On the day Victorian Minister for Agriculture and Regional Development Jaala Pulford visited Lake Condah with Gunditjmara elder Denis Rose, the Great South Coast’s future leaders spent the day ‘on country’ with inspiring future Gunditjmara leader Tyson Lovett-Murray. Tyson, who’s knowledge and wisdom is way beyond his tender years, and his mother Denise Lovett, were the hosts of the Great South Coast Leadership 2017 participants visit to Gunditjmara country.

The visit took in Budj Bim National Park, Lake Condah and the associated weir, Lake Condah Mission, and for some, a visit to Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area. Throughout the day the participants were continually amazed by Tyson’s encyclopedia-like knowledge of his people’s history – their stories, experiences, achievements, losses and suffering. His knowledge of their built history was meticulous, including the operational understanding of the ancient eel traps and location of stone houses.

Similarly, Denise was a wealth of knowledge. Her knowledge however came largely from firsthand experience – experience of prejudice, racism, ignorance and social divide. Of watching her people battle poverty, unemployment, crime and alcoholism. Denise spoke from the heart throughout the day and one of her key messages was that for our nation to move forward and “close the gap” we must first fully and truthfully acknowledge our past.

One of the key messages from Denise and Tyson that shone through on the day was the strong and proud military history of the “fighting Gunditjmara”. Despite the atrocities and persecution suffered by the Gunditjmara people since European settlement, they have served Australia in all major military campaigns from the Boer War to Afghanistan. As the nation prepares to remember the 100th anniversary of the Australian Light Horse charge on Beersheba on October 31, Denise, Tyson and their family will have their own ceremony to remember the event and the role their descendent, Private Frederick Amos Lovett, played in it.

The day closed with an emotional thank you to Denise and Tyson delivered by program participant Leon Carey. “I saw the emotion in your eyes Denise when telling your journey. I saw frustration, pain, trauma in the sharing of your stories. But I also saw passion, joy, drive and compassion” Leon said. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Leon finished and this was a fitting close to a day that inspired, enlightened, challenged, surprised, upset, frustrated, and forever changed all LGSC participants.