Celebrating two decades of a revolution in natural and cultural heritage preservation

A change to the management of cultural and natural heritage preservation in 1998 heralded a revolution now sweeping Australia.

The Nantawarrina Indigenous Protected Area (IPA), the first of Australia’s 75 IPAs, has just celebrated its 20^th anniversary with two days of events recognising extraordinary achievements and the people behind them.

Community Elder Roger Johnson attended the official celebrations.

‘Today the Nepabunna Community should stand tall and proud of what they have done on the land,’ Roger said.

‘I can’t wait till everything comes to a standstill today and we remember from 20 years ago up to today. It is something we need to be proud of.’

Around 150 people attended the celebrations. Invited guests included Rowan Ramsey MP – Federal Member for Grey and John Chester, CEO of the Aboriginal Lands Trust of South Australia, both of whom spoke.

Also attending were representatives of Australian and SA government departments, the University of South Australia, other South Australian IPAs and students from the Leigh Creek Area School.

After spending Sunday 26 August visiting places on the IPA and listening to speeches, guests and community members enjoyed a BBQ dinner. It featured kangaroo and damper cooked traditionally over fire and ceremoniously carried into the campground on a bed of leaves.

John Chester was critical in the establishment of the IPA and was honoured to conduct the the official ‘Welcome to Nantawarrina IPA – 20th Anniversary’ celebration on the Monday morning.

It was held at the ‘Plaque’ campground which was the setting of the original IPA dedication 20 years earlier.

A minute’s silence was held to pay respect to those who had passed and had influence and involvement in the Nantawarrina IPA. 

John then invited Roger Johnson (community elder), Laila Hancock and Grace Hodson (young community members) to provide the welcome to country in language and in English.

Laila and Grace spoke of the country where their ancestors have lived for thousands of years.

‘Their messages are in unsigned places for us to see and hear, tread carefully on this beautiful land that is close to our heart, we welcome you to our country on this special day’, they said.

After several speeches, the 20th anniversary plaque, covered by an Aboriginal flag, was unveiled by Nepabunna Community Chairman Ian Johnson, Rowan Ramsey and Haydyn Bromley, Presiding Member of the Aboriginal Lands Trust.

The new plaque is erected on a wooden stump next to the original plaque.  

After further activities in the afternoon, the party returned to Nepabunna Community where an informal dinner at the community hall concluded the celebrations.

Excited Nantawarrina Rangers, Julette and Joelwyn Johnson, summed up the feelings of all in attendance.

‘It’s been a lot of work to get the event happening but it’s been worth it and we are hoping to have the IPA for another twenty years.’