Aboriginal Heritage
Ashfield Council acknowledges the traditional Aboriginal owners of this land. We acknowledge this is country of which the members and elders of the local Indigenous community have been custodians for many centuries, and on which Aboriginal people have performed age - old ceremonies.
We acknowledge their living culture and unique role in the life of this region.
The land we now know as Ashfield Municipality was originally home to the Aboriginal people of the Eora nation. The significance of this cannot be downplayed because it was members of the Eora nation who had contact with the First Fleet when they arrived at Sydney Cove in 1788 to establish a British colony. Therefore Eora land was a 'meeting place' between people of the Eora nation and the English colonialists.
For Ashfield Municipality this theme of 'meeting place' has continued through many phases of contemporary history as well, particularly since the end of the Second World War. Our community has frequently adjusted to change, as wave after wave of migration has added to the rich tapestry of our landscape. So much so that Ashfield has been described as the 'birthplace of modern multiculturalism in Australia'.
In contemporary times, the Aboriginal community of our nation has displayed understandable anger, dismay and frustration at the plight of their own people. At the same time, there has been much soul searching, along with practical actions, by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, seeking to bring greater well being to Aboriginal Australians. Implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan at a local level is just one way to build positive relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous residents of the Municipality & seek to achieve meaningful equality.
Our vision for reconciliation
Ashfield Council's vision for reconciliation is a local government area that acknowledges and supports locally, the ancient living culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Australia.
Ashfield Council has recently adopted a Reconciliation Action Plan.
Click here to view the Reconciliation Action Plan 2010-2012.
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The Ashfield Indigenous Heritage Mural, painted by artist Adam Hill, tells the story of Ashfield’s Indigenous Heritage.
Please click here to read the brochure about the mural from ANTar, the Australians for Native Title & Reconciliation.
ABORIGINAL ASHFIELD
The land we now know as Ashfield Municipality was originally home to the Aboriginal people of the Eora nation. The significance of this cannot be downplayed because it was members of the Eora nation who had contact with the First Fleet when they arrived at Sydney Cove in 1788 to establish a British colony. Therefore Eora land was a 'meeting place' between people of the Eora nation and the English colonialists.
For Ashfield Municipality this theme of 'meeting place' has continued through many phases of contemporary history as well, particularly since the end of the Second World War. Our community has frequently adjusted to change, as wave after wave of migration has added to the rich tapestry of our landscape. So much so that Ashfield has been described as the 'birthplace of modern multiculturalism in Australia'.
In contemporary times, the Aboriginal community of our nation has displayed understandable anger, dismay and frustration at the plight of their own people. At the same time, there has been much soul searching, along with practical actions, by both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, seeking to bring greater well being to Aboriginal Australians. Implementation of a Reconciliation Action Plan at a local level is just one way to build positive relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous residents of the Municipality & seek to achieve meaningful equality.
NAIDOC Week Celebrations
What is NAIDOC?
NAIDOC stands for the National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee. It is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields. NAIDOC Week is celebrated in the first full week of July, each year.
This year, NAIDOC week was celebrated from 5 -11 July 2010.
Bus Outing to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park
To celebrate NAIDOC Week and learn more about Aboriginal culture, Council offered a free bus outing to the National Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park on Friday 9 July, starting from 8.30am. Participants enjoyed a 3D slide show of Aboriginal culture, explored Aboriginal rock engravings, walked through the surrounding reserves and saw the beautiful view of Bobbin Head.
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Here are some participant's comments about the outing:
Letter 1:
Dear Ashfield Council,
Id like to thank you, on behalf of my good friend Michaela and myself (Joanne) for organizing the bus trip to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park to celebrate NAIDOC week.
The Day started on a high and happy note, what a wonderful mix of nationalities on our bus, "New Australians "of all races traveling together to the second oldest national park to learn, embrace and celebrate the "Oldest Australians" the Aboriginals of the Guringai country.
After much laughter we reached the park, what a unique and beautiful sight the sandstone bush land gave us as we travelled down into the valley and up the hill to Kalkari Discovery Centre where we met up with the Discovery Centers team of staff and volunteers. A PowerPoint slide show and talk given to us by the National Parks and Wildlife's first Aboriginal Discovery Coordinator, Les McLeod , was informative, great fun and very hands on, Les welcome us with a traditional ocher greeting.
After lunch we traveled down to Bobbin Head to walk the Kalkari Track this was an easy walk that could be enjoyed by young and old. We saw local wildlife, shelters used by the Guringai people, we sampled bush foods and native medicines, saw and learnt about the aboriginal rock engravings.
Unfortunately our time ran out, we boarded our bus and traveled back to Ashfield all a little richer for the experience.
Once again thank you to all who were a part of this day for making this wonderful experience possible , It gave me a great sense of community and a meaningful way for my friend and I to celebrate NAIDOC week. Joanne
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Letter 2:
To Ashfield Council
Many many thanks on a wonderful Bus trip to Ku-ring-gai Chase for NAIDOC week. What a wonderful day we had it was so informative I certainly learnt a lot and took some wonderful photos - the information and snapshots. I will send up to my great grandson and his parents, as they are Aboriginal, so they can show and teach him about his ancestors and their culture.
On the bush walk we have seen carvings in stone, which were thousand of years old, also stones where they sharpened their spears. Even come home with white Ochre on my forehead and hands. Ho, what a wonderful trip. Thank you.
Irene and Graeme
Letter 3:
The Call of The Wild
NAIDOC Week Ku-ring-gai Chase Bus Trip
The new day dawned as usual, but for me, Friday 19July was very special. It was the long awaited day trip to Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
The bus left at 9am from Ashfield mall and travelled through some beautiful, tree lined streets, before I knew the bus arrived at the Reserve at 10.15am, where we were very informative, with some explanation from the guides. I was in one of the 2 groups led by a friendly volunteer for a much anticipated walk along the discovery track. My initial impression of the Park was wonderment and awe. The vast domain was surrounded by big gnarled trees, shrubs and little plants. Most of the skeletal trees stood like sentries silent witnesses of the passage of time.
My guide was every thorough in her explanation of all the flora and fauna, pointed out very significant points as she led us through the track. There were 2 Kangaroos, possums and some unusual birds. In the silence of the Reserve it was easy to hear the distinctive calls of the birds, as the guide pointed out the birds. It was amazing to observe the patterns made by the moths on the barks of the old, huge trees. The ducks in the ponds put a special show. The trek winded along and suddenly the look-out was ahead. It was an exhilarating moment for me to stand there at the highest point and scan the vast canopy of the forest below, with Bobbin Head to the left. I felt small compared to the spread of the majestic trees below, its mystic beauty and felt so humbled. There was also a river snaking through the forest.
All too soon the walk came to an end and at about noon the bus headed to Bobbin Head for lunch, sadly leaving the park to its silence. I really enjoyed the walk.
After lunch, the Broadwalk was the target to see the mangroves, crabs and the Aboriginal rock engraving. The swamp was so filled with various small creatures and shells. The guide again pointed out the different plants and their history. Uphill was the Aboriginal carving etched on a stone slab. It was a symbolic and sacred carving when I looked around me, the scenery was so captivating and awesome.
As all good things come to an end, down the track I came and sadly it was time to board the bus, after a group photo.
I made my silent farewell to the Reserve, the silent bewitching world of nature.
Had a good and memorable trip and carried the image of the beauty in my corner of my mind.
Thank you Ashfield Council for this opportunity! From Sha.