Aboriginal culture

The people of the Yuin Nation are the traditional custodians of the land we now know as Eurobodalla Shire. Yuin people have lived in the area for thousands of years and have an enduring custodianship and connection over the land and waterways of Eurobodalla.

Council continues to work with these traditional landholder groups to support the celebration of Aboriginal history and culture in Eurobodalla.

Acknowledgement of Country

Eurobodalla Council recognises Aboriginal people as the original inhabitants and custodians of all land and water in Eurobodalla and respects their enduring cultural and spiritual connection to it. Eurobodalla Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we live. Council pays respect to Elders past, present and aspiring. We are on Yuin Country.

Aboriginal Protocols and Guidelines

The Aboriginal Protocols and Guidelines document outlines important cultural protocols necessary for working, consulting and acknowledging local Aboriginal communities.

Aboriginal Action Plan

The Aboriginal Action Plan provides opportunities to build on existing programs and develop new ones that ensure Aboriginal people can avail themselves of the opportunities available to all members of our community.

dhurga corner

dhurga is the language traditionally spoken by the Yuin people – including local walbanja and brindja Yuin – from south of Nowra to Narooma and west to Braidwood.

With help from our Aboriginal Advisory Committee, we're featuring a regular column in Council's quarterly print newsletter that introduces dhurga words and meanings.

Eurobodalla Libraries and local bookshops have copies of The Dhurga Dictionary and Learner’s Grammar, authored by locals Trish Ellis, Kerry Boyenga and Waine Donovan.

Projects

Partners

  • Aboriginal Advisory Committee: Made up of community members and representatives from Local Aboriginal Land Councils, this committee provides advice and recommendations to Council on matters that are of importance to the local Aboriginal community.
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs): Established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983, LALCs are autonomous bodies governed by boards elected by local Aboriginal community members every two years. LALCs assist in matters relating to housing, legal, employment and other day-to-day matters involving Aboriginal people.

Statement of commitment

Eurobodalla Shire Council:

  • acknowledges the rights of Aboriginal people to live according to their beliefs and customs and gives due respect and recognition of customary lore, heritage, beliefs and traditions.
  • acknowledges that reconciliation means having an appreciation of how the past has impacted on generations of Aboriginal people and how we build a community for today.
  • commits to reconciliation valuing empathy, dignity, respect and fairness. We commit to working with the community towards reconciliation and to the provision of services, programs and activities that support growth and development of Aboriginal communities (adopted by Eurobodalla Shire Council, 21 December 2010).

Contact us

For more information contact Council's Coordinator Community Development and Youth, Rhonnie South: