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Voice of Country Pledge

PICTURE: This artwork shares cultural narratives in traditional symbolism of the Land of Awabakal.Flowing across the design is songlines on country, reflective of Awabakal people, as the people of the hills and plains. Prepared by Saretta Art & Design

Voice of Country Pledgean invitation
To bring culture and Country back from the brink, we need a culture of connectedness – of listening to the land.

This is an invitation to all Australians – whether we’re Indigenous or not – to care for and heal Country. To take responsibility as a caretaker of this land and accept our role as a custodian – to listen to and amplify the voices of First Nations people, who have cared for Country since time immemorial.

For thousands of years Aboriginal people lived in harmony with this country and the species that evolved here. The past two centuries have seen nothing but a constant decline of our plants, wildlife, soil and water due to the introduction and lack of control of invasive species. Today they are the biggest threat to our native species.

Invasive species are destroying our totems and degrading our land and sea. Our Country is crying out for an end to this damage. The Invasive Species Council is asking us to take the pledge, to be a Voice of Country.
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Yarns Parai, Cultural stories of the Lower Hunter region

Project overview:
The Lower Hunter Freight Corridor will enable a future dedicated freight rail line to be constructed between Fassifern and Hexham; bypassing Newcastle while improving regional and interstate links.
The artwork shares traditional Awabakal Stories and values of the land covered by the corridor investigation.

Previous investigations undertaken by Transport for NSW indicated the potential corridor routes could pass through areas of cultural and archaeological sensitivity. In developing the preferred option Transport wanted to ensure that the process was fully informed of the Aboriginal cultural landscape and Aboriginal community aspirations.
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On the eastern side of Lake Macquarie there is a stone circle design with an eagle flying above symbolic of the Eagle-Hawk stones.
Located on Munibung Hill the stones are a circular erection of about 5 or 6 feet (1.5-1.8 m) in diameter and 2 or 3 feet (60-90 cm) high. Legend is that they were brought there by an eagle-hawk.
Munibung Hill was also a site where rocks for tools and a special stone were found to make yellow ochre. The cultural quarry is presented through the stone axe imagery.
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Words for Feelings conversation cards
$35.00
Words for feelings – Pitjantjatjara
A set of flash cards that look at feelings in Pitjantjatjara/English. This resource can be used as a tool by families, health professionals and workers as prompts to assist people with talking about their feelings, thoughts and wellbeing. The cards are also a great two-way language resource. An Aboriginal / Anangu mental health resource.
48 beautifully illustrated cards

Featured in MMM: Issue 41, Dec.23 – Jan.24