Aboriginal owners in July 2004 and was leased back to the Minister under Part 4A of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Penny Sharpe attended along with a number of local residents and staff from National Parks and Wildlife. ▪ Photos contributed
More than 100 people gathered at the Mt Grenfell Historic Site on Saturday to mark 20 years since Labor handed back one of the state’s most well preserved Aboriginal sites to the Ngiyampaa Wangaapuwan people.
Mt Grenfell protects more than 1,300 rock art drawings of the Ngiyampaa Wangaapuwan people, telling the stories of their ancestors, their connection to the land, and the enduring importance of this special place.
The historic site was handed back by Labor Environment Minister Bob Debus on July 12, 2004. It was only the second time in the history of NSW that land had returned to its traditional owners under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
This handback was followed in 2020 by the creation of the Mount Grenfell National Park and State Conservation Area which increased the land handed back to over 17,000 hectares.
These parks are held in trust by the Cobar Local Aboriginal Land Council for the Ngiyampaa community and are managed under a joint management agreement with NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Mount Grenfell Board of Management, that sees the conservation and cultural values continue to be protected.
The important cultural landscape also protects at least 195 bird and animal species, including 12 threatened species such as the kultarr and the little pied bat.
For 20 years the Board of Management has overseen the growth of the protected area to preserve the valuable cultural and natural landscape.
The Board has promoted and fostered connection to country and education within the community and mentored the next generation creating a Junior Board, where valuable knowledge and skills are passed down, preparing members to take future leadership roles in the community.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage Penny Sharpe attended the 20 years celebrations and said it had been a privilege to be present to help mark the occasion.
“Mount Grenfell Historic Site was the second of the first parks in the state to be handed back to Aboriginal ownership and the Board’s continued success deserves to be celebrated,” Minister Sharpe said
“There is nothing more important in our steps towards righting past wrongs than Aboriginal people owning, connecting with and managing country.”
Mount Grenfell Board Chair Denise Hampton said it was a proud day for the board.
“The Mt Grenfell Board is proud of everything we have done, and the achievements of our people before us in advancing this important site over the last 20 years.
“This is part of us and is critical to our well-being and our future generations. It is where we come together, to tell stories and learn and feel our ancestors guiding us forward.”
Cobar Mayor Jarrod Marsden said the event was well attended and was a credit to those that organised it.
“It had been a while since I had been out there and the facilities are impressive.
“It is clear to me from spending a day listening that the way Mt Grenfell is being managed is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when the right thing is done by the right people,” Cr Marsden said.
