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Big Swamp | Bunbury |
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| The Big Swamp is situated to the south of the Bunbury
city centre. Subject to frequent flooding, seen as a breeding
ground for mosquitoes and used as a rubbish dump the original a
190 acre park has undergone a number of developments from 1962.
Local oral history recounts how the area was used as a safe haven
for the Noongar people, who relied on the frogs as a warning sign
to people approaching. Today the swamp, having been drained and reclaimed, provides 116 acres of public open space which is a haven to many water birds and animals. During 2005, Aboriginal students from the Follow the Dream Program and Newton Moore Senior High School participated in creating a mosaic mural for the swamp, acknowledging the importance of the area to the Noongar people and the value of protecting the natural environment. |
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Bunbury Regional Art Galleries | Bunbury |
| Housed in a distinctive pink former convent, the Bunbury Regional Art Galleries exhibits works by West Australian artists, and occasionally hosts exhibitions of indigenous works. | ||
| Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School | Bunbury | |
| Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School was established in 1996 in order to better serve the needs of Noongar children in the Bunbury area. This establishment was a direct result of extensive community consultation and community support. As Aboriginal culture is central to all Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School's programs, the cultural center is situated in the middle of the school grounds. The school shifted to a new site in 2004 and was designed in collaboration with the local community. A bush waterfall and traditional cooking space enhance the school's friendly and culturally sensitive feel. Djidi Djidi is Noongar for a small bird called the Willy Wagtail in English. | ||
| Little Street | Carey Park | |
| The Bunbury Aboriginal Progress Association pursued a small three-bedroom house, with a grant received by the Australian Government, to be used as a meeting place for Aboriginal mothers with preschool and school children as well as a health clinic for the field nurse and an office space for the Progress Association. Mr D Farmer of the Western Australian Aboriginal Advancement Council and Mr Horrie Calgaret, President of the Bunbury Aboriginal Progress Association, opened the building in 1973. | ||
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Mangrove Boardwalk | Bunbury |
| The southernmost mangrove area found in Australia dates back 10,000 years. Because of the variety of habitat in the area, including rich tidal feeding grounds, many of species of migratory water birds can be seen. The 200 metres of boardwalk includes various information boards outlining the natural and settlement history of the area. | ||
| Roelands Mission | Roelands | |
| Established in 1932, Roelands Mission, originally
known as Roelands Native Mission, was one of twenty-seven
missions run under the auspices of the Native Welfare Department.
It is estimated that 500 children, who were removed from their
families, resided at the mission over the period of 30 years
(1940-1970). Many of these children had been taken thousands of
kilometers from their homelands. In 1975, the Churches of Christ Federal Aborigines Board bought the property and changed the name to Roelands Village. Childcare ceased at Roelands at the end of 1984. In 2004, the Indigenous Lands Council bought the property on behalf of the Woolkabunning Kiaka Association, representing the former residents. Part of the acquisition plan entails the redevelopment of the housing and dwellings of the village. |
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Wyalup | Bunbury |
| The recently landscaped park on the beachfront was historically referred to as 'Wyalup", meaning the place of mourning. Today local Noongar people regard this area as having high spiritual significance because of its links with death and as a place for seasonal gatherings. | ||
| Aborigines of the West: Their past and present | Book | |
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| Takes into account the diverse range of traditional life and the differing responses to increasing pressures of change. Available from the Bunbury Town Library. | ||
| Excellent Connections: Bunbury 1836-1990 | Book | |
| This book documents events and family histories as accounted by early explorers and settlers as well as a number of recorded oral histories. The text draws from government records to provided a detailed account of the development of Bunbury. The authors have provided a large amount of information on the conditions experienced by Noongar people post settlement. Available from the Bunbury City Council. | ||
| Nyungar Tradition: Glimpses of Aborigines of South-Western Australia 1829-1914 | Book | |
| This book documents events and family histories as accounted by early explorers and settlers as well as a number of recorded oral histories. The quality and number of photographs in this publication are outstanding and provide a great representation of the conditions that prevailed at the time. Available from the Bunbury Town Library. | ||
| Noyt Kobori (Spirit Dancers) | Dance | |
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| Noyt Kobori is a male student dance group based at Djidi Djidi Aboriginal School. The boys, under guidance of dance group Coordinator David Dann, perform at school events, other schools and festival/public events in the Bunbury region. | ||
| South West Aboriginal Medical Service | Bunbury | |
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| SWAMS was established as an autonomous organization that offers a range of health services in a holistic and culturally appropriate environment. It supports schools by arranging for conductive hearing testing to occur and by delivering culturally appropriate health workshops to Aboriginal students in primary and high schools. | ||