Warning.
This page contains images and audio of deceased traditional people.
This page contains images and audio of deceased traditional people.
What Makes Australia's Stonehenge Unique.
Most sacred sites in Australia are exclusively owned by a certain tribe and are rightfully of concern only to them.
This site is unique in all of Australia because it is widely accepted that many tribes share its origins and the whole earth is part of its purpose. Byron Bay, the largest town to where the site is located, was called by the Aboriginal people, Cavanbah, which means 'meeting place'.
There is overwhelming support and blessing from Aboriginals from many tribes to share knowledge of it to all people.
The Forgotten Origin, YouTube Video Interview, made near the sacred site, has Elders speak of its importance to the world.
These Elders are representatives of the Ngaraakbul (Ngeraakwal) and Remindjeri tribes, united under Southern Law. These elders who spoke under the banner of Wirritjin - "Black Fella White Fella Dreaming" tell us that the stone arrangements, put there by the ancestors many thousands of years ago, is a blessing and gift for all humanity.
These elders say that it is for the entire world to share and embrace.
They acknowledge that the Australia’s Stonehenge will bring back the foundation of how we can all live with each other.
They tell us that this stone arrangement and mound is not for a single tribe or about secrecy. The site was built and is meant for about coming together as one and making decisions on equal terms. The dreaming story, through this site can come to fruition and that is one of peace and harmony between blacks and whites.
This site is unique in all of Australia because it is widely accepted that many tribes share its origins and the whole earth is part of its purpose. Byron Bay, the largest town to where the site is located, was called by the Aboriginal people, Cavanbah, which means 'meeting place'.
There is overwhelming support and blessing from Aboriginals from many tribes to share knowledge of it to all people.
The Forgotten Origin, YouTube Video Interview, made near the sacred site, has Elders speak of its importance to the world.
These Elders are representatives of the Ngaraakbul (Ngeraakwal) and Remindjeri tribes, united under Southern Law. These elders who spoke under the banner of Wirritjin - "Black Fella White Fella Dreaming" tell us that the stone arrangements, put there by the ancestors many thousands of years ago, is a blessing and gift for all humanity.
These elders say that it is for the entire world to share and embrace.
They acknowledge that the Australia’s Stonehenge will bring back the foundation of how we can all live with each other.
They tell us that this stone arrangement and mound is not for a single tribe or about secrecy. The site was built and is meant for about coming together as one and making decisions on equal terms. The dreaming story, through this site can come to fruition and that is one of peace and harmony between blacks and whites.
Karno Walker
|
One of the elders, Karno Walker, before he passed on, encouraged Richard Patterson, who rediscovered the site in 2013, to find out more about the stone arrangement complex and to share his findings.Karno was chairman of the Ramindjeri Heritage Association and spoke at the United Nation in Geneva, Switzerland on Australian Aboriginal land rights
|
|
That the land and the site upon it is meant to be for all people is supported by history given by local Aboriginal People. It is described as such in the booklet ‘Nonarng Cultural Sanctuary.’ Independently published this booklet was written in 1996 and one of the last works by Aboriginal activist and author Lorraine Mafi Williams. (1940-2001)
|
|
Lorraine was the daughter of a local Bunjalung Aboriginal man. She helped found the Black Theatre in Newtown, Sydney that started many people such as Eddie Mabo and Brian Brown in acting and political careers. Lorrain was a filmmaker and her short film Eelemarni won the Erwin Rado Award For Best Australian Film, Melbourne Film Festival, 1988. She was also a writer and storyteller, and edited Spirit Song, the first anthology of Aboriginal poetry, published by Omnibus Books in 1993.
|
Lorrain was the niece and a student of Aunty Millie Boyd. This 'Clever Woman' was known internationally as a tribal teacher of ancestral culture, lore and custom of her people and as a keeper of knowledge of the tribes associated with where Stonehenge is located. Aunty Boyd was the granddaughter of 'King' Billy Andrews. The leading keeper of Aboriginal lore in the region.
|
A portrait of ‘Derriba’ (‘Terriba’) William Andrews of Murwillumbah taken at Tweed Heads in 1904. aka 'King Billy’
|
Lorraine, spoke Bunjalung, Githrabaul, Knarkbaul and English. Lorraine was a keeper of lineages and lore. In her book, ‘Nonarng Cultural Sanctuary.’ Lorrain wrote the following about the land that Australia’s Stonehenge was built on in her book ‘Nonarng Cultural Sanctuary'.
|
‘So, within that area a long time ago our people used to come from all over Australia down to here to Byron Bay believe it or not, to have big lore making ceremonies. They used to go for three to six months. When people gathered, people coming in canoes and across the land, I was told was 2,000-3,000 strong. So you can imagine the lore making going, especially the dancing with all those paints and feathers. Oh, it must have been wonderful…Which means this here is no man’s land nobody could lay claim to it. Nobody. No Aboriginal person. Nope. Because it was open land for all to feel comfortable and make lore here, no matter where they came from.’
|
Lorraine Mafi-Williams, reading from her book 'Spirit Song', 1993/ photo taken by Bob Cummin.
|
The land of Australia's Stonehenge was known far and wide as a place for all people to come together and share knowledge is emphasised in the following extract from an interview with Lorraine Mafi Williams on Byron Bay's FM radio on 7 December 1997.
"The Bundjalung Elders would sit up on the Cape and welcome the people who came by canoe and the inland walking tracks.... A long time ago, our people used to come from all over Australia to Byron Bay. They came from as far away as Tasmania, Bathurst Island and the Kimberley. They came here to have big lore-making ceremonies."