Country-Culture-Connection Indigenous event in The Basin

Towards the end of October 2022, KIN partnered with the Mullum Mullum Indigenous Gathering Place (MMIGP), The Basin Community House (TBCH) and The Basin Primary School (TBPS) to stage a half-day event titled “Country - Culture - Connection”.

Building trust and good relationships with the staff at the MMIGP took time, assisted through liaison with Adrian Greenwood, Knox Council’s First Nations portfolio lead, talking and – importantly – being prepared to listen.

On the day, we welcomed a student contingent from TBCH and, following an acknowledgement of country and a smoking ceremony conducted outside, moved indoors out of the rain for the rest of the program.

All contributors to the event – Adrian, the MMIGP people and Indigenous didgeridoo player/storyteller Ash Dargan – presented openly, honestly and with passion, fielding a range of unfiltered questions from participants. Everyone was respectful. We are all on a learning journey.

An Indigenous barbecue over lunch complemented proceedings.

Given a perceived low level of understanding by the broader community of local Indigenous history, knowledge or cultural heritage, we felt that participants learnt much in being exposed to elements of connection to the land and living in harmony with the environment.

We thank Knox Council for providing funding to stage this event.