Antinuclear

Top environment award for Top End Aboriginal leader

Australian Conservation Foundation, Dave Sweeney, 5 June 13, Australia’s largest National Park got bigger this year with the inclusion of the unique Koongarra region into the World Heritage listed Kakadu. This achievement – and the man who made it possible – ( Jeffrey Lee, at left, )has been acknowledged in the Australian Conservation Foundation 2013 Rawlinson Award

The Koongarra region is part of the estate of the Djok clan and has extremely high cultural and conservation values and properties. It includes the famous Nourlangie Rock (Burrunggui/Anbangbang) and is important in both the Rainbow Serpent and Lightning storylines.

The senior Traditional Owner Jeffrey Lee has spoken powerfully against uranium mining at Koongarra and consistently rejected pressure from a series of multi-national mining companies, most recently the French nuclear giant Areva, to mine a major uranium deposit on his country.

Uranium mining has long been a source of conflict in Kakadu with Traditional Owners leading campaigns against mining proposals at both Koongarra and Jabiluka. The industry continues to generate headlines and heartache in Kakadu with mining company Energy Resources of Australia currently seeking federal approval to develop a new underground uranium mine at its existing Ranger site.

At the 2010 federal election all major parties agreed to support Jeffrey’s call for Koongarra to be incorporated into Kakadu and in March 2013 Jeffrey Lee finally secured the long term protection of his country stating that it’s inclusion in Kakadu “will ensure that the traditional laws, customs, sites, bush tucker, trees, plants and water stay the same as when they were passed on to me by my father and grandfather”.

For years Jeffrey has patiently and persistently taken his message opposition to uranium mining and his efforts to permanently protect this area from the corridors of Canberra to UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

His tenacity and vision is a powerful reminder of the importance of country and culture and has provided a lasting legacy for all people and time.  ACF is proud to acknowledge Jeffrey’s efforts with a special Rawlinson Award for his outstanding efforts to protect one of Australia’s most special places from the threat of one of Australia’s most contested industrial activities.

June 5, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | aboriginal issues, Northern Territory