NAIDOC Week celebration at Cumberland
From the Spring 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Back row left to right: NSW Department of Primary Industries staff Ian Abbott and Cheryl Kitchener, with Kevin Smith from Forests NSW; Front row left to right: Darug representatives Rhiannon Wright and Krystal Mervin, with Elders Edna Watson and Wes Marne. Photo by Kylie Davies
More than 70 people attended a NAIDOC Week celebration organised by the Darug Aboriginal community and NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) at Cumberland State Forest in July.
NAIDOC Week is an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander achievement, culture and traditions.
Members of the Hornsby reconciliation group joined representatives of the Darug people, locals and staff from NSW DPI and Forests NSW for the event.
Following a welcome to country by Darug Elder, Aunty Edna Watson, and a flag raising ceremony, Forests NSW acting chief executive, Alastair Howard, outlined the history of the area before and since European settlement.
Alastair said NSW DPI recognised the relationship Aboriginal people have with land and their strong interest in primary industries.
He said the department was working on an updated Aboriginal employment strategy including actions to improve support for Aboriginal staff and to address training and career development needs.
“DPI has also established an Aboriginal liaison and cultural heritage unit to coordinate activities related to Aboriginal and heritage interests.
“This will build on the vital role our regional Aboriginal cultural heritage officers and coordinators play in working with local communities to identify and manage Aboriginal sites,” Alastair said.
The formal speeches were followed by storytelling from Darug Elder, Uncle Wes Marne, and walks through the 40 hectare forest led by Cumberland State Forest rangers.
Communications, Maitland
