Logo to acknowledge aboriginal partnership.

Saretta Fielding from Lake Macquarie is the winner of the Forestry Corporation of NSW's (formerly Forests NSW) competition to develop a logo in acknowledgement and respect of management of the forests by Aboriginal people in the past, present and future.
Forestry Corporation's acting CEO, Nick Roberts, said the logo would be used by the corporation to acknowledge Aboriginal partnerships and its work with indigenous communities.“Ms Fielding embodied the spirit of the competition with her thought provoking artwork titled Wakool, which means "One" in Awabakal language,” he said.
Ms Fielding is CEO of Yarnteen in Newcastle, a not for profit company which aims to provide Aboriginal people with training and employment opportunities to provide relief from unemployment.
Her work was chosen from 14 finalists in a field of more than 70 entries. Her niece Carissa Paglino was also one of the finalists.
Ms Fielding will be presented with her $10,000 prize at an event to be held on Wednesday 20 March at 10.30 am at the Forest Visitor Centre in Cumberland State Forest.
“I am a Wanaruah woman. I was born into the Wonaruah nation. I have enjoyed the benefit of growing up within my large and close-knit extended family and much of my work is influenced by my family connection and country,” she said.
“This artwork highlights that for tens of thousands of years Aboriginal people have lived and cared for country, their existence intertwined with, and connected to all Baiyami (creator) entrusted to us to partake of and care for.
“It aims to evoke that special link through the interwoven lines of an Aboriginal man, woman and tree, demonstrating the shared dependency between man and country.
“With outstretched arms the figures in the piece take on the form of the trunk and branches, upholding the tree, and symbolizing their oneness and dedication to management of forests, as a natural way of life.
“The tree, in turn, shows its place in providing for the needs of Aboriginal people, demonstrated by the large root of the tree supporting the man's knee and providing balance.
“The red dot art around the perimeter of the artwork depicts the past, present and future generations across time, all sharing the same culture link to country, which is passed onto future generations as we continue to share our cultural heritage.”
The 14 finalists will be part of an online exhibition through the corporation's website www.forestrycorporation.com.au and a physical exhibition at the corporation's Forest Visitor Centre in Cumberland State Forest from 21 March to coincide with World Forestry Day.