Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community

Overview

Wingecarribee Shire Council acknowledges the Gundungurra and Dharawal people as the Traditional Custodians of this land.

We pay respect to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 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 Dharawal 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 Dharawal 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 land.

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.

Aboriginal Women’s Yarning Group

(PDF, 2MB)

Group details:

• Women's Yarning Group 2nd and 4th Thursday (Nichole - Night) 
• All Mob's Creative Group 1st and 3rd Thursday (Lisa - Night)
• Day Yarning Group last Friday of the month (Lisa - Day)

Location Address: Cultural Centre, 1a Rainbow Rd, Mittagong, 2577

Email Contacts:

• Highlands Community Centres: Lisa Fuller - lisa@highlandscommunity.org.au
• Wingecarribee Shire Council: Nichole Harper - nichole.harper@wsc.nsw.gov.au 

Significant Dates 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander significant dates:  

National Reconciliation Week 2025

27 May - 3 June 2025 was National Reconciliation Week. The theme was 'Bridging Now to Next' reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

Bridging Now to Next called on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

In the #NRW2025 theme artwork created by Kalkadoon woman Bree Buttenshaw, native plants − which are known for regenerating after fire and thriving through adversity − symbolise our collective strength and the possibilities of renewal.

This is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.

Virtual Breakfast event

You were invited to take part and join the conversation at the National Reconciliation Week - Virtual Breakfast.

Panel includes:
The Hon. David Harris MP, Reconciliation Australia CEO Karen Mundine, Mundanara Bayles and Joshua Gilbert!

When: Wednesday 28 May 2025
Time: 7:30 am  - 9:00 am
Where: Online

Find resources for National Reconciliation Week:

• Colouring in Sheet
• Community Installation: individual or group activity guide
• Individual activity
• Group activity

Print Your own T-Shirt.

Click the below link and use this to print your own t-shirt anywhere that prints clothing.

• Print your own t-shirt design

Reminder: The use of the National Reconciliation Week 2025 t-shirt design for commercial purposes is strictly forbidden.

Find out more about National Reconciliation Week visit: Home - Reconciliation Australia

Aboriginal Cultural Burning in the Wingecarribee Shire

In 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.

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 2025 

National NAIDOC week took place from 6 - 13 July 2025. 

The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," celebrated not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

We hosted a range of events to celebrate NAIDOC Week at the Civic Centre, Moss Vale, on Monday, 7 July.

NAIDOC Week Event information

Date: Monday 7 July 2025
Location: Civic Centre, 68 Elizabeth Street Moss Vale

Flag raising and smoking Ceremony
Location: Outside the front lawn at the Civic Centre (by the flag poles).
Time: 10:45 am -12:00 pm
Details:  A flag raising ceremony (including a smoking ceremony).

Opening of NAIDOC The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy Atrium Exhibition
Location: Atrium Gallery, Civic Centre
Time: 12:00 pm 
Exhibition details: The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy Atrium Exhibition

NAIDOC Family fun day (includes FREE BBQ lunch)

Location: TheTheatrette, Civic Centre
Time: 12:20 pm - 2:30 pm

Visit our NAIDOC Events page to find out more

The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy Atrium Exhibition

Location: Atrium, Civic Centre, 68 Elizabeth Street, Moss Vale 2577
Dates:  3 - 30 July 2025

The Civic Centre hosted our annual NAIDOC Week Atrium Exhibition, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy'. The exhibition explored 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

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 Education Programs

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.

Murraural 4K Playspace

The Murraual (Murra-wall) 4K Playspace at David Wood playing fields is  an exciting new upgrade planned for David Wood Playing Fields in East Bowral. This project was funded in partnership with the NSW Government under the Stronger Country Communities Fund and with local community group The 4K who strive to provide a significantly better environment within the Southern Highlands of NSW for kids with special needs. The Project is estimated to be completed at the end of May 2025.

The design takes inspiration from the story of Gurangatch and Mirragan and the creation of the Jenolan Caves, Wingecarribee River and Wollondilly River. More can be read on this story below.

Kids Cultural Activities

Enjoy these free colouring-in resources created to support the opening of our new Murraural 4K Playspace in East Bowral. The designs are based on Indigenous Artist Pam Luke's incredible artworks, inspired by the story of Gurangatch and Mirragan and the creation of the Jenolan Caves, Wingecarribee River and Wollondilly River. These works were transposed onto the footpath by Street Artist, Bjani Wark. The Artworks have also helped to form the basis of the design for the entire Murraural 4K playspace.

Click on one of these beautiful designs to download a PDF copy to download, print and colour in.

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