Managing Country Together
Aboriginal people have cared for and sustainably managed Victoria’s cultural landscapes for tens of thousands of years. Traditional Owners have both a cultural obligation and a legal right to be custodians of their traditional land and waters, and protect the unique natural and cultural values that they contain.
As manager of over 4 million hectares of Victoria’s parks and reserves, Parks Victoria is proud to have the opportunity to work with Traditional Owners to care for this special Country.
Managing Country Together is how we do this. It is our commitment to strong, meaningful partnerships with Traditional Owners. It is about understanding and respecting Traditional Owner rights and values, taking responsibility for protecting Aboriginal cultural heritage on the parks estate and offering the best support we can to Aboriginal people working in the park management sector.
Through Managing Country Together, we are playing our part to support Aboriginal self-determination. Learn more about the Victorian Government’s commitment to self-determination and improving outcomes for Aboriginal people.
Working in partnership to heal Country
Meet the Djaara Ranger Team
Celebrating NAIDOC Week: 2-9 July 2023
This year’s NAIDOC theme is 'For Our Elders.
NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuous living cultures on earth. Our commitment and long-term vision for park management is to work effectively in partnership with Traditional Owners to heal Country and care for healthy cultural landscapes and cultural heritage.
Working in partnership to heal Gunaikurnai Country
Ponnun Pulgi - Resting Places - Healing Country Together
Healing Country along the Murray River
Working in partnership to heal Dja Dja Wurrung Country
Meet our rangers - Bradd
Meet our rangers - Damien
Managing Country Together Framework
Experience Aboriginal culture in parks
Protecting Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
Partnerships with Traditional Owners
Aboriginal Employment and Wellbeing
Connection to Country: Ranger Ebonee
Connection to Country: Ranger Trent

Protecting Aboriginal Cultural Heritage
As part of the oldest living culture in the world, Aboriginal people have lived throughout Victoria for tens of thousands of years. The landscape holds the memory of these past societies and the story of contemporary Aboriginal peoples through tangible and intangible heritage.

Supporting Aboriginal Employment and Wellbeing
Caring for Country is the fabric of Aboriginal social, spiritual, economic and overall health and wellbeing. Parks Victoria is committed to being a culturally safe workplace, and supporting Aboriginal people to work in the park management sector.

Managing Country Together Framework
Parks Victoria’s Managing Country Together Framework is our blueprint that guides how we work in partnership with Traditional Owners to protect Victoria’s cultural landscapes. It outlines our principles and commitment to recognising and supporting Traditional Owner rights and interests.

Partnerships with Traditional Owners
Strong, respectful and empowering partnerships is at the core of how we work with Traditional Owners. Our approach to partnerships recognises the inherent human rights of Aboriginal people.