The Gaawaadhi Gadudha logo artwork is by Laurance Magick Dennis. It represents the meeting of fresh (Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay) and salt (Yuin-Djirringanj) water. The horseshoe-like shapes are people sitting around a fire. The oval image at the centre is a coolamon (traditional carrying vessel). The dots around the image are ancestors looking on.

While we use the word ‘Aboriginal’ to explain the terminology of ‘the health gap’ in current research and policy, we would like to acknowledge it as a colonised term. We advocate for shifting to the use of cultural group names as identifiers. Where this is not possible, we use ‘Indigenous’.

Connection over Country, culture and community at Dharriwaa

This article is based on a conversation between Ted Fields and Premila Foster

In April this year, Gamilaraay/Yuwaalaraay man Ted Fields faced a tough decision. His homeland, Narran Lakes, was experiencing an unexpected influx of mosquitoes—right when he planned to hold his annual walaay or cultural camp.

The walaay is organised by Burruguu, a non-for-profit organisation led by two of our Chief Investigators and Cultural Knowledge Holders, Ted and Shelly Fields. A walaay brings together Indigenous people from across NSW to experience culture and connect with sacred country.

Walaay are usually held at Dharriwaa within Narran Lakes in North-Western NSW. However, extensive rain and flooding throughout NSW and Queensland this March created increased water in places that were normally dry. These conditions supplied a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes and camping make poor bedfellows. Ted and Shelly needed to be particularly mindful of this, considering the large numbers of children and adults, who were expected to gather at Dharriwaa.

Ted and Shelly decided to postpone this year’s walaay, ensuring that every participant has a positive experience. “We don’t want the experience to be tainted,” Ted emphasised.

Image: Ted Fields speaks to mob at a walaay at Dharriwaa (photo by Anthony Zwi)

Walaay: More than a camp

Walaay, the Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay/Euahlayi word for 'camp,' was adopted by Ted to describe a particular way of reconnecting with Country. Ted chose to move away from phrasing such as "back to Country", which lacked a cultural resonance.

“It sounded like a whitefella term. I may have used that many years ago to get the concept across...and using that language could get support for walaay.”

Walaays emphasise connection and promote learning about culture and Country in natural landscapes. Through years of hosting the camps, Ted and Shelly have seen firsthand how they improve mob’s lives.

Preliminary studies undertaken by Gaawaadhi Gadhudha show that walaays—and its South Coast counterpart dhugan—are beneficial to cultural health. Yet, access to cultural landscapes (areas minimally affected by colonisation) remains a major challenge. This is something walaay aims to address.

Dharriwaa: A place for all

Narran Lakes is a culturally and environmentally important place. Dharriwaa is a cultural precinct within the Narran Lakes system where walaay camps take place.

Dharriwaa means 'a place for all'.

Fittingly, it is a vital wetland and bird-breeding habitat, visited by migratory birds from as far as Siberia and Alaska.

For generations, Dharriwaa has been a meeting place for diverse language groups and cultural communities. It has sustained large gatherings through winter. The abundance of resources such as birds, eggs and native plants have supported mob getting together over time.

Cultural responsibilities

Ted’s deep connection to Dharriwaa stems from his ancestors, who entrusted him with the responsibility of protecting this land. His bubaa (father) was Yuwaalaraay/Euahlayi, and his guni (mother) had Yuwaalaraay, Euahlayi, Gamilaraay and Murrawari heritage.

From an early age, Ted was immersed in Country, camping and living in the bush and learning from his father and elders.

“Dad was such a gifted stockman. He was able to have good relations with any land holders which gave him access to cultural sites,” he recalls.

Various creation stories and dreaming tracks emanate from the spot indicating its deep cultural significance.

Looking after Country

As a Yuwaalaraay/Gamilaraay man, Ted holds the same responsibilities as his ancestors—to care for and protect Narran Lakes. “This is not so much a story about yesterday as it is about today and tomorrow.”

Ted sees that looking after Country once meant being present, practising cultural land management (eg. cultural burning) and maintaining the delicate ecosystem. Today, threats like agriculture, opal mining, the overgrowth of native plants, water extraction and invasive species—like the destructive European carp—require monitoring. According to Ted, the extinction rate of NSW’s native mammals since colonisation is staggering. Even Ted’s mother’s totem or dingaa which is meat, has disappeared from Narran Lakes.

Ted understands that when Country suffers, so do its people.

"Country gets sick, mob gets sick. You see it all the time."

He explains that mining, monoculture, and environmental degradation can disconnect Indigenous communities from their lands and heritage, leading to physical and emotional distress.

Narran now: A healthy balance

Although Dharriwaa looks different from its pre-colonial state, its protected lakes remain relatively healthy. A recent study recorded 39 species of waterbirds, various types of fish, turtles, frog molluscs and crustaceans at Narran Lakes.

Ted envisions restoring traditional land management practices to support biodiversity. Conversations with conservation groups continue exploring ways to reintroduce native marsupials and strengthen ecological resilience.

Looking ahead: Rolling with the punches

Ted’s approach to environmental pressures is flexible yet culturally informed. “You gotta roll with the punches. Some of us are lucky enough to visit Country when the seasons are right and we need to take those opportunities when we can."

With that mindset, walaay will return later this year in a smaller form—ensuring community members can experience the power of Dharriwaa under better conditions.

An adaptation of walaay and dhugan will form part of Gaawaadhi Gadudha’s upcoming cultural health program trial.

Images: Entry into Narran Lakes Nature Reserve (photo by Brooke Brady), one of the lakes at Dharriwaa (photo by Aryati Yashadhana), smoking to welcome visitors to Dharriwaa (photo by Anthony Zwi)