The official opening of The Gully Aboriginal Interpretive Walk in Katoomba in February was a momentous occasion for the descendants of The Gully, the Aboriginal community and Blue Mountains City Council (BMCC).
In 2002, The Gully was recognised as a ‘Place of Aboriginal Significance’ in recognition of its cultural and spiritual value for the local Aboriginal community. It is also a place of environmental significance and social and recreational value for locals and visitors alike.
At the opening, BMCC Mayor, Councillor Daniel Myles said, “Importantly, The Gully is seen as a place of co-existence of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the past and therefore significant to the on-going process of reconciliation in the local community.”
The Gully Aboriginal Interpretive Walk tells the story of the Gully, both pre- and post contact and, as the Mayor said, “The Blue Mountains City Council is a big part of that story.
“Firstly, because of its role in the demise of The Gully community in 1957. Secondly, and thankfully more positively, because of its role in the renewal of The Gully and recognition of The Gully community.”
In attendance at the opening, the NSW Governor, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO, acknowledged the significance of The Gully Walk project in symbolising the efforts of Council, the Gully Traditional Owners (GTO) and the broader Aboriginal community in working together in the spirit of reconciliation to manage The Gully in a way that respects, conserves and maintains Aboriginal values.
The Gully Walk tells the story of a unique, complex and ambitious project across cultures and across regions. It has involved the cooperation and the exchange of skills, experience and knowledge amongst the project partners — the GTO, BMCC, the Widjabul people of the Northern Rivers, Rous Water and Sustainable Futures Australia.
The Gully Aboriginal Interpretive Walk is part of a broader Reconnecting to Country project, which has been funded by the NSW Environmental Trust ($590,000), the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage ($45,000) and BMCC ($258,700).
Since commencing in 2009, the Reconnecting to Country project has delivered a range of environmental, cultural and educational outcomes in the Blue Mountains.
“I think it is fair to say that The Gully Aboriginal Interpretive Walk is the jewel in the crown of the Reconnecting to Country project”, said the Mayor. “The Gully Walk is an inspiring example of resilience and reconciliation.
“There is no question that this has been a worthy investment from all project partners in both our cultural and environmental heritage as well as being an invaluable investment in community relationships and reconciliation.”
