Boolah-Dillah officially opened at Bulahdelah

Head of NSW Aboriginal Affairs Jason Ardler, Karuah Elder Aunty Fiona Manton and NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell at Boolah-Dillah.
Head of NSW Aboriginal Affairs Jason Ardler, Karuah Elder Aunty Fiona Manton and NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell at Boolah-Dillah.

 

COINCIDING with National Reconciliation Week, Boolah-Dillah at the Bulahdelah Mountain Aboriginal Place was officially opened last week by the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell.

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The development and revitalisation of the Mountain comes from a partnership between the Karuah Aboriginal Land Council and NSW Forestry Corporation, providing a unique experience for visitors.

“This land is culturally, spiritually and historically significant for the local Worimi People and now all of us can experience the local culture in this stunning part of the world,” Minister Mitchell said.

The project involved completing tree carvings to mark places of cultural significance, new interpretive signage, the development of a cultural site with seating and a fire pit and upgrading visitor facilities.

Karuah Land Council CEO Len Roberts said he hopes visitors will come away with an understanding of the history of the area and its significance to the community.

“This is a place that represents all of Bulahdelah – its history and the Aboriginal People have always been closely entwined,” he said.

“Bulahdelah means ‘two teeth’, but the word here also means two things united, showing it’s a place that brings people together which is what reconciliation is about.”

Len said the carvings were completed by a talented team of young Worimi People utilising traditional skills learnt during workshops at the Land Council.

NSW Forestry Corporation Senior Manager Kathy Lyons said the Mountain project is an example of what can be achieved through collaboration.

“We have established many good working relationships,” she said.

“We get people involved so they can do traditional activities and gain pride in what they do.”

More than 100 guests were welcomed at the official celebration last week, which included a formal ceremony, traditional dancing, carving demonstrations and guided walks.

Minister Mitchell congratulated the Land Council and Forestry Corporation for their hard work in making the project a success.

 

Head of Aboriginal Affairs Jason Ardler has a carving lesson with Minister Sarah Mitchell.
Head of Aboriginal Affairs Jason Ardler has a carving lesson with Minister Sarah Mitchell.

 

NSW Forestry Corporation Managers Kathy Lyons and John Schipp with Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell at Boolah-Dillah.
NSW Forestry Corporation Managers Kathy Lyons and John Schipp with Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell at Boolah-Dillah.

 

Kev Manton, Aunty Fiona Manton and Minister Sarah Mitchell cut the ribbon to officially open the cultural space, assisted by Khloe Middleton, Sally Curnow, Harrison Hughes and Abby Fenner.
Kev Manton, Aunty Fiona Manton and Minister Sarah Mitchell cut the ribbon to officially open the cultural space, assisted by Khloe Middleton, Sally Curnow, Harrison Hughes and Abby Fenner.

 

Karuah Aboriginal Land Council CEO Len Roberts with Land Council members, MidCoast Council staff, Councillor Karen Hutchinson and Deputy Mayor Katheryn Smith.
Karuah Aboriginal Land Council CEO Len Roberts with Land Council members, MidCoast Council staff, Councillor Karen Hutchinson and Deputy Mayor Katheryn Smith.

 

Cutting the ribbon to officially declare Boolah-Dillah open. Photo: Kev Carter
Cutting the ribbon to officially declare Boolah-Dillah open. Photo: Kev Carter

 

Karuah Aboriginal Land Council CEO Len Roberts with Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell.
Karuah Aboriginal Land Council CEO Len Roberts with Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Sarah Mitchell.

 

Aunty Bev Manton gave the Welcome to Country. Photo: Supplied
Aunty Bev Manton gave the Welcome to Country. Photo: Supplied

 

Traditional smoking ceremony performed by the Worimi people. Photo: Kev Carter (left) The cultural space at Boolah-Dillah. Photo: Kev Carter (right)
Traditional smoking ceremony performed by the Worimi people. Photo: Kev Carter (left)
The cultural space at Boolah-Dillah. Photo: Kev Carter (right)

 

Karuah Aboriginal Land Council CEO Len Roberts.
Karuah Aboriginal Land Council CEO Len Roberts.

 

Traditional dancing during official opening celebration. Photo: Kev Carter
Traditional dancing during official opening celebration. Photo: Kev Carter

 

Worimi Performers at the official opening of Boolah-Dillah. Photo: Kev Carter
Worimi Performers at the official opening of Boolah-Dillah. Photo: Kev Carter

 

New interpretative signage has been installed along the walking trails.
New interpretative signage has been installed along the walking trails.

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