In Anno Itinerantur - I is for Indigenous

In the past year since  travel opened up for Australians Robert and I have taken several journeys at home and overseas. While I posted many photos of these adventures on Facebook I want to leave a more permanent record of some of our adventures. This challenge provides me with opportunities to share my photos and stories while recording some personal history. 

I plan to share photos and stories from our travels between April 2022 and March 2023.  My theme this year is In Anno Itinerantur. 

I believe that my 3x Great-Grandmother, Biddy Sergeant, was a woman of the Kamilaroi nation. My heritage has fuelled my interest in First Nations people and history.

During the past year I was fortunate to visit several sites that provide insight into First Nations History.

At Willow Tree, a small town in Kamilaroi country in north western New South Wales there is a display devoted to the Kamilaroi. I had my camera in hand when we made a stop there. The display is set on the highway in a park near the railway station and pub. It has several interpretative signboards and a winding path with several sections showing aboriginal symbols. 

On a visit to the Sculptures in the Scrub walking track in Timmallallie National Park NSW we saw sculptures that were created through artists collaborating with local Aboriginal Elders and young people. These pieces tell stories of local Aboriginal history and culture. Some images follow.

On our Coral Expeditions cruise through the Kimberley region in remote North Western Australia we visited sites of significance to First Nations peoples. Of particular interest were the rock paintings we were able to view.

The first site visited was on Jar Island in Vansittart Bay where the Gwion Gwion (Bradshaw) Aboriginal rock paintings are estimated to be up to 20,000 years old. We were pleased that we were in the company of a guide who could find and point out the images for us. 

At the site on Bigge Island or Wuuyuru in the land of the Wunambal people we saw several clear paintings in caves. These included depictions of Wandjina figures and tales of first contact between Aboriginal society and other peoples.

Caves and Sculptures in the Bush

 We set off on our Sunday Drive in beautiful weather.

We left the sealed Newell Highway and joined a dirt road, the Pilliga Forest Way, towards our first stop the Salt Caves. These are situated in a well resourced picnic area in Timmallallie National Park. Thankfully we were in a large 4WD as the road was uneven. 

We passed on climbing the viewing tower

Robert explored inside the cave

From the inside looking out

Picnic Area

After scoffing our picnic lunch we headed for our next stop The Sculptures in the Scrub further south in Timmallallie National Park. As we drove towards this second site we noticed clouds gathering in the direction of the sculptures.

By the time we reached the turnoff to the sculptures light rain was falling but we continued on our journey.

Turnoff to Dandry Gorge where the sculptures are situated

The rain followed us all the way to the carpark. We sat and pondered, I decided to pass on the hike as I was concerned about falling on the slippery path and I didn't want to get wet (we had no rain gear or change of clothes) and end up with chest issues. Robert decided to take off on a truncated walk to view the sculptures while I sat in the car and enjoyed the peaceful environment. 

Following are some of Robert's photos. Having seen them I hope to return one day when the conditions are more suitable.

In spite of the rain we had a splendid day. As this post is already long enough I will post another with some other images we captured. What made this excursion even more special was that it was in the lands of my Kamillaroi/Gamilaroi ancestors.