Thank you Strathbogie Forest supporters

Community response to this petition has been just fantastic! Thanks to all who have signed.

We didn't have a particular number target in mind, though at the outset I would have been happy with a few hundred. To now have 500 supporters, most of whom are from within Victoria, is just awesome. Though Traditional owner custodianship of this particular bit of public land might seem a narrow, local issue, it's of fundamental importance to Traditional Owners. Healing culture can't happen without also healing country.

The message sent to Australia's political class at the recent Federal election - climate action, local representation and integrity in politics - now also sets the scene for the Victorian state election in November 2022. There's no time like now to push our politicians to simultaneously enable self-determination for Traditional Owners and build the health and resilience of our public forests.

We won't know for a few months whether the Victorian government will recognize the Taungurung people as legal custodians of the forest, so until then we'll continue seeking support for this petition.

Please keep sharing with your networks and friends - maybe we can even get to 1000!