6/05/2021
MDAS no longer at Menera Station
MDAS lease ends on Menera
Traditional Owners may be able to take the reins at Menera Station, following the end of the Mallee District Aboriginal Services’ lease of the property.
Menera Station, at Mellool, was leased from the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) by Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS) on behalf of the Swan Hill and Kerang communities from 2015 until the lease concluded on 1 May, 2021.
The 1455-hectare freehold station is on Wemba Wamba country on the New South Wales side of the Murray River, 25 kilometres from Swan Hill. While leased by MDAS, it was operated as a sustainable farming enterprise and used for community activities.
“It’s disappointing to see the lease end and because of the late notice we have had to cancel a number of cultural events we had planned,” said MDAS Swan Hill Board Member Vicki Clark.
“We are going through a period of major change at MDAS, though, and we feel it’s time to focus on our core business of being an Aboriginal community- controlled health organisation,” she explained.
“This gives us a clearer focus on delivering services aimed at closing the gap in our community.”
Ms Clark noted that in recent years at Menera Station, MDAS had formed a strong partnership with share farmer Aaron Spence, who had helped turn around the farm management aspect of the property to the point that future financial returns available for reinvestment back into the property were looking healthy.
“We want to thank Aaron for his hard work and for helping to turn around the farming enterprise. We wish him every success in the future and we hope the Traditional Owners, Wemba Wamba, are successful in pursuing their aspirations to own this property.”