Hyne Timber has entered into a 12-month partnership with the Ngarigo Toomaroombah Kunama Namadgi Indigenous Corporation to support the development of the Ngarigo Culture Reserve in Tumbarumba.
The Ngarigo Culture Reserve is the first of its kind for the town and is already attracting busses of visitors despite the development being in early stages.
Ngarigo Elders, Uncle Craig Wilesmith, Aunty Sandra Casey and Uncle John Casey, supported by many other Ngarigo people and volunteers are proudly informing the Reserve development in respect of their ancestors.
Ngarigo Elder, Uncle Craig said the Reserve is located at an area of spiritual, cultural significance,
“This Reserve at Murrays Crossing Road ‘5 ways’ is traditionally where the five main song lines of the regional Indigenous people met. In other words, the most accessible ways across our landscape, which more recently informed the road network. Each year in November, around 600 Indigenous people congregated at this very place.
“Our people met here for Corroboree’s, yarning and trade.
“It was also the site of our Message Tree where message sticks were exchanged. The Message Tree was sadly destroyed in the bushfires and had to be removed but has since been replaced with a rock monument.
“We still have more work to do but have been overwhelmed with the community and business support we are already receiving, including most recently, from Hyne Timber coming on board as a partner,” Uncle Craig said.
Jenna Small, Auntie Sandra Casey and Uncle Craig with the Scar Tree
There are many volunteers and contributing businesses helping to develop the Culture Reserve including both yarning and Burra circles, a scar tree, and the Message Tree monument. The two circles are joined by a rainbow serpent walkway, lined with painted rocks by the local primary school as part of their cultural learning and engagement.
The Burra circle also has a striking ‘centre piece’ which wouldn’t have traditionally featured but represents traditionally favoured food. This is a hand carved, wooden, long neck turtle carved by Ngarigo man, Justin McCulland.
Hyne Timber’s general manager – stakeholder engagement, Katie Fowden visited the site with Ngarigo Elders Uncle Craig and Aunty Sandra Casey to understand first-hand, the scale and plans for the development,
“People want to understand and engage with our Indigenous heritage. This includes here in Tumbarumba with the visitors already flocking to this Culture Reserve still under development.
“We can’t tell the stories of our Indigenous heritage but we can help fund the logistics so their story can be shared more widely, educating people in an appropriately respectful, engaging and informative way for all ages and abilities.
“In addition to the cultural elements, a carpark is being installed along with BBQ facilities, bathroom amenities, educational signage and a bituminised Culture Trail to connect with the ever-popular Rail Trail.
“Anyone can visit the site now and sit amongst the yarning circle, surrounded by the trees and sounds of the kookaburras and nature. It is already an immersive experience despite the project being in its infancy.
“We entered into a longer-term partnership as opposed to simply supplying one-off funding so we can continue to support the Elders and volunteers with this historically significant project through to fruition.” Fowden said.
The project continues to raise funds from the community and local businesses with bituminisation of the Culture Trail yet to receive funding and get underway.
Supporting businesses and organisations include Hyne Timber, a Snowy Hydro grant, Aboriginal Affairs, Warren Hulm and Sons, and Bald Hill Quarries with the Snowy Valleys Council also supporting the development as a preserved area of spiritual significance.
