The Wiradjuri Council of Elders held their first post COVID meeting at the Parkes Shire Council last month. The members are (L-R) Sadie Heckenberg (Melbourne), Irene Ridgeway (Parkes), Sue Peachey (Dubbo), Tony Peachey (Dubbo), Robyn Heckenberg (Perth), David Acheson (Forbes), Brad Bliss (Orange), Rob Clegg (Parkes), Ray Woods (Hay) and Midnight Brydon (Narromine).
After a COVID hiatus, the Wiradjuri Council of Elders was able to meet again at the end of last month at the Parkes Shire Council.
“This was not the first collaboration between Parkes Shire and the Wiradjuri Elders,” said secretary/treasurer David Acheson. “Parkes Shire Council has provided a venue for previous meetings in Parkes and looked after the elders extremely well.”
Parkes Mayor Ken Keith OAM was on hand to welcome the Elders. Discussions at the meeting ranged from water to emerging Elders. A Zoom link was also trilled successfully for future meetings and the Elders from Lithgow were able to attend via Zoom.
According to David, Wiradjuri culture dictates meetings follow the Yindyamarra (to respect, to honour) protocol. The Wiradjuri Nation is geographically the largest indigenous nation in NSW and probably the largest in terms of population.
The boundary of the Wiradjuri Nation extends from Coonabarabran in the north, straddling the Great Dividing Range down to the Murray River and out to western NSW.
The Wiradjuri Council of Elders is comprised members from all over Wiradjuri Country and had its first meeting in 1989.