By MARION WILLIAMS

THE sense of pride was palpable at a celebration to mark 20 years since the sacred mountains Biamanga and Gulaga were returned to Traditional Owners.

The mountains, culturally and spiritually significant to the Yuin people, are now jointly managed by the Biamanga and Gulaga Boards of Management and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Around 550 people attended the celebration at Tilba Oval on Saturday, May 30.

Uncle Bunja Smith, chair of the Biamanga Board of Management, said Reconciliation Week hadn’t been in their minds when planning, but the celebration was “reconciliation in action”. Some non-Aboriginal people commented they felt so blessed to be included.

As a young fella he watched Elders like Uncle Percy Mumbler and Uncle Guboo Ted Thomas protecting the mountains from logging. So, he was very moved when Guboo’s daughter Lynn Thomas spoke at the event’s panel discussion and sang a song.

“Under Part 4A of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1975, on May 6, 2006, the mountains were finally handed back to Aboriginal care, custody and control,” Uncle Bunja said.

“It was a watershed moment where I felt we had land rights. The decision-making and empowerment that gave the people just made me go wow!”

Uncle Bunja said they’re currently investigating a model for all NSW national parks to be handed back and jointly managed.

Uncle Warren Foster’s father Merv Penrith was another lead campaigner.

“He was fighting for land rights from the beginning when it first started back in the 1980s,” Uncle Warren said. “One of the ways he did that was setting up all these land councils we have in the state.”

Uncle Merv travelled around towns and communities telling people about the importance of setting up land councils so they could have self-governance of Country.

“He played a big role in that,” Uncle Warren said. “He isn’t mentioned a lot, but he did a lot of work with Percy Mumbler and Guboo Ted Thomas as well.”

Uncle Warren performed with the Gulaga Dancers at the hand- back ceremony 20 years ago.

“It was good to have them dancing again on Saturday, a new generation of dancers. I feel proud to be part of that.”

Aunty Vivienne Mason is one of just three members of the Negotiation Panel left. She had represented Wagonga Local Aboriginal Land Council, one of the lessors. The Elders above her represented Country. The negotiations took more than two years, including going through every sentence of the lease.

“There was a lot of legislative stuff in the lease that we couldn’t change because the Minister insisted on it,” Aunty Vivienne said. “We didn’t agree but we had no choice.”

Importantly, they successfully negotiated getting a voice for their people, leading to the formation of the boards of management that enable the joint management.

“It took us all that time, but it was worth it and now we have a good working relationship,” she said.

Aunty Vivienne also worked on the park’s plan of management that is still used today. She vividly remembers the hand back and being so proud of her Elders and being part of something that connected the whole Yuin Nation.

“On Saturday all those emotions came back, and I feel so proud of the boards for continuing that,” she said.

All three were especially moved by seeing photos and a film about those old people.

“I just felt overwhelmed seeing all those old people and I thanked them for giving me guidance and the strength,” Aunty Vivienne said.

“It was pretty nostalgic seeing all those old people who are no longer with us, but they would have been there in spirit,” Uncle Warren said.

“It made me tear up,” Uncle Bunja said. “For me it is now about the next generation and where to from here to ensure custodianship and caring for Country.”