On Thursday 24th August, NCNS Aboriginal workers Leonie Haines and Bronwyn Nuttall along with teachers Nicole Wallington and Sarah Stonestreet, from Cranebrook High School, had the privilege to take 25 young females from Cranebrook High School on a trip to The Three Sisters. The 25 students had been learning the different stories that have been told about the three sisters.
We had the opportunity to meet Uncle Lester who was our tour guide, and he explained the different artefacts, wildlife and bush tucker founded in the Blue Mountains and how it is significant to the area. Leonie was asked to help Uncle Lester out with some of his artefacts. Whilst Leonie stood there, she was given a dilly bag which she placed around her forehead and the bag sat on her back. This is used to collect foods and place them inside, for example berries. She was then given a coolamon to place on top of her head. This is used to carry water or foods and to place a newborn baby in.
Next was a digging stick to be able to find different foods in the ground. Aboriginal women were also Hunters and Collectors.
Uncle Lester then took us on a bushwalk to show us the different medicinal bushes for certain injuries and sores that you can use if you get injured in the bush. He also spoke about the lyrebird and how important his role is in the mountains.
The last leg of our walk, we saw a Bower Bird’s nest. It is coming into mating season for the Bower Bird, and he has his little nest looking pretty, waiting for his mate to show. You can see the blue materials he has collected to put into his nest.
We all had an amazing day and learnt many new things!
