Western Australia’s Kwinana Town Council received a Commendation Award in the National Awards for Local Government’s Capacity Building – Strengthening Indigenous Communities category. Council received the award for its Spectacles Yargan Cultural Tours, which demonstrate how Local Government can successfully work with industry and local Indigenous communities to promote and foster Indigenous culture and community harmony. The project is a collaborative effort between Council, Alcoa Australia, Medina Aboriginal Cultural Community (MACC) and the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC).
Kwinana has a population of approximately 24,000 residents. The area’s Indigenous population of 3.2 per cent is considerably higher than the State average, as are their levels of unemployment and low socio/economic backgrounds.
The Spectacles Yargan (meaning turtle) Cultural Tours provide an avenue for local Indigenous people to share knowledge, language and history, while preserving and promoting a vibrant traditional and contemporary Indigenous culture. It is the only Indigenous tour operating in this region.
Kwinana’s Cultural Development Coordinator, Adele Dixon, said the tours offer a rich Indigenous experience in a bushland setting, just a short 25 minute drive from Perth.
“The tours are a unique eco cultural tourism venture in Kwinana’s wetland area,” she said. “The 360 hectares of wetlands are part of a major and ancient trade route following freshwater swamps and lakes, which link the Aboriginal peoples of the Murray and Swan Rivers.”
Located in the most southern of the Beeliar chain of freshwater lakes, the area is named after its traditional owners, the Nyoongar people.
The area has cultural significance as an ancient ceremonial, camping and food gathering site. It comprises two walking tracks – a five kilometre walk around the two lakes and a three kilometre walk through the Banksia woodland. Reed beds and paper bark forest surround the two lakes, providing shelter and habitat for a diverse range of plants and animals.
Adele Dixon said that aside from economic benefits, such as the creation of employment, the project also allows younger Aboriginal people to be aware and take pride in their traditional origins and beliefs.
“Some people often have preconceived ideas of Aboriginal people and harbour thoughts of racial prejudice,” she said. “This project allows for those barriers to be broken down and creates a more tolerant community that is inclusive and understanding. The success of the tours highlights the public’s growing interest in experiencing and understanding Aboriginal history and people.”
For further information on the tours and Kwinana’s cultural initiatives contact Adele Dixon on (08) 9439 0289.
