More than 80 people of all ages made the trip to nin garang thurree currobung (The Place Between the Rocks) on April 14.

The event is to acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the Gundungurra and D'harawal peoples.

Peter Swain, of the Warrambinga/Wiradjuri nation and Dabee people lead the Smoking Ceremony which commenced with dancers Erin Logan, Aunty Trish Levett and Aunty Wendy Lotter performing a Cleansing dance.

Erin then acknowledged the Gundungurra and D'harawal peoples as the traditional owners of the area; paying respect to the Elders past, present and future.

She emphasised that the event was held on Aboriginal land and recognised the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and cultures in this country.  

Attendees were then invited to join in the circle, while the men created the rhythm with the clapping sticks and boomerangs, and moved in a circle around the healing smoke, stomping to alert the Ancestors that they were on the land.

Wingecarribee Reconciliation Group Chairperson and event organiser Kim Leevers then invited Murri activist/poet Ken Canning (Burraga Gutya) to read his poem The Mother of Love from his anthology "Yimbana".

Ken also spoke of the importance of culture and how he enjoyed and respected the day’s ceremony as it placed culture first. 

The Koori and Torres Strait Islander flags were then taken from within the circle and raised at nin garang thurree currobung by Patrick Logan and Jeremy Johnson.

Then accompanied by Peter and Patrick on didgeridoo everyone then moved out to the Gundungurra Lookout to flash the mirror to the Blue Mountains People for Reconciliation at Leura.

As people scrambled for a view point the mobile phone confirmed that the Highlands’ flash was being seen in the Blue Mountains, more than 80kms away.

An exclamation went up as people saw the Blue Mountains flash on the horizon.

Lee Borradale from Bundanoon attended the event for the first time and said he “enjoyed and appreciated the day".

Mr Leevers said he had enjoyed this year’s ceremony once again and looked forward to next year’s mirror flash on April 13.

“Thanks once again to Peter and Simona from Snax on Trax for the coffee and cakes, to CareAway Tours who provided a bus for people unable to walk into nin garang thurree currobung, and to Peter Swain and his assistants for his tremendous didgeridoo playing and smoking ceremony, and to all the who made the effort to come along people and enjoy the afternoon,” he said.

“If people would like to know more about WRG, the Flagraising or reconciliation generally, please email us at reconciliation.wingecarribee@gmail.com.”