The Eastern Maar traditional owners have achieved a significant victory with the formal recognition of their land rights by the Federal Court of Australia. The Eastern Maar people had been seeking this native title decision since 2012.
The Eastern Maar's country encompasses the coastline of the Great Ocean Road up to Ararat. The native title determination acknowledges the deep connection and intrinsic relationship the Eastern Maar people have with their country in south-western Victoria. The decision recognises their rights to access and use their land, as well as the protection of public land according to their traditional law and custom.
This native title determination is a historic milestone in the reconciliation process in Australia, and it marks the first time in a decade that such a decision has been reached in Victoria. At a temporary courtroom on a clifftop in Warrnambool, the Eastern Maar people celebrated this momentous occasion.
Justice Bernard Murphy, who presided over the case, wrote in his decision that:
"The court's recognition that the Determination Area is and always was the country of the Eastern Maar peoples is another significant step forward for them and for the surrounding community".
Read the Federal Court decision
Photo credit: ABC South West Vic.