Aboriginal Warringah
This page is intended as a resource for both Aboriginal people and members of the broader community who wish to learn more about our Indigenous nation and its rich culture. It includes:
- 2009 Guringai Festival
- Warringah Reconciliation Action Plan
- Warringah origin
- Warringah Council's flannel flower Reconciliation artwork
- Warringah Council's Statement of Commitment
- Aboriginal Heritage Officer
- Guringai Festival
- Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan 2007-2011
- Links to Aboriginal Services
Warringah Reconciliation Action Plan
Warringah Council's first Reconciliation Strategy was adopted in 1998. To mark its tenth anniversary and the Apology to The Stolen Generations by the Prime Minister in February 2008 a new Reconciliation Action Plan has been written. The new Plan is in keeping with Reconciliation Australia’s framework and has achieved their official endorsement.
Warringah’s Reconciliation Action Plan was prepared in consultation with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community members, Reconciliation Australia and Indigenous agencies and was adopted by Council on 9 September, 2008. The Plan recommends a range of actions to further reconciliation in the local area and to enhance Council’s services, ceremonial practices and employment practices to enable greater participation of local Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people in the life of Warringah and its council. Click here to download the Warringah Reconciliation Action Plan (PDF, 1.5MB).
Warringah origin
Warringah is situated on the lands of the Guringai people. Council acknowledges the Guringai as the original owners of this coastal area, bordered to the south by Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour), to the north by Broken Bay and to the west by the Lane Cove River.
The name Warringah is Aboriginal in origin. Its meaning is variously defined as:
- The south side of Middle Harbour
- Middle Harbour
- Grey head
- Signs of rain
According to the 2006 Census there are 457 people living in Warringah who identify as being Indigenous (up from 420 in 2001). This represents 0.3 per cent of the total population.
Warringah's Flannel Flower Reconciliation Artwork
This Reconciliation artwork was designed by
Leanne Tobin, a direct descendent of Yarramundi - a Boorooberongal tribal elder of the Darug nation.
The flannel flower represents Warringah. The white dots emanating from the centre are the ‘Seeds of Reconciliation’ being dispersed through the community by people who are joined in commitment to Reconciliation.
The yellow symbolises the land and beaches of Warringah - part of the lands originally belonging to the Guringai people. The blue symbolises Warringah's waters - the sea, lakes and estuaries.
Artwork used with permission.
Statement of Commitment
Warringah Council acknowledges that Indigenous Australians were the first people of this land. We celebrate the survival of Indigenous Australians and their culture following the devestating impact of European colonisation. We support the right of Indigenous Australians to determine their own future.
The arrival of Europeans brought massive change to the Guringai people who were the original inhabitants of our local area and we mourn their suffering and loss.
Today, Warringah is populated by people drawn from Indigenous and many other cultures. Warringah Council is committed to the values of tolerance and respect. This Council is also committed to the process of Reconciliation both locally and nationally.
We accept our responsibility to develop an awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal history and culture which, we believe, strengthens and enriches our lives. Warringah Council is also committed to respecting, protecting and managing Aboriginal sacred sites and special places.
We encourage Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people to work together to celebrate their different cultures and to go forward together.
Aboriginal Heritage Officer
In 2000, Warringah Council participated in the joint employment (with North Sydney, Lane Cove and Willoughby Councils) of an Aboriginal Heritage Officer.
Achievements from this initiative include advice to Council's assessment officers when considering Development Applications. A comprehensive Aboriginal site survey at Council's JJ Melbourne Hills Reserve at Terrey Hills was completed several years ago.
Guringai Festival
2009 is the ninth year of the Guringai Festival and will be held at various locations across the northern Sydney region between 25 May to 12 July. This year’s theme is Star Dreaming to coincide with the Year of Astronomy. The Festival involves ten councils and numerous reconciliation and community groups. Events at this year's festival include workshops, art exhibitions, performances, films and talks. More on the Guringai Festival (PDF, 868KB).
Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan 2007-2011
Aboriginal organisations and ten councils from the Northern Sydney region, including Warringah, have assisted in developing the Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan (2007-2011). The plan outlines a regional approach to guide Aboriginal organisations and local, state and federal government agencies in addressing the social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
To coordinate the plan’s implementation, we, together with Manly, Pittwater, Mosman, North Sydney, Lane Cove, Hunters hill, Willoughby, Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai councils, contribute to the employment of an Aboriginal Project Officer.
The Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan for 2007-2011 can be viewed as a complete document or in sections:
- Section 1: Acknowledgements, The Fish Story, Acronyms, Contents (PDF, 513KB)
- Section 2: Forward, Executive Summary, Introduction (PDF, 573KB)
- Section 3: History of the Plan, Theses from Aboriginal Social Plan 2000-04, Methodology for Updating the Northern Sydney Aboriginal Social Plan (PDF, 689KB)
- Section 4: Background to the Community, Relationship to other Policies and Agencies, Themes and Recommendations (PDF, 1.8MB)
- Section 5: Appendix A, B, C, D, E, Bibliography (PDF, 2.1MB)
- Complete document (PDF, 7.25MB)
For further information on Aboriginal services click on links below:
