A Northern Grampians climbing group is encouraging its Natimuk brethren to engage with Traditional Owners for the betterment of the whole community.
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Gariwerd Wimmera Reconciliation Network (GWRN) vice president Meg Dennison said valuable lessons were learned since climbing was banned in the region a year ago.
"Gariwerd Wimmera Reconciliation Network was formed in response to concerns about the relations between Traditional Owners and recreational users of Gariwerd (Grampians National Park) and Djurite (Arapiles-Tooan State Park)," Ms Dennis said.
"Initially, there was a lot of anger in the climbing community. However, after working with the three traditional owner organisations of the region, we were able to acknowledge the harm that we may have inflicted."
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Land management in Gariwerd is overseen by Traditional Owners Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Barengi Gadjin Land Council and Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.
The two national parks are home to about 90 of southeast Australia's Indigenous rock art; however, they also contain some of the best rock climbing experiences in the world.
More recently, the Victorian Government issued an interim protection order on June 18 over Aboriginal cultural sites at Mount Arapiles - the first of its kind.
The order means climbers need permission from the Barengi Gadjin Land Council to enter Taylors Rock at Mount Arapiles or face fines of up to $297,000.
Natimuk residents and businesses were angered by the Government's lack of consultation with climbers.
Nevertheless, Ms Dennison said a positive outcome is still viable so long as climbers reach out to Traditional Owners.
"We want to share our experience of reconciliation with other climbing groups and communities,' she said. "We want to be true to our identities as climbers, but when it comes to reconciliation, it's important not to push an agenda. We gained a valuable understanding of the prehistory of Australia."
GWRN is now recognised as an official reconciliation group in the region by Reconciliation Australia.
Ms Dennison said the group plans to meet regularly with climbing groups to help them engage respectfully with traditional owners while helping Traditional Owners understand the climbing as a recreational activity.
The Barengi Gadjin Land Council was contacted for comment for this story.