasmania’s greatest “unsung heroes”, Aboriginal warrior Mannalargenna, has been celebrated 181 years after his death.
Many Tasmanian Aboriginal people can trace their lineage back to Mannalargenna, a revered warrior and clan-leader during the island state’s colonial settlement.
He was also one of the key negotiators and diplomats involved in convincing Aboriginal people to leave their country and travel to Wybalenna on Flinders Island in 1834 rather than continue suffering attacks from the British settlers.
A small gathering was held to remember Mannalargenna on December 4, 2015, the 180th anniversary of his death.
Numbers of people jumped this year, and they celebrated Mannalargenna Day with traditional dancing, music and food at the Tebrakunna Visitors Centre at Little Musselroe Bay.” You can read the full article here.
Senator Richard Colbeck – Opening up a world of learning opportunities
5 November, 2015
Source: http://www.richardcolbeck.com.au/2015_media_releases/opening-up-a-world-of-learning-opportunities-
Hundreds of Australian and international students will undertake a highly prized international study experience with today’s announcement of the Australian Government’s Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships for 2016.
Minister for Tourism and International Education, Senator Richard Colbeck, said the Endeavour Scholarships and Fellowships are significant study opportunities that promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia and our neighbours.
“These scholarships will support 500 international students to study in Australia and 198 Australian students to further their skills and knowledge overseas while building their international awareness.
“This includes ten recipients who will undertake an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong Research Fellowship which is made possible through financial support from the Cheung Kong Group.
“The Australian Government recognises the importance of international education to Australia’s ongoing social, cultural and economic growth. It also generates important people-to-people links that underpin Australia’s research, trade, investment and social engagement with the world
“Earlier this year we released the Draft National Strategy for International Education which sets a detailed course for sustainable and continued growth in Australia’s world-class education system.
“Part of our vision for a world-class education system is increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students – it is encouraging to see indigenous student Emma Lee of Tasmania has received a Fellowship to study in Spain.
“Emma, who studies at the University of Tasmania, is currently investigating how Aboriginal and other Tasmanians can work together to promote shared approaches to conservation.
Senator Colbeck also highlighted the achievement of Katherine Benfer from the University of Queensland who was awarded the prestigious Endeavour Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship.
“The scholarship will enable Ms Benfer to carry out Post-Doctoral research in Bangladesh at Shishu Children’s Hospital in the area of cerebral palsy rehabilitation therapies for children.
“She will utilise her established clinical and research skills to contribute positively towards individuals who are disadvantaged within society, in particular reducing the burden of disability in low-resource settings.
Applications for the 2017 Endeavour Scholarship and Fellowship round open in April 2016.
View the 2016 recipients online at http://internationaleducation.gov.au/endeavourrecipients