Wahluu Wiradyuri

"Dhuluny" - commemorating the war of resistance by the Wiradyuri 1824 to 2024

A community commemoration of the Wiradyuri Homeland wars and the declaration of martial law in Bathurst the meaning of Dhuluny (dhu-loin) "truth, rectitude, that which is direct, straight, living or gospel".

The Junior Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) and GWTY discussed with the Elders the core components of the design. The spear and shield are symbolic of the resistance that Aboriginal people showed against martial law, and our resistance and strength then, now, and for the past 200 years.

In the centre of the design, there are 5 circles which represent the mob on Wiradyuri Country. The light blue also represents the water, the Wambuul, that flows through our Country along with the mountains in the shadows, which are at the top and bottom of the shield.

The diamond: the yellow and orange represent brightness of the sun, its connection to Aboriginal people, and our capacity to survive through dark times.

And let's not forget our fallen warriors, men, women and children, who fought to death to protect our way of life. They are represented by the red dots, symbolic of bloodshed, in the middle of the circles and on the spears.

Over the years, Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation has hosted and supported countless cultural events, art exhibitions, and educational programs. We have also collaborated with many local organisations to support their efforts in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Other key moments include:

• 10 years protection for Wahluu/Mount Panorama https://minister.agriculture.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/s10-declaration-wahluu-mount-panorama-30042021.pdf
• Council and Traditional Owners make joint statement on agreement reached in NSW Supreme Court https://yoursay.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/newscentre/news_feed/council-and-traditional-owners-make-joint-statement-on-agreement-reached-in-nsw-supreme-court
• Winners of the 2021 Global Academic Development Good Practice Awards, presented at the recent Advancing Academic Development (AAD) event, held online 3 November, 2021https://www.advancingacademicdevelopment.net/
• WIRADYURI ELDERS CULTURAL HUB OPENING AT CSU https://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/wiradyuri-elders-cultural-hub-opens-at-charles-sturt-in-bathurst
• Wiradyuri Elders contribute to Hyde Park Barracks colonial exhibition https://news.csu.edu.au/feature/wiradyuri-elders-contribute-to-hyde-park-barracks-colonial-exhibition
• ARTSTATE 2018 https://artsoutwest.org.au/pf/artstate-bathurst/
• WTOCWAC members and Elders co authored Teaching Aboriginal Cultural Competence Authentic Approaches Book © 2020https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-15-7201-2
• WTOCWAC members co authored a published journal article "Wiradyuri Creation Ancestors and Australian Motor Racing: Competing intangible cultural heritage values for Wahluu Mt. Panorama at Bathurst (NSW)
  Neale Draper, Andrew Maland and Wiradyuri Traditional Owners Central West Aboriginal Corporation"https://australia.icomos.org/publications/historic-environment/historic-environment-vol-33-no-1-2-20212023-intangible-cultural-heritage-in-australia-new-zealand-and-the-pacific/