Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community
Wingecarribee Shire Council acknowledges the Gundungurra and Tharawal people as the Traditional Custodians of this place we now call the Wingecarribee Shire.
We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all First Nations people.
Wingecarribee Shire Council recognises the continuous and deep connection to their Ngurra (Country) and that this is of great cultural significance to Aboriginal people, both locally and in the region.
For Gundungurra and Tharawal people, Ngurra (Country) means everything. It is physical, cultural and spiritual.
Council provides a number of initiatives to promote and celebrate Aboriginal culture within the Wingecarribee Shire.
Welcome to Country, or Acknowledgement of Country?
What’s the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country?
A Welcome to Country is delivered by a Traditional Owner who has been permitted to welcome visitors to their Country. Here in the Wingecarribee Shire, that’s either a Gundungurra or Tharawal person – depending on where the event or ceremony is being held.
A Welcome to Country can include a speech, story, song, dance or smoking ceremony.
An Acknowledgement of Country is an opportunity for anyone to show respect for the Traditional Owners of the land on which they meet. It can be delivered by anyone – Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
There are no set protocols or wording for an Acknowledgement of Country. Here’s a suggestion for your next event:
“I would like to acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this land and pay my respect to Elders both past and present. I would also like to extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders present here today.”
Local Aboriginal culture and heritage
The Wingecarribee Shire Council acknowledges the Gundungurra and “Tharawal” or “Dharawal” (as it is referred to in historical records) people as the traditional custodians of this place we now call the Wingecarribee Shire.
There is a strong association to the Wingecarribee, Wollondilly and Nattai rivers. These rivers are connected to their culture, dreaming and songlines.
A Dreamtime creation story, Gurangatch and Mirragan, speaks about how this whole countryside came into being. The story describes an almighty struggle between two ancestral creator spirits, one a giant eel-like creature, Gurangatch, an incarnation of the ancestral rainbow serpent, and the other, a large native cat or quoll, Mirragan.
In spite of the impact of European settlement of Australia, the Gundungurra and Dharawal Aboriginal heritage has not been extinguished. The remains of prehistoric and historic Aboriginal occupation exists throughout the Southern Highlands.
State Government records indicate that there are over 400 significant Aboriginal sites within the Shire, including 86 sites or objects that exist in the vicinity of Council-managed land or roadside reserves.
There is one sacred Aboriginal Place in Wingecarribee Shire, called Nungungnungulla (Jubilee Rocks). This Aboriginal cultural heritage site was declared by the State Government as the 100th Aboriginal Place in NSW. Nungungnungulla is a significant Aboriginal landmark in the Gundungurra cultural landscape, where Aboriginal engravings, paintings and stencils, grinding grooves, scarred trees and campsites occur. It is a teaching place for educating children about Dreamtime creation stories, Aboriginal culture and its associated values and practices.
Wingecarribee Shire Council recognises that by acknowledging our past, we are laying the groundwork for a future which embraces all Australians; a future based on mutual respect and shared responsibility for our land.
Significant dates 2024
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander significant dates:
National Reconciliation Week 2024
The week of 27 May - 3 June 2024 is National Reconciliation Week. The theme this year is 'Now More Than Ever' with a focus on support of our First Nations people. It is a call for all Australians to stand up for First Nation rights, challenge racism and create a future based on connection, respect and positive change.
The council proudly supported two local events taking place as part of National Reconciliation Week:
- Brunch & Makers Market - Friday 31 May from 11.00 am - 1.30 pm.
- Free Family Fun Day - Sunday 2 June from 10.00 am - 2.00 pm
You can find out more about National Reconciliation Week visit -Home - Reconciliation Australia
Aboriginal Cultural Burning in the Wingecarribee Shire Workshop
On Friday 5 July 2024 a Cultural Burning in Bushland Reserves workshop was held with the local Aboriginal Community members at the Wingecarribee Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre in Mittagong and included a Welcome to Country given by Gundungurra Elder, Aunty Sharyn Halls. A presentation was led by Den and his team from Yarrabin Cultural Connections, with participation from Aboriginal community members, ILALC staff, NSW RFS Volunteers and WSC staff. Further Cultural burns are proposed for Gibbergunyah and Mount Alexandra along with a community workshop and tour of the sites during winter and spring.
Further workshops open to the wider community are planned for later in year. Check our website for updates and sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the latest news and events.
(PDF, 3MB)
Find out more about Cultural Burning in Wingecarribee Bushlands Reserves on our dedicated web page -Aboriginal Cultural Burning in Wingecarribee Bushland Reserves.
NAIDOC Week 2024
Wingecarribee Shire Council celebrated NAIDOC Week hosting 3 events at the Civic Centre on Monday 8 July 2024.
- Flag Raising Event - including Welcome to Country delivered by Gundungurra Elder, Joyce Saunders, and traditional smoking ceremony performed by Layne Browne.
- Family fun day events and BBQ lunch.
- Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud - Atrium Exhibition for the month of July
- Visit to Harbison Aged Care event which included an Acknowledgement of Country was given by Aunty Robin Young, the residents then took part in some creative art activities and enjoyed listening to some Dreamtime Stories with the residents and staff.
Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud Atrium Exhibition
Location: Atrium, Civic Centre, 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale 2577
Dates: Tuesday 2 July 2024 - Wednesday 31 July 2024
The Civic Centre was open to the public for our NAIDOC week celebrations to attend the official opening of the Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud exhibition. The exhibition to explores art and design by local contemporary First Nations artists.
Aboriginal support networks, groups, and resources
Picture: Gundungurra Elder Aunty Sharyn with Council staff.
Download a useful guide from Community Circles Wingecarribee.
This publication provides links and information for support organisations, service providers and community groups for Aboriginal people.
Aboriginal Community Support Networks Wingecarribee(PDF, 2MB)
Wingecarribee Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre
Location: 1a Rainbow Rd, Mittagong, 2577
Centre bookings: Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council
Phone: 02 4226 3338
Email: admin@ilalc.org.au
Gundungurra Aboriginal Heritage Association Incorporated (GAHAI)
Aunty Sharyn Halls (Gundungurra Elder)
Email: ghal6522@bigpond.net.au
Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council (ILALC)
Phone: 02 4226 3338
Email: ceo@ilalc.org.au
Dhungung (food) share
Wingecarribee Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre
1a Rainbow Rd, Mittagong, 2577
Aboriginal Women’s Yarning Group
Wingecarribee Aboriginal Community Cultural Centre
1a Rainbow Rd, Mittagong, 2577
Email: Lisa Fuller - lisa@highlandscommunity.org.au
Cultural experiences, performers, and tours
Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness
Djiriba Waagura
Guula Ngurra National Park
Gadhungal Murring - Raymond Timbery: gadhungal.murring@outlook.com
Platypus Dreamin
Trish Levett – Rite BakAtcha Dreamin: Kalawatawarra@hotmail.com
Advice and information
Aunty Sharyn Halls (Gundungurra Elder)
Associated to the Gundungurra Aboriginal Heritage Association Incorporated
Email: ghal6522@bigpond.net.au
David King – Gundungurra T.O
Email: davidkingbluemtns@gmail.com
Den Barber – Yarrabin Cultural Connections
Aboriginal Presenter on Land and Cultural Fire Burning
Email: yarrabin@hotmail.com
National Parks and Wildlife Services
Aboriginal Discovery Rangers
Phone: David Duffy 0429 680 811
Email: david.duffy@environment.nsw.gov.au
National Parks and Wildlife Services
Bush Tucker and Medicine Gardens – Pat Hall
Email: pat.hall@environment.nsw.gov.au
Native Bush and Medicine Plants
Wariapendi Native Nursery
Wendy Lotter – Platypus Dreamin Aboriginal Cultural Tours
Phone: 0422 631 243
Email: platypusdreamin@gmail.com
Aboriginal Network Meetings
Wingecarribee Community Centre Advisory Committee
Illawarra Local Aboriginal Land Council
Phone: 02 4226 3338
Email: ceo@ilalc.org.au
Wingecarribee Aboriginal Network
Email: Jeanne.duffy@sectorconnect.org.au
Government legislation and organisations
Office of Local Government
Australian Institute of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies
NSW Aboriginal Land Council
NSW Department of Environment and Conservation (Aboriginal Heritage Assessment)
Aboriginal Affairs NSW
Indigenous Coordination Centre
Reconciliation Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags
Aboriginal flag
The Aboriginal flag was recognised under Federal legislation, as was the Torres Strait Islands flag, in July 1995. The Aboriginal flag was first displayed on 12 July 1971, National Aborigines' Day at Victoria Square in Adelaide. It was also used at the 'Tent Embassy' in Canberra in 1972.
Designed by Aboriginal Elder Harold Thomas in 1971, this flag symbolises Aboriginal identity. Yellow represents the sun (giver of life) and yellow ochre. Red represents the red earth (the relationship to the land) and the red ochre used in ceremonies. Black represents the Aboriginal people.
The flag is flown or displayed permanently at Aboriginal centres throughout Australia. It is popularly recognised as the flag of the Aboriginal peoples of Australia and should only be flown by other Australians when permission has been granted.
Torres Strait Islander flag
The flag, designed by Islander Mr Bernard Namok, was adopted in 1992. Green represents the islands, blue the sea and black the local Melanesian people. A stylised dancer's head-dress known as a DARI, and a five pointed star appear on the flag. The star alludes to the five main island zones and is sometimes interpreted as a symbol of the 'Coming of the Light' in Christianity.