Reconciliation 2024

The Cooee office sits by the banks of the Murray River, at the foothills of the Snowy Mountains, on Ngarigo country, at the bottom of the Western Slopes of NSW.

This land is in my blood, at the expense of Ngarigo/Wolgalu lives and culture. The Country has been severely changed. The word ‘cooee’ originates from the Dharug language (and possibly surrounding languages). I wish to extend my respect, and a sincere desire to learn and heal with the Country I live and work on, and all the traditional custodians of the lands on which I practice, including the Ngarigo, Wiradjuri, Ngunnawal, and Jaitmatang peoples, and their elders.

Below you will see our Reconciliation intentions, as well as a transparent record of past work done. We welcome you to reach out with any suggestions or comments.

2024 goals:

  • 2024 compulsory CPD activity yet to be decided

  • Read a hyper-local piece of historical research that was shared with me (confidentially)

  • Introduce relevant CPD into employee ‘self-development’ time

  • Continue work with Bird Life Australia (see below)

Reading list:

2023 action taken:

  • Read ‘Design, Building on Country’ part of the First Knowledges series. By Alison Page, Paul Memmott and Margo Neale.

  • Work with Bird Life Australia survey sites and planned regeneration sites on our property to increase my knowledge of country, flora and fauna.

  • For new builds on rural land, our standard process is to include discussion in the planning process for both a house project site and a biodiversity project site. The biodiversity site is intended as a plot of land to regenerate and invest in as a project for Country*, alongside the project that is for the client’s house brief. This a small step in attempting to partially offset the effects of claiming land for a new building by giving something back to Country* . This is listed under reconciliation because it’s currently my best understanding of how to Design with Country, as I deepen my knowledge on this subject. *I generally don’t use this word elsewhere because my understanding of the notion of Country is in its infancy and I don’t wish to commit cultural appropriation. I use it here only to indicate my intention to layer my biodiversity efforts with deeper understanding of, and respect for, historical cultural knowledge.

  • Attended a local cultural history tour in the Upper Murray region.

  • Presented on a panel at the Growing Wirlinga Thurgoona industry session, and spoke about my understanding of designing with Country in mind. See a short clip here.

  • Attended Parlour Deadly Djurumin Yarn, ‘Lipstick on a Wombat’

  • Read Architecture Australia’s Dossier ‘What Can Non-Indigenous Designers Do?’ edited by Daniele Hromek.