News Release
Culture Camp attracts 200 Visitors to the SwampMore than two hundred people attended the Living Country Culture Camp at Dunns Swamp (or Ganguddy in the language of the local Tradition Owners, the Wiradjuri) in Wollemi National Park.
The people of the six Language groups of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area, the Darkinjung, Darug, Dharawal, Gundungurra, Wiradjuri and Wanaruah, hosted the Camp to celebrate culture and share stories. The local Aboriginal community was joined by fifty people involved in land management of World Heritage Areas around Australia, members of the Aboriginal World Heritage Indigenous Network (AWHIN). The Camp was held to coincide with the annual AWHIN "on Country" conference.
Joan Domicelj, Chair of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area Advisory Committee, was enthusiastic about the camp. "There we were in this beautiful spot, 200 of us, celebrating connection to Country," Ms Domicelj said. "Eucalypts, boulders, mini-tents, fire to gossip around, great food, kayaks on the water among reeds, toddlers and Traditional Owners. A privilege to be amongst so much indigenous wisdom from across this continent - and brilliant Parks management, too."
Entertainment at the camp included music, song, dance, and stories all day and late into the night around the campfire. National Parks Discovery rangers led walks and canoe tours to showcase the beautiful natural features of the Park and ran a range of fun and interesting children’s activities. Evening walks and canoe tours spotlighting native animals were particularly well-received. Most of the visitors got to see large gliding possums and some were even lucky enough to see a wombat!
Indigenous Network Visits KatoombaTraditional Owners from World Heritage properties across Australia, members of the Aboriginal World Heritage Indigenous Network (AWHIN), met in Katoomba last week. Delegates were welcomed on Thursday night at a dinner with local Aboriginal Community Elders and invited guests. They spent Friday and Monday discussing Indigenous issues and sharing information and experiences relating to management of Australian World Heritage properties.
Bob Conroy, National Parks and Wildlife Service Executive Director, said that the Network meeting was an excellent opportunity for Aboriginal community members representing World Heritage properties from around Australia to share stories and ideas with the six Language groups of the Blue Mountains WHA. "The Network spent valuable time looking at future arrangements for Aboriginal co-management of our World Heritage legacy", Mr Conroy said. AWHIN comprises two Traditional Owners or Indigenous representatives from each of the fifteen Australian World Heritage properties listed for natural and/or Indigenous cultural values. Additional Indigenous representatives and Executive Officers attend AWHIN meetings as observers at the invitation of their own AWHIN representatives.Comments from Campers
Thanks so much for the invitation last weekend. We truly enjoyed ourselves. We met lots of people from different nations which was a wonderful experience.
Sharon
I'll look forward to next year's Culture Camp. The memory of the fantastic weekend I had at Dunn's Swamp still sustains me!
Gemma
We just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the weekend and how impressive the staff, activities and organisation were….It was a great opportunity for our family to learn more about the living culture and the beautiful place.
Suzanne
The culture camp was by all reports a huge success and according to participants has set a new benchmark.
Geoff
I really enjoyed the meeting, learned many things and met lots of nice people….For me the meeting and camp were a nice chance to know Australian culture and heritage.
Hee-Ung
Letter of Thanks
LETTER OF THANKS TO BLUE MOUNTAINS REGIONAL MANAGER, NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE FROM EVENT COORDINATOR AND ABORIGINAL CO-MANAGEMENT OFFICER, DEN BARBER
27 October 2008
Dear Geoff,
I firstly wish to convey to you my heartfelt thanks for the support from the Blue Mountains Region in assisting with the planning, preparation and running of the Living Country Culture Camp held last weekend the 25th and 26th October 2008. From all accounts, it appears that the camp was a huge success and such a result would not have been possible with the support of your dedicated teams. In particular, from Parks and Wildlife Group, I would like to thank the Mudgee Area and the Area Manager David Crust who, right from the start, gave a solid commitment toward providing assistance with preparation, planning, logistics and general moral support. He has a solid team in Ranger Chris Pavich and Senior Field Supervisor, Lisa Menke and the crew of field staff who impressed me with their analytical skills, efficient work practices and professionalism. They are all to be highly congratulated and commended.
Equally, I thank and acknowledge the work done by Sandy Holmes as the (as she puts it) the Acting / Acting Discovery Coordinator and her wonderful team of Aboriginal Discovery and Discovery Rangers. I also thank and acknowledge the volunteer work done by some of their children and possibly future Discovery Rangers at this camp.
Equally, I thank and acknowledge the work done by Paul Glass from Hawkesbury and my thanks also go to Paul Godfrey for his flexibility in allowing Glassy to attend and supply of vehicle etc.
It must also be noted that support of a vehicle and trailer was provided by Cumberland South Area of Sydney Region and my thanks go to Richard Urquhart and his team of field officers who assisted in preparing the substitute trailer.
From the World Heritage Unit, I thank and acknowledge the invaluable work done by Lois Carson and Jo Barrett leading up to and at the camp.
Lastly, but by certainly no means least, I equally thank and acknowledge the work done by our Executive Officer, Jacqueline Reid, who under personal trying circumstances, laid the platform for the entire event and dotted as many I's and crossed as many t's as she could. It all worked out in the end.
I certainly hope that I have not neglected to mention anyone or group within PWG and apologies in advance if that is the case.
I also thank Clarence Slockee, Steve Dunlop and the other fellas from Botanic Gardens that helped with securing the Marquee Trailer at the 'final hour'.
Regards
Den Barber