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 Acknowledgement of Country

The Shire of York acknowledges the Ballardong Noongar people who are the Traditional Owners of this Land
and their continuing connection to land, waters and community. 
We pay our respect to their Elders past, present and emerging and we extend that respect to other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this website may contain images and artwork of people who have passed away.

This website shows only information that is in the public domain, or that has been developed in consultation with local Elders and the Noongar community.

State and Regional Organisations

  • The Department of Planning Lands and Heritage provides information about legislation and protection of Aboriginal heritage in Western Australia:  Click Here
  • The Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation represents the traditional owners of the Ballardong region of the south west of Western Australia. BAC works to manage native title benefits, while also advancing and strengthening Noongar culture, language, heritage, and society:  Click Here
  • Wheatbelt NRM works with traditional owners on Country and has published a number of useful reference documents relating to Noongar culture, which can be found: Click Here
  • The Bilya Koort Boodja centre in Northam is a regional tourist attraction which offers an interactive educational experience that recognises the rich Aboriginal and environmental presence in the Nyoongar Ballardong region:  Click Here
  • Wheatbelt Aboriginal Health Service is a part of Wheatbelt Health Network a not-for-profit organisation that provides multidisciplinary primary care services across the Wheatbelt, with a centre in Northam:  Click Here
  • Keedac is a Wheatbelt Aboriginal Corporation with the mission to improve the lives of Aboriginal families in the Wheatbelt:  Click Here
  • Moorditj Koort is a community controlled, not-for-profit organisation that supports the health and wellness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in WA:  Click Here

Noongar Cultural Heritage Survey

The Shire of York has entered into a Noongar Standard Heritage Agreement with the South West Aboriginal Land and Sea Council. A Noongar Cultural Heritage Survey of Shire owned or managed land on Wongborel/Mt Brown, Walwalying/Mt Bakewell and along the Gogulyar Bilya/Avon River to standards laid down in the NSHA has been undertaken during 2021 and the survey report can be seen by Clicking Here

Aboriginal Heritage Places in the Shire of York

A number of Aboriginal Heritage Places, both Registered and Lodged Awaiting Registration, can be seen on the Department of Planning Land and Heritage Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Inquiry System which provides information concerning Aboriginal Cultural Heritage in Western Australia Click here to visit the website:

 Local Aboriginal heritage information

Information which has been developed in consultation with Ballardong Elders and community members can be seen in:

  • The displays of the Shire of York’s Residency Museum:  Click Here  
  • There is also a Noongar Six Seasons Garden Walk and accompanying leaflet:  Click Here
  • Shire of York Trails leaflets [Walks, Cycle Rides, Self drives, Greenhills]. Look for the Aboriginal flag symbol.  Click Here
  • Interpretive wastebins in York’s CBD include aspects of Ballardong Noongar culture, with names of places, flora and fauna in dual language with the Noongar name first.

Key Dates

Some key dates relating to Noongar culture are:

  • National Reconciliation Week - 27 May to 3 June - Exploring how Australians can collaborate to achieve justice and rights for First Nations peoples in Australia.  Click Here
  • NAIDOC Week - First week of July  - Celebrating the achievements, cultures and histories of First Nations peoples.  Click Here
  • Other relevant dates can be found by Clicking Here

Shire of York Reconciliation Action Plan

Since 2006, Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) have enabled organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. The Shire of York has recently had its Stage 1 ‘Reflect’ RAP approved by Reconciliation Australia. We thank the members of the RAP Development Working Group who helped to form this document.

Shire of York Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan can be found Here

  • A Reflect RAP helps prepare an organisation to engage in reconciliation meaningfully.

Find out more about the National Reconciliation Action Plan process Here

  • The State peak body for reconciliation is Reconciliation WA (RWA) a not-for-profit organisation providing leadership, advocacy and support to people and organisations driving the reconciliation movement in Western Australia. See what they do Here

Shire of York Aboriginal Advisory Group

The Aboriginal Advisory Group has resulted from the Shire’s Strategic Community Plan 2020-2030

Found Here as part of Priority 5.3 Continuous improvement of governance.

  • Matters relating to the Shire of York Noongar community are raised and discussed by the Aboriginal Advisory Group. Topics can be raised by the Shire or by the Group members.

Any Aboriginal Shire of York resident may be invited to attend as a guest by a group member.

  • The Aboriginal Advisory Group meets quarterly in March, June, September and December.

Currently the group is formed every two years after Council elections in October, submissions to join the group are then advertised in York Community matters, the Shire’s website and Facebook page.  

  • Terms of Reference can be seen Here                      

Shire of York Cultural Burning Project

A two-year pilot project to re-establish Traditional Cultural Burning on Wongborel/Mt Brown and the Gogulyar Bilya/Avon Riverbanks Crown land vested in the Shire of York is in progress.  This project acknowledges the funding contribution of the Commonwealth Government and support from the State Emergency Management Committee, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program.  These areas are Registered or Lodged for Registration Aboriginal Heritage Places. The reintroduction of Traditional Cultural Burning by the local Noongar community will enable revegetation and reduce fire risk.

During 2023, ten local Noongar residents completed two Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) training courses. These DFES trained volunteers have condcted small-scale, low intensity controlled cool burns on Shire-managed Reserves during 2023 and 2024 under the supervision of DFES personnel, with a fire truck and additional trained Bushfire Brigade members on standby on each occasion.

 

  • What Is Cultural Burning?

Traditional Cultural Burning is also known as Mosaic Burning, because small areas are burned each season, forming a mosaic pattern of burned and unburned land, with vegetation at different growth stages.

Fire is applied in the right season, at the right time and in the right way to ensure:

  • Flames stay low, preserving the canopy of trees
  • The fire burns slowly
  • Only some fuels are burnt, creating mosaics
  • Insects and animals can move away from the fire
  • Nutrients in the soil aren’t affected
  • Seed germination is supported
  • Flowering and nesting seasons are considered.

From: Cultural Burning Fact Sheet, DFES Bushfire Centre of Excellence, September 2021, read the full document Here

  • More information about Cultural Burning can be found Here

The Shire of York thanks the DFES Bushfire Centre of Excellence Cultural Fire program for their support and advice for this project.

  • When does it occur?

During the cool season only. The procedure is highly weather-dependent but burns may occur during autumn, winter and spring. Notices/tape will be posted at entrances to hill paths and Pioneer Drive, so please don’t ignore these, for your own safety.              

Notifications will also be posted via the Shire’s Facebook page.  you can view the page by clicking Here and Voice of the Avon Community Radio.

You can also contact Troy Granville, Shire of York Community Emergency Services Manager via: troy.granville@dfes.wa.com.au   0427 057719 if you have specific questions relating to Burning days.

  • How do I take part?

The Cultural Burning Group is for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents only.

Two DFES training courses must be completed before taking part in practical burns. Please contact Troy Granville, Shire of York Community Emergency Services Manager via: troy.granville@dfes.wa.com.au   0427 057719 if you are interested, more volunteers are always welcome.

This project acknowledges the funding contribution of the Commonwealth Government and support from the State Emergency Management Committee, through the National Disaster Risk Reduction Grants Program.