Following a request by a local Ballardong Noongar Elder, Council agreed at the August Council meeting to change one of the signs on a granite column on Wongborel/ Mt Brown, which did not acknowledge the existence of Indigenous people in the area for tens of thousands of years before 1830. This attitude commonly occurred in the 1960s when it is believed the plaque was installed but is not acceptable today.
On researching the details on the plaque, it was discovered that the plaque was factually incorrect. The plaque has been removed and will be replaced by two plaques, one acknowledging the Ballardong Noongar Traditional Owners and another with the story of the exploration of the York area by settlers in 1830.
The Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement with SWALSC and forthcoming survey
Shire owned or managed Crown reserves on Wongborel/Mt. Brown, Walwalying/Mt. Bakewell and along the Avon River were identified in the recent Shire of York Trails Master Plan as possible places for future trails, or formalising existing trails. The Shire has already commissioned a Flora and Fauna survey and a Dieback survey of Wongborel/Mt Brown which can be seen here: https://www.york.wa.gov.au/community/park-gardens/trails.aspx
At the September Council Meeting, Council agreed to enter a Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. This means that before any trails development is undertaken, a Noongar Cultural Heritage Survey will be undertaken by SWALSC to standards laid down in the NSHA in order to identify and record culturally sensitive sites.
Development of a RAP [Reconciliation Action Plan]
At the recent November Council Concept Forum, Council agreed to the Shire of York commencing a Reconciliation Action Plan. This is a four-stage process undertaken to national standards defined by Reconcilation Australia. Stage 1 is ‘Reflect’ where organisations reflect upon what they do already, what needs to be done and form a RAP Working Group including local Traditional Owners to guide the RAP process. Find out more here: https://www.reconciliation.org.au/reconciliation-action-plans/ Any Ballardong Noongar person who would like to be involved or kept in touch about the process is invited to contact Shire Arts & Cultural Heritage Officer Carol Littlefair on 96410500 or e: records@york.wa.gov.au