Welcome to Country Weekend

‘…STORY, in other words, continues to fulfil its ancient function of binding society by reinforcing a set of common values and strengthening the ties of common culture. Story enculturates youth. It defines people. It tells us what is laudable and what is contemptible. It subtly and constantly encourages us to be decent instead of decadent. Story is the grease and glue of society: by encouraging us to behave well, story reduces social friction while uniting people around common values.’ (Jonathon Gottschall, ‘The Storytelling Animal: How Stories make us Human’)

The Welcome to Country Weekend was a different kind of DITRA experience - a group of 11 Sydney hiking women, immersed in Aboriginal culture for a three-day and two-night camp. "Ngurrumpa" is set on a stunning 160-acre bush property at Wollombi, close to Heritage Listed Yengo National Park in the Hunter Valley region of New South Wales.

We sat around a fire at night, looked at the stars, visited culturally significant sites, learnt about the importance of family and kinship, weaved lomandra longifolia leaves into bracelets, crushed and painted with white ochre, savoured native bush foods, created our own digging sticks and clapping sticks, participated in Acknowledgements to Country, learnt the meaning of ancient rock art, cooled off with a dip in a small dam and witnessed spectacular views and a glorious sunset.

Guided bush walks around the property gave us a new awareness of just how much more the bush holds. At night we set up swags and tents, lay on our backs and look at the stars together, with stories of the Dark Emu and the indigenous Creator, Biamie. 

These are the personal reflections and experiences of some of the participating Diamonds…

“This past weekend was extraordinary in every sense, I really cannot decide on any particular ‘thing’ needless to say our conversations and especially the ‘stories’ which emerged, the weft and weave of these ‘yarnings’ were the bedrock of all that we experienced.” (Linda)

“There was so much that we learned this weekend including these two things that we should be teaching in NSW schools: “Gadigal” means “people from where the grass tree grows” (gadi = grass and gal = people); and Mt Yengo is a sacred site as important to NSW indigenous people as Uluṟu is to the indigenous people of Central Australia.” (Jackie)

“So often as trekkers, we have our heads down ….. This experience was very different. Our few days on Darkinjung Country were about being immersed in nature and learning about the rich culture and traditions of Aboriginal people - their customs, communities, stories and their deep connection to the environment.

We reflected on the importance of knowing the true history of conflict and dispossession for Aboriginal people and the power of contributing to better outcomes through the sharing of our learnings. We talked and talked … we questioned … we listened … and we learnt! Leanne left us with a challenge … to be informed and respectful about the areas where we trek and to take responsibility for sharing the knowledge that we had learnt over the weekend with others - ‘Each one, teach one!” (Ann Holland)

“Don’t worry about political correctness,” firmly announced Leanne, a Dhurug woman and elder, as we attempted some basic weaving in the Wollombi Cultural Centre. All that mattered was if our curiosity about her world was real. Whatever questions we had, just ask. The first thing that happened once we arrived at Leanne’s property was the smoking ceremony. It was simple, completely devoid of pomp and profound. “The smoke goes to those who need it,” commented Leanne. As we slowed down, we were in a better frame of mind to absorb what Leanne patiently and cheerfully had to offer.

Throughout the entire weekend, Leanne encouraged us to talk with each other and with her at every opportunity. Having a yarn is what it is all about, as having a yarn is how anyone relaxes enough to ask real questions and listen to explanations of a timeless way of life that does not consider people superior to the land.

The next day started with grinding ochre and a demonstration of how to blow ochre and water over our hands for hand stencils. With much joy and more ochre on us than the rocks, we made our own hand stencils. Leanne also gave an introductory explanation of the ‘skin’ system, which are kinship rules that involve newborns being assigned status as one of the four creation animals – Echidna, Goanna, Emu or Kangaroo. This ‘skin’ system, amongst other things, ensures genetic diversity amongst First Nation people.   

We then visited Yengo National Park, which features World Heritage rock carvings dated to 30,000 years old. …. We had another simple, profound ceremony, where we were cleansed of negative feelings by being brushed with yellow bloodwood branches. The total lack of pretension combined with the profound continued with the discovery these rock carvings are under foot as they have been for tens of thousands of years, as Leanne explained to a culturally appropriate level the guidance and lessons these ancient carvings have presented to onlookers for eons of time…..

If you are prepared to put yourself in Leanne’s hands, she, an indigenous elder with a lot of experience in dealing with people from all walks of life, will welcome you.” (Rachael Chin)