THE Trelawney station at Somerton has a new owner and it is hoped it will give Aboriginal people greater access to country.
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The Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council (TLALC) officially took the reins at the station with an official handover from the Indigenous land and Sea Corporation (ILSC).
LALC chairperson, Harry Cutmore, said the handover was a significant milestone for the Tamworth Aboriginal community.
"Trelawney gives the Aboriginal community important access to traditional country,'' Mr Cutmore said.
Trelawney Station is a 766-hectare mixed farming property which features irrigation and grazing paddocks with Peel River access suitable for sheep and cattle operations, as well as newly refurbished accommodation and conference facilities.
Trelawney gives the Aboriginal community important access to traditional country.
- Harry Cutmore
Over the past 12 months, services have been delivered to more than 80 Indigenous participants at the property, which will now be owned and managed by a local Aboriginal organisation for the benefit of Aboriginal people.
"Over the past five years, we have been able to use the facilities extensively for our school holiday programs, cultural learning days and training programs for high school students, as well as other community events," Mr Cutmore said.
"The assistance we have received in putting our farm management plan and business plan in place will ensure the Tamworth LALC's ongoing ability to use the land to its full potential into the future."
ILSC director Roy Ah-See said the hand-over of the property would lead to positive outcomes for Aboriginal people in the community.
Mr Ah-See said the property had already proved beneficial for community since the land council had become involved.
"The Tamworth Local Aboriginal Land Council and community members are to be commended for the work they have done, and for the efforts made and uptake of opportunities taken at Trelawney Station,'' Mr Ah-See said.
"Since the LALC has been involved, there have been more than 120 Indigenous school children that have attended programs; 15 people have completed heavy vehicle and excavator training; and there's been four community events with social and cultural activities providing great benefit to the local Indigenous community.''