'The Poetics of Deep Mapping Place'
Colebrook Reconciliation Park
Acknowledgment
I acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, culture and community. I pay my respects to elders past, present and emerging.
Sensitivity Disclaimer
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website page contains images, voices, or names of deceased persons in photographs, film or audio recordings.
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Transformation and Reconciliation
Colebrook Reconciliation Park is a moving example of healing, memory, and reconciliation. It is tucked away in the peaceful Eden Hills, South Australia. Originally the location of the Colebrook Children's Home, this park now acts as a permanent memorial for the families and Aboriginal children who suffered from the terrible legacy of the Stolen Generation.
Reflecting on Australian Indigenous Knowledges and Stories
We delve into the layered narratives that shape this place, drawing inspiration from Indigenous writers and poets. Our exploration is guided by key concepts such as decolonization, relationality, and literary sovereignty.
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The Living History of Blackwood
Blackwood, a suburb in Adelaide’s foothills, carries within its soil the echoes of time. Its colonial history intertwines with the ancient stories of the Kaurna people, who have inhabited this land for millennia. As we walk through the streets, we encounter remnants of the past—a weathered stone wall, a gnarled gum tree, a creek that once flowed freely. These physical markers hold memories, both painful and resilient.
Indigenous Writers as Custodians of Memory
To centre our reflections, we turn to Indigenous writers and poets who have breathed life into the landscape. Oodgeroo Noonuccal, a trailblazing poet and activist, reminds us that “We Are Going.” Her words resonate with the tension between erasure and survival—the erasure of Indigenous culture and the resilience that persists despite it. Through her poetry, Noonuccal invites us to listen to the land, to hear its stories whispered through the rustling leaves.
