Connecting with Country

We are at the start of our Connecting with Country journey, and know we can deepen our understanding of Country and build relationships with the Aboriginal communities where we work.

One way to do this is by holding walks on Country with Traditional Owners and knowledge holders. Over the past year, we have held walks at Tallawong, Orange, Austral, Bomaderry and Glenfield. On each, we have been privileged to learn about First Nations history, and how these places have been traditionally used, managed and cared for by Aboriginal people for millenia. We have also learnt about Country itself and the materials, vegetation, animals and stories it holds, so that we can begin considering these in our planning and design decisions.

In December 2023 Dharug knowledge holder Uncle Shane Dewick walked with the Guntawong Road (Tallawong) team, sharing stories from the area and emphasising the importance of the creek that runs through the site. As a result, the masterplan allows for a wider setback from the creek, retaining room for open space and considering the incorporation of mens and womens spaces into the design. Uncle Shane also led a walk in Austral in June 2024, during which the team explored views from key focal points and discussed totems and options for future care of Country.

In Bomaderry, a Wodi Wodi elder led a walk on country in January 2024. He spoke of the site’s proximity to the Bomaderry Aboriginal Children’s Home, a former Stolen Generations facility, as well as the importance of the adjoining billabong as a source of food and water for the local community. In reference to this, the landscape plans for the site include paving that symbolises the nearby billabong.

In Orange we worked with a Wiradjuri knowledge holder who specialises in understanding Sky Country, and they led a walk on Country and shared the story of Gaanha-bula (the Wiradjuri name for Mt Canobolas) and its significance. As a result of this input, the masterplan maintains a sight line to the mountain from a key open space and gathering area within the site.

Finally, in North Wilton a First Nations Working Group has been established, with a panel of seven community members meeting bi‑monthly to exchange information with the project team and drive Connecting with Country outcomes. To date, the group has highlighted the importance of protecting cultural heritage in the conservation area, and has had direct input into the neighbourhood planning process.

Image left: Dharug knowledge holder Uncle Shane Dewick sharing the stories of Country.
Image right: Animal skin artwork features totems of the local Booraboorongal clan.