Walking side-by-side: A new model for Indigenous partnerships
A social value analysis of the Woppaburra Coral Project for the Australian Institute of Marine Science
The Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS), Australia’s tropical marine research agency, and a Traditional Owner group have reimagined a way of working together. This new approach has been applied to the Woppaburra Coral Project, a five-year, $11 million research project exploring strategies to restore coral reefs around the Keppel Islands.
Walking side-by-side: A new model for Indigenous Partnerships is a social value analysis of the partnership which found that the project created significant social, economic and cultural value. For Woppaburra people, the opportunity to return to Country was deeply healing and strengthened connections to family, culture, and sea Country.
The project also supported aspirations for training and employment, with tangible outcomes including new roles, certificates, and increased confidence to pursue careers on Country. For many Woppaburra people this project provided an opportunity to return to Country for the first time since their forced removal in 1902.
