On Wiradjuri Country, Mercy Care Centre Young (MCCY) staff pass around a five-thousand-year-old stone axe as Wiradjuri Elder and Knowledge Holder Aunty Enid Clarke explains its use.
“I encourage people to hold this tool in their hand as it is older than the Pyramids of Egypt, and the stone is over one million years old,” Enid says.
MCCY staff observe the artefact as part of a ‘Song Line Journey’ tour that welcomes small groups on Country for a day of cultural immersion and hands-on learning with Wiradjuri Elders. Staff travel around the Hilltops Region north-east of Young by bus, as Enid shares her wisdom.
Wiradjuri Elder and Knowledge Holder Aunty Enid Clarke (left) sharing her knowledge of kangaroo grass with MCCY staff member Joyce
“Together, we go out on Country to verbally and visually gain knowledge of Wiradjuri Culture and Heritage that is embedded in this country we live on,” Enid explains. “The journey is a spiritual, mind, body and soul experience that connects us all to Country.”
“Mercy staff take part in a smoking ceremony and learn the history of this ancient custom. We teach them about food sources such as how to find witchetty grubs and share our knowledge of the large variety of trees and plants we use for bush food and bush medicine.
“We also visit canoe trees where the trees are scarred from the bark being cut and peeled to make canoes.”
MCCY team members (from left to right) Vida, Gavin, Harmony and Margaret visiting a canoe tree.
MCCY Operations Manager Mary-Lou Cusack says the cultural immersion program enables staff to build their connection to Country while also strengthening the culture of the organisation.
“The journey of learning about First Nations heritage on Country brings us together as a facility. Each tour includes staff from different disciplines so that our teams have the opportunity to learn with people whom they may not work with every day.”
MCCY Pastoral Care Associate Tara O’Brien says the tours aim to broaden staff knowledge of Aboriginal culture, beliefs and practices so that they are better equipped to provide culturally safe care.
“As clinicians, the more insight we gain about First Nations culture and history, the better we can understand the cultural needs of our First Nations patients and provide compassionate, culturally safe care,” Tara says.
“It is our hope that everyone in the MCCY team has the opportunity to take part in this journey and learn about the rich heritage of Wiradjuri Peoples and the Country we live and work on.”
Last reviewed December 14, 2022.