I acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, the Wiradjuri people. This column is dedicated to those who have gone before us, to those present and to those who will follow us.
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TODAY’S column I have made into a song line story, ngadhi giilang (my story) about how I feel when I connect to country.
Look at my photograph, imagine yourself sitting, watching, waiting for the new day to arrive.
Come with me on my murru (journey) to this day that I watched unfold in front of me just recently.
It was a bir bir (very cold) ngarin (morning) as I wibiyanha (sat) and waited for my world to awaken.
The yiray (sun) approached slowly, it crept over the madhan (trees) as though it was trying to surprise me, but I knew it would arrive, we have waited and watched this same yiray (sun) for thousands of years.
Ngadhi mudyigaang (my Elders) told me it would come.
As the yiramiilan (sunrise) came it warmed my skin, it woke my wandaang (spirit) it made my world came alive.
I shut my miil (eyes) and wudhagarbinya (listen) with my wudha (ears).
You can always hear more then you can see, and you can always feel more then you can touch.
This yiradhu (day) I was ngurambang (country) and ngurambang (country) was me.
I felt that I had been here before.
I felt that madhu mayiny (many people) had yanhanha (walked) this place, cared for this garray (land) so that I could wibiyanha (sit) here in peace to enjoy this moment.
Nginha ngarin (this morning), my wudha (ears) heard the rising guya (fish), they heard the budyaan babirra (birds sing).
Ngadhi wudha (my ears) heard the sounds of life, and hope.
Just then the murruwa (west wind) arrived and gently moved through my hair and over my shoulders, it felt like my Elders putting their marra (hands) on me.
It felt like they were all around me, guiding me, teaching me, yarra (talking) to me.
That is how connection to country feels to me.
To connect to country, is to be one with country.
To be one with country is to be at peace with yourself and all around you.
This weekend take time out to be with your mob, to listen and talk to them, take time to enjoy what is around you.
Take time to remember the first nation’s people who cared and protected this place for you so as all could enjoy what so many long for, peace, love and connection to country.
- Visit www.facebook.com/WiradjuriMob