History

Deerubbins meaning: It's the original aboriginal name for the Hawkesbury-Nepean River 16 million year old river.

The Deerubbin LALC started in 1983 under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NSW, ALRA 1983) Where it went through some tough times before getting on its feet around ‘93 mainly consisting of a small team and generating most of its income as cultural heritage. However throughout this time the DLALC was able to successfully amass a substantial amount of land holdings, so much so that the DLALC is now the largest private landholder in Western Sydney.

Because of this significant land holding, the DLALC has also been able to actively work towards its commitment of strengthening the confidence and self-reliance of Aboriginal people and families, and being able to provide greater opportunity to the Aboriginal people and families living within the area, and to the greater community. Since 2007 the land council and board have been working diligently to achieve this commitment by following their evolving CLBP.

“On behalf of the Board of the Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council, I am very pleased to present this Community Land and Business Plan.

This Plan marks the beginning of a new chapter in the history of our Land Council.”

Athol Smith, Chairperson

“This plan reflects the values and ambitions of Deerubbin’s Board and its Members. It builds upon the success and the lessons of the last 30 years of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, both for Deerubbin and for the movement as a whole”

Kevin Cavanagh, Chief Executive Officer