About Us
Inspiration behind Minimbah
Minimbah Teaching Place was the vision of Wonnarua elder, Barbara Foot, and supported by the Wonnarua community.
Wonnarua elder, the late Aunty Barbara Foot, had a dream to establish a place that could showcase the Wonnarua culture, engage the community and store artefacts. Her dream came true with the opening of Minimbah Teaching Place in 2022. This project has been supported by the Wonnarua and broader indigenous community who have a common desire to gain a greater appreciation and understanding of their culture.
“This place is significant to our Aboriginal people, Wonnarua people. A place to share culture and stories of old times; to teach our young people; teach about bush tucker and how it is prepared; teach our stories. Our Granny and Poppy and mother Barbara Foot shared stories with a spiritual connection to our creator. We believe she would be so proud with the sense of belonging that is unique at Minimbah Teaching Place. Thank you for visiting our Country.”
– David Foot and Maria Stocks, children of Aunty Barbara Foot
“We’ll be able to share stories with the community in such a safe environment and we’ll be able to learn more about our culture.”
– Laurie Perry, Wonnarua Nation
Wonnarua community, inspiration behind Minimbah.
Wollombi Brook Conservation Area
Minimbah Teaching Place is located on a 116-hectare ecological and Aboriginal conservation area, the Wollombi Brook Conservation Area. This area has been preserved because of its ecological significance, but more importantly, because of its Aboriginal cultural values. Waterways such as the Wollombi Brook all form important parts of the pathways to ceremony and sacred sites located close by, like the Bulga Bora Ground, Baiame Cave and Lizard Rock. In addition to these significant sites, the number of stone artefacts that have been found in this area show evidence of long occupation along the banks of the Wollombi Brook.
According to the local Aboriginal community, this area has good energy because it is located near a favoured fishing hole on the Wollombi Brook, as well as being central to locations of known cultural heritage values such as the ceremonial Bora Ground at Bulga, Baiame Cave at Milbrodale and Lizard Rock overlooking Broke.
As well as being an important site for heritage, the Wollombi Brook Conservation Area is an important area for biodiversity. One of the endangered communities found at Wollombi Brook Conservation Area is the Warkworth Sands Woodland. The sand is part of the Warkworth Sand Sheet that was blown there by north-westerly winds over the past two and a half million years. Sand washed down from the mountains in Yengo National Park was picked up by the wind and deposited in dunes one to six metres high.
A cultural cool burn at Wollombi Brook Conservation Area to control fuel load, weeds, activate natural regeneration; and create connection between the indigenous community and the land. The burn was conducted by NSW Local Land Services and Firesticks Alliance.
Keeping Place for artefacts
Minimbah Teaching Place is a Keeping Place for artefacts salvaged from local mine operations including: Bulga Coal, Glendell Open Cut, Mount Owen Open Cut, and United Wambo Joint Venture. The artefacts were identified and salvaged prior to mining and are evidence of a rich culture.
Cultural resources
