The Kaurna people have been the traditional custodians of the country in our Council area for many thousands of years prior to European settlement, which has created a wealth of Aboriginal cultural heritage and places.
The City of Mitcham acknowledges Kaurna people as the traditional owners and custodians of this land. We respect their spiritual relationship with country that has developed over thousands of years and the cultural heritage and beliefs that remain important to Kaurna people today.
Brownhill Creek Recreation Park
Brownhill Creek was a favourite camping, hunting and gathering ground for the Kaurna Peoples, who called it Wirraparinga (scrub and camping place). As many as 150 people inhabited the area at one time.
Aboriginal peoples have occupied, enjoyed and managed the lands and waters of this State for thousands of generations. For Aboriginal first nations, creation ancestors laid down the laws of the Country and bestowed a range of customary rights and obligations to the many Aboriginal Nations across our state.
Colebrook Reconciliation Park
Colebrook Reconciliation Park, located on Shepherds Hill Road (next to Karinya Reserve) at Eden Hills, is where the Colebrook Home once stood. Colebrook Reconciliation Park is now a memorial to the Aboriginal children and their families of the Stolen Generation and their families. Through the efforts of the Colebrook Tjitji Tjuta, the Blackwood Reconciliation Group, the Aboriginal Lands Trust, and other groups and agencies, to remember the Aboriginal children of the Stolen Generation, the 'Fountain of Tears' and the 'Grieving Mother' statues, sculpted by Silvio Apponyi, have been created.
For information on Colebrook Tji Tji Tjuta and the Blackwood Reconciliation Group please email blackwoodreconciliationgroup@gmail.com, visit @BlackwoodReconciliationGroup or contact Yvonne Caddy 0421 857 471.
Mukapaanthi
Artwork celebrating our Aboriginal Veterans is displayed on the south-west corner of the intersection of Goodwood, Springbank and Daws Roads at Panorama.
The artwork features a ceremonial flame and three figures – a traditional Kaurna warrior, a soldier representing World Wars I and II, and a modern-day soldier, to remember and acknowledge Kaurna people who have served Australia both past and present.
The word ‘Mukapaanthi’, the Kaurna word for ‘remember’, is displayed at the front of the artwork, while Australian and Aboriginal flags have been raised behind the artwork.
The artwork is surrounded by native plantings with landscaping in the shape of the Kaurna shield, representing the continuing connection with the hills, rocks and earth, including species associated with traditional cultural practices.
The artwork was designed by Tania Taylor from the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation and Helen Neyland from Entanglements Metal Art Studio, in collaboration with Katie Miller from Cox Architecture with earthworks undertaken by Intract Australia.