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WHILE many Bathurst residents celebrated 200 years of prosperity on May 7, a section of the community was marking 200 years of survival.
It is known that throughout history the original custodians of the land were not always treated with kindness, love and respect.
When Bathurst previously celebrated its major milestones, it had not been as inclusive as it was at yesterday’s festivities.
This time around, however, the Wiradyuri people were included in significant ways.
As mayor Gary Rush stated during his own address, the history of Bathurst is not “merely a one-sided story”, and with the addition of Dinawan Dyirribang to the official proceedings of the reinstatement of Macquarie’s flag staff, the Aboriginal side of the story could be told.
Mr Dyirribang explained how, 200 years ago, they were aware that other people were claiming the land and that they in fact watched on from a distance as Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaimed the area as Bathurst.
The history of the Wiradyuri people, and the other tribes that were brought to Bathurst over the years, were detailed and eventually led to the important statement about what Bathurst’s future would bring.
“This is a new beginning for us to work together and for us to be treated a equals because we have never been treated as equals before ... we were all cast aside,” Mr Dyirribang said.
It was evident throughout the ceremony that Bathurst was indeed stepping forward with the Wiradyuri people.
School children performed the traditional Wiradyuri welcome sweep and dance, Mr Dyirribang carried out the smoking ceremony and cleansed the other dignitaries, and Cr Rush was presented with a possum skin cloak, which he wore with pride throughout the ceremony.
However, most importantly, the Aboriginal flag was raised to fly alongside the Union Jack and the Australian flag.
Mr Dyirribang was pleased with the ceremony but said it was a bittersweet moment for the Wiradyuri people.
“Hopefully, it will spread to other councils and have them engage with their own Aboriginal people,” he said.
