Over 200 people – including federal and state politicians, BVSC and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council representatives – gathered near Eden’s Cocora Beach on Monday, April 4, for the official launch of the Story Trail.
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Linking Eden’s Cocora Beach to Quarantine Bay, this 1.5km trail is part of the Bundian Way, an ancient Aboriginal ancestral pathway linking Eden’s Twofold Bay to the Snowy Mountains, once used by Aboriginal people as a trading route between whale ceremonies on the coast and moth ceremonies in the alpine heights.
The impressive turn-out included Federal Member for Eden-Monaro Peter Hendy, Member for Bega Andrew Constance, and Labor candidate for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly, as well as countless council representatives including Bega Valley Mayor Michael Britten and Bombala Mayor Bob Stewart.
Mr Constance said the opening of the Story Trail has local, national and international significance.
“This is an absolutely incredible day for our country as well as our region,” Mr Constance said on April 4.
“(The Story Trail) is one of the most important cultural developments in the nation’s history and will have international ramifications.
“We’ve only just started, and I now want to see federal money attached, to assist especially young Aboriginal people to continue to engage with this project, and their cultural history.”
Dr Hendy assured of federal commitment into the future.
“Federal government is very happy that in the last couple of years we have been able to donate $120,000 in grants to help the project,” Dr Hendy said.
“The bottom line is this is a project that can mean jobs for the region, jobs for Indigenous youth, and so I think it’s great and I will be supporting it all the way through until its completion.”
Among the gathering were many proud members of the Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, including many of the Aboriginal rangers who constructed the performance circle, walkways and viewing platforms along the trail, as well as other notable leaders of the Eden Koori community including Pastor Ossie Cruse, ELALC chair BJ Cruse and wife Carol, Uncle Ossie Stewart and Liddy Stewart, Wilma Manton, Kaye Russell, and Toni and Darren Mongta.
Pastor Ossie Cruse said the Story Trail was an important part of the larger Pathway of Peace which is the Bundian Way.
“The Bundian Way is a pathway of healing for everyone,” he said.
“Today marks a big step, or footprint, in the developments here in Eden, particularly for our children; it’s something that is going to last for their generation, and the generations after them.”
“So it’s going to be a great future for us all, and today is a futuristic thing, where we’re seeing the fruits of lots of labour.”
Few were more proud of the labour behind the Story Trail than the Bundian Way advisory committee chairman, historian and author John Blay, whose tireless exploration of the 365km Bundian Way has helped put this iconic pathway literally on the map.
“It’s been a fantastic day today, it’s been the opening of the Bundian Way Story Trail, and it will very briefly encapsulate the whole of the Bundian Way route as well as Aboriginal culture and stories,” Mr Blay said during the official opening.
Manager of the Bundian Way Noel Whittem – who officially opened the Story Trail – agreed, describing the enthusiasm of the politicians present “heartening”.
“It was a really positive day, that sets the framework for what is to come,” Mr Whittem said.
“There is a crucial need to keep the Aboriginal rangers working beyond today, so we’re hoping for Commonwealth funding to establish our cultural tourism enterprise, The Bundian Way Experience.”
Mr Whittem thanked Club Grants for providing over $630,000 in funding, the South Coast Local Land Services for over $100,000 in funding, and Crown Lands for providing $50,000 from their public reserves management fund that helped finance the wheelchair accessibility.
“I’d also like to thank the many Eden and South Coast businesses who supplied material and labour for this project,” Mr Whittem said.
After officially declaring the Story Trail open, to rousing applause, Mr Whittem re-entered the performance circle with touring musician and current Tathra resident Mikelangelo for a stirring rendition of Mr Whittem’s original song entitled Bundian Way.
But perhaps the greatest highlight of the official opening was the inaugural use of the magnificent performance circle, constructed by ELALC Aboriginal rangers on ground used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years, with ancient shell middens just metres away.
Into this space danced the Gulaga Dancers of Wallaga Lake – led by Warren Foster junior – who performed a number of spellbinding dances including a Welcome Dance and a fishing dance of the Saltwater People.
The spirit of the younger Aboriginal generation resonated long after the official proceedings were over, with Warren Foster describing dance as culture.
“It’s how we stay connected. We’ve danced for thousands of years, and we’re still dancing,” Mr Foster said.
“Dancing is about Dreamtime to me, connecting back to the old fellas,” he said, face still heavily painted after his dance.
“Every time I paint up, it’s my key to Dreamtime.
“If we truly express ourselves we will become great at what we aspire to be.
“If culture dies, our people die.”
People then dispersed as guided tours of the Story Trail began, or clustered in groups for conversation.
Down at the performance circle, Koori and non-Koori alike queued together to have their hand prints spray-painted on the exterior walls, which manager of the Bundian Way Noel Whittem said would be an enduring record of a very special day.
“It’s a symbol of local reconciliation,” Mr Whittem said.
