This column is dedicated to those who have gone before us, to those present and to those who will follow us.

Last week, after my weekly newspaper column was published, I had a contact phone call from a lady at Coolamon, who wanted to have a yarn to me about Ngurambang (country).

I rang her and we met up in Coolamon last week.

What happened next just blew me away.

This lovely lady, Mrs Campbell, had arranged her Land Care Group to meet me at about 9.30am.

I only thought I was meeting with her.

But it was an ambush.

Next thing I was surrounded with fresh scones, jam, chocolate cake, tea and coffee. I was not going down without a fight.

I vowed that if I made the first move (attack the scones, jam and cream) then I may have a chance to survive this ambush in the bush.

So I attacked, I took a couple down, then it was the chocolate cake’s turn, it never stood a chance.

But honestly, I arrived to find this amazing group of mayiny (people) who have so much information to share – it is astounding.

The group consisted of land owners, teachers, land carers, and farmers. I could not have met a more honest and passionate group of people if I tried.

True blue country folk who just wanted to show me a block of land that they care for.

When I arrived, I knew it was a special place already, I could feel it. As the group was about to welcome me a Gugubarra (Kookaburra) took the jump on them and started to sing us a welcome, I said to the group:

“Mr Gugubarra has beaten you to the welcome.” We all laughed and enjoyed the moment.

We then walked and talked for several hours, the group showed me these amazing orchids, some of which are very rare.

We saw madhu Budyaan (many bird), plants and madhan (tree)

The main reason Mrs Campbell invited me out was to show me what she thought may be a scar tree, she wasn’t really sure but asked me to check, and ngawa (yes), it was a scar tree.

I explained what they are, also about the importance of these finds as it helps Aboriginal people to piece back together our “song lines” our “dream time places”.

In the next few hours this group of amazing people helped me to find no less than 13 brilliant scar trees.

To have the honour to meet this group of older people, who were so forthcoming in sharing their knowledge is something that I will treasure in my mind and in my heart forever.

This group of people love the land as our Aboriginal mobs have done for thousands of years, they are people of the dhaagun (dirt) and garray (land).

Mandaang Guwu Mudyi (thank you friend) for sharing from your Giiny (heart) and for allowing me to partake in your knowledge.

Thanks to Mrs Campbell, James and Christine Campbell, Colin and Jan Lucas, Bill Pippen, Alf Sinfield and Barbara Seymour for sharing with me your knowledge on this very connecting day.

For more sharing go to my community Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/WiradjuriMob.