Final preparations are being made for the Back to Bulgandramine Cultural Gathering on June 1-2 at Bulgandramine Mission site.

The site is located 23 kilometres from Peak Hill on the Bugandramine Road.

The day will commence at 10am with a traditional smoking ceremony and welcome to country. We are looking forward to welcoming supporting organisations with stands and activities after lunch.

We are looking forward to welcoming George Mannah from DPI who will be providing Cultural Fishing workshops for kids with a focus on traditional fishing, rules and regulations, cleaning, knot tying, line rigging and baiting, casting techniques and Aboriginal culture. There will be two afternoon sessions.

We also have boomerang throwing workshops, language workshops, the Police Activity Van, Mission Australia, Arts out West with Grass Animal Making, and heaps more.

From 3pm we will welcome Graham Kelly from Central West Local Land Services talking about Cultural Burning and hopefully, if conditions are right on the day, we will be able to undertake a burn.

As well as providing fuel and hrzard reduction roles, burning can protect areas of cultural significance or provide access and impact our native woodlands and grasslands in a way that no other event can, providing opportunities for seed and plant stimulation. There are many layers of significance to cultural burning and this will be a wonderful opportunity to gain a better understanding of fire to promote the right type of vegetation and the use of cool fire for protection and restoration of biodiversity. It is hoped that the workshop will also give us a greater appreciation of the connection of Country and wellbeing.

After a successful Gathering held in 2016, we are hoping to build on the workshops and keep a focus on the importance of reconciliation.

If you or your organisation are able to contribute in some way, I would be thrilled to hear from you. This is a free event celebration as part of Reconciliation Week, with many people contributing their time and gifts to bring this wonderful event to the community. We are pleased to be working with the Bogan River Peak Hill Wiradjuri Aboriginal Corporation, Peak Hill Aboriginal Working Party and the Central West Local Land Services.

Let us know you are coming to the event, by registering at www.stickytickets.com.au/85264.

For more information, go to our website at centralwestlachlanlandcare.org, facebook, twitter or Instagram @cwllandcare.

Until next week, happy Landcaring!