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‘cultural mis-interpretation’ at Mt Warning

 Millie Boyd was a highly respected Aboriginal elder in Northern NSW. She is widely recognised as the last "Gulgan" or keeper of the mountain and its tribal folklore. In this recording from 1977 she talks to NPWS anthropologist Howard (Harry) Creamer about the mythology around Mt Warning. 

Millie Boyd calls Mt Warning "Wulambiny Momoli". This has the meaning of 'scrub turkey nest', a `djurebil' or increase site where hunting is forbidden so that Brush-turkeys may replenish their numbers. If you look at the profile of Mt Warning from the north, you can see the Turkey sitting on its nest. The profile is a dead ringer for the turkey distinctive shape- head, back and tail! There it is sitting on its nest; the caldera. It is plain as day. No wonder this view inspired the story. In the foreground lies Wollumbin the warrior lying on his back looking at the stars. It is the Mountain on James McKenzie's property. It's name stolen by NSW Lands and incorrectly applied to Millie's Turkey..



The distinctive shape of Mt Warning - A turkey sitting on its nest. 
In the foreground lying on his back looking at the stars is Wollumbin the warrior, the Mountain on James McKenzie's property. 

NPWS have completely excluded all mention of the Bird Lore stories of Millie Boyd in its portrayal of the Aboriginal history of Mt Warning and the surrounding area. For 20 years they have ignored other cultural groups with intimate links to the Mountain. With great shame you won't find the stories of Millie Boyd in any of the Park Literature or public information. 

According to its governing ACT Section 30K (2) management of Aboriginal NPWS have a responsibility to: 

2)  An Aboriginal area is to be managed in accordance with the following principles—

(a)  the conservation of natural values, buildings, places, objects, features and landscapes of cultural value to Aboriginal people in accordance with the cultural values of the Aboriginal people to whose heritage the buildings, places, objects, features or landscapes belong,

In removing Millie's Stories from history NPWS have failed in their responsibilities and are complicit in ‘cultural mis-interpretation’ at Mt Warning. 

We asked Harry Creamer about climbing Mount Warning and he added this comment:  

"I can confirm that during my field research with Aboriginal elders in the Northern Rivers, Northern Border Ranges and Tweed Valley areas (1973 to 1987), I did not hear them ask that the walk to the summit of Mount Warning be closed . I am also disappointed that neither NPWS or Heritage NSW (local, region or head office), never asked me for my views on this matter.  I am still around and these days I am active in cultural heritage repatriation of my work to local Aboriginal communities across New South Wales”.

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