Uncle Freddie Dowling has pleaded with Indi’s election candidates to help him preserve this history of the Pangerang people.
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The Aboriginal elder has fought for about 20 years, but the Victorian government recognises the Yorta Yorta people as the North East’s registered Aboriginal party.
“In the ranges, there an ancient Aboriginal burial ground – it’s a Pangerang country and there’s signs saying Yorta Yorta,” he said.
“People haven’t learned, they’re just killing us again.”
Liberal candidate Sophie Mirabella said maps going back to the 1860s proved the Indigenous people’s claims.
“Changing history is one of the worst crimes, the local Pangerang people have suffered enough,” she said.
Green Jenny O’Connor called for an end to the state government registering parties.
“It’s unfair, it should be about self-determination … this is a really good example of how when governments get involved in the business of Indigenous people, they get it wrong,” she said.
Cathy McGowan told Wednesday’s Victorian Farmers Federation forum money allocated two years ago for the Pangerang and Yorta Yorta people to negotiate seemed to have been held up in the system.
“That needs to be fast-tracked … there’s uniform agreement here that it needs to be addressed and quickly,” she said.
Labor’s Eric Kerr said he was happy to “wear any wrongdoings” by the Victorian Labor government and committed to listening to Mr Dowling’s issues.
“That’s the least I can do,” he said.
An emotional Mr Dowling thanked the candidates for their commitments to listen.
