A small but appreciative crowd gathered at Parkes Shire Library for the launch and presentation to the community of 12 oral histories about local Wiradjuri culture and history.
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These histories will become a valuable resource in the library’s local history collection and recognise the importance of the contribution of the Wiradjuri community to the history and life of Parkes.
Parkes Shire Library secured a grant of $27,840 for their ‘Recording and Retelling Local Wiradjuri Stories, An Oral Cultural and Historical’ project through the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport Indigenous Culture Support Program.
The aim of this project was to collect local aboriginal oral histories from the Parkes Wiradjuri community and to preserve and pass on these memories before they are lost.
The launch commenced with The Welcome to Country performed by Kerry Gilbert and Ron Wardrop.
Deputy Mayor Alan Ward then welcomed everyone to the launch and thanked the Wiradjrui community for taking part in the project.
Robert Clegg, one of the participants, spoke on the importance of collecting stories, particularly oral stories, and preserving them for future generations.
Dr Michael Bennett, the oral historian engaged to record and transcribe the histories, gave a brief talk on the development and completion of the project and the role of NTS Corp in compiling aboriginal family trees.
Each of the oral history participants were given a small present to thank them for their involvement in the project.
A draft ‘Aboriginal history of the Parkes Shire’ was also presented at the launch by Dr Michael Bennett.
A final version of this document will be available later in the year.
Local History officer Eileen Newport managed the project, working with Parkes Shire Council’s Aboriginal Project Officer, the Parkes Shire Elders Advisory Group and the Parkes Wiradjuri Language Group.
Members of the local Wiradjuri community are especially invited to come and view and listen to these oral histories and it is hoped that more will be recorded in the future.
Members of the community are asked to bring earphones to listen to the recordings.
For members of the community who wish to trace their Aboriginal heritage Eileen is available at the library to help with the initial research for them and is able to pass on their requests to NTS Corp.
She can be contacted on 6861 2309 or eileen.newport@parkes.nsw.gov.au
