Three Rivers Cultural Services head up to Gaahna-bula and share generously

Jordon Moore of Three Rivers Cultural Services, Jacob Young and Brian Ah-See with his son Brian held a powerful Cultural Awareness session on Wiradjuri Country at Lake Canobolas and Gaahna-bula, Mount Canobolas. Along with Kylie Povest, Department of Regional NSW, generous knowledges and experiences were shared. In attendance were the Tourism Managers from the Central West joined by Destination NSW and Arts OutWest.

First stop was Lake Canobolas where the boomerang circled back and the emu drum (like a squat mini didgeridoo) resonated. Cultural tools spread across the outside table each held endless rich stories and encouraged hearty hands on learning. Here the talk centred around yindyamarra, and how it embodies a way of life, being respectful, going slowly and taking time and responsibility.

On site the group also experienced the award winning indigenous murals. The ‘Gaahna-bula (Mount Canobolas)’ mural is painted by Ricky Ah-See and Justin Hammond with the Aboriginal Dreaming Story told by Uncle Neil Ingram Senior, Wiradjuri Elder. The ‘How the Platypus came to be’ mural is painted by Ricky Ah-See and Brian Ah-See. The Aboriginal Dreaming Story is told by Aunty Iris Reid, Wiradjuri Elder. The stories behind the artworks can be read by scanning the QR codes on the mural signs or by visiting Orange City Council, Lake Canobolas webpage and click the ‘Art’ tab.

Ending up on the summit of Gaahna-bula, with ochre painted on each face, the Tourism Managers were welcomed in a beautiful smoking ceremony performed in a gesture of goodwill and healing. All in attendance were greatly appreciative of this session showing total engagement whilst gaining valuable insights into Wiradjuri and Indigenous culture, history and perspectives.