Historic partnership finalised on Anaiwan Country

A historic partnership between the NSW Govt and Anaiwan and Aboriginal People has seen Mount Yarrowyck Nature Reserve renamed Bulagaranda, a nod to the site's cultural history.

Anaiwan and Armidale people welcome joint management of Bulagaranda with NSW Government Source: NSW Aboriginal Land Council

A new agreement will see Aboriginal people co-manage almost 600-hectares of Country west of Armidale in New South Wales.

The Bulagaranda Aboriginal Area is a 586-hectare site on Anaiwan Country that will be jointly managed by the Anaiwan and Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Councils and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

The agreement was announced at a ceremony on Saturday at Bulagaranda, in attendance was Aboriginal owner Greg Livermore.

Anaiwan representatives at Bulagaranda joint management announcement. Source: NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Reflecting on his connection to Bulagaranda, Mr Livermore said he never believed it would be in his hands.

“I never thought when I was standing here in February 1983 when Mount Yarrowyck Nature Reserve was opened that I would come back here in April 2022 and have it returned to me as an Aboriginal owner,” he said.

“Bulagaranda always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.”

The partnership sees Anaiwan and Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Council hold the land on behalf of registered Aboriginal owners, and manage it alongside the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Bulagaranda Source: NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Previously named Mt Yarrowyck, the site was renamed as part of the announcement to Bulagaranda Aboriginal Area.

Derived from Anaiwan language, Bulagaranda acknowledges the Turkey Dreaming of the site and the Country surrounding.

NSW Minister for Environment and Heritage James Griffin said the partnership was formed in the spirit of protecting cultural heritage and strengthening relationships between NSW Government and Traditional Owners.

“Bulagaranda has immense cultural significance for the Traditional Owners. Handing it back means Traditional Owners have control of local decision-making, and ensures they can continue to have a physical and spiritual connection to their Country,” he said.

Aboriginal dancers at the Bulagaranda joint management announcement. Source: NSW Aboriginal Land Council

Speaking at the ceremony on Saturday, NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Ben Franklin credited the advocacy of Anaiwan people in building the historic partnership.

“I would like to acknowledge and celebrate the ongoing advocacy, resilience and perseverance of the Anaiwan people with the handback of Bulagaranda,” he said.

“Today is a triumphant one, where the community and those who worked so hard to achieve this can celebrate and reflect on their achievements for Bulagaranda being handed back to the Traditional Owners.”

From here both Anaiwan and Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Councils and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will develop a Board of Management for Bulagaranda Aboriginal Area.

The board will host majority Aboriginal people.