Exploring the Pilliga

The Pilliga is a vast expanse of scrub located in central New South Wales that is full of uniqueness, history and culture. Traditionally you drive along the Newell Highway between Narrabri and Dubbo and think nothing of the rolling hills and bushland. Some people often take the time to explore the Warrumbungles but few know of the beauty that lies within the Pilliga itself.

We have been lucky enough to be working with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Services to create two education packages for Primary schools on sites of cultural significance in the Pilliga Region.

The first site is the Sandstone Caves located in the Pilliga Nature Reserve. This site is not sign posted on the highway with the specific purpose of keeping visitor numbers low to help preserve this sensitive and culturally significant site. At the sandstone caves there are grinding grooves and engravings that are up to 12,000 years old. The caves themselves are spectacular as the minerals in the sandstone oxidise over time creating an array of colours. Unfortunately in late 2015 a natural bushfire event occurred in the region and the vegetation was all burnt leaving the site unsafe for visitors. However, work is being undertaken and they hope to open the site up to visitors again in the very near future.

The second site is Sculptures in the Scrub that overlooks Dandry Gorge Aboriginal Area in Timallallie National Park. This site consists of five unique sculptures that reflect and acknowledge the local Gamilaroi people, their culture and the Pilliga Scrub itself. The first four sculptures were created back in 2009 by artists who worked with the local community to create artworks that held true meaning with the Gamilaroi people. These sculptures are called 1) Scrub Spirits, 2) First Lesson, 3) Yundu Yundu and 4) Connections. The fifth sculpture, called Respect Mother, was unveiled in 2012 and created by and for the Gamilaroi women. Respect Mother consists of five elements that represents the five communities in the Gawambaraay Pilliga Co-Management Committee.

We have been fortunate enough to be asked to create an information book about the fifth sculpture and we recently travelled back to the Pilliga to talk to the women who helped the artist, Pamela Denise, create the mosaic art pieces. This new book will showcase the stories behind all the designs on the five elements, show photos and information about the bush tucker, animals and landscapes that can be found, and an ePub will be created with interactive voice overs to help people learn more about the Pilliga Scrub and its cultural connections to the women of this Country.

We have loved every minute of exploring this amazing pocket of New South Wales and when the publications are ready, we hope others will begin to understand why we love and care for this Country so much.