A local Aboriginal Cultural Experience with New Horizons
Gathered in a circle on the sacred Tharawal Land Council in Thirlmere, 40 guests joined New Horizons for a hyper local, guided tour of the flora and fauna used by generations of Tharawal people for their sustenance and survival.
The day commenced with a traditional smoking ceremony, with tour host, Shaz taking participants through the ages with an explanation of why individual local trees and plants were used in the ceremony as a means of honouring ancestors and clearing the space for the day’s activities.
In an impressive show and tell, Shaz explained how generations of Aboriginal and First Nations people shared folklore, lessons and stories through singing, and provided hands on demonstrations of how local tree stringybark could be used to weave rope, bags and fishing nets. He also shared how to make damper using grains available in the local Wollondilly area and how different shaped boomerangs were engineered for specific purposes including play, hunting and battle.
Shaz also took participants on a guided walking tour of Tharawal Land Council, highlighting plants useful for local bush medicine, food and protection and even provided guests with a taste of homemade ‘roo’ stew.
Pictured: Aboriginal learning experience host, Shaz, demonstrating how tools were built and used in Country on Tharawal Land Council in Thirlmere.
The day created a shared sense of connection to Country for participants and illustrated its importance for the physical and mental health of all Australians.
The New Horizons Aboriginal Cultural Learning Experience aimed to promote Aboriginal cultural heritage and reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and was funded via the ClubGRANTS Scheme.
New Horizons has a long history of supporting First Nations communities, funding and sponsoring local community initiatives aimed at enhancing the social, emotion and physical wellbeing of Indigenous people. They are committed to creating a world that fits everyone, and to walk beside those they support. New Horizons enhance the wellbeing of all by offering a comprehensive range of services, including independent living, inclusive community participation, holistic advice and coordination, and compassionate in-home care. By focusing on the everyday, and offering choice and control, New Horizons work with people to achieve their long-term wellbeing goals. For more information on New Horizons read more here.
For more information on ClubGRANTS read more here.
