Warrgamay Custodian Tammy Choolburra shares insights about Wallaman Falls, its cultural significance, and important guidelines for tourists visiting Warrgamay Country.
Video transcript
Tammy Choolburra (Warrgamay Traditional Owner)
โOur ancestors have been here for 65,000 years caring for Country, living on Country looking after this land. Keeping it pristine as it is our animals, our water lines.
My name is Tammy Choolburra. I am Warrgamay, Girramay, Kuku Yalanji and Pita Pita. When I come home I feel connected to my Elders, my ancestors. I feel them right behind me, every time I come here. I feel I’m not alone and I know they are always with me.
The Wallaman Falls area is very sacred to the Warrgamay women. Down the end of the trail the sacred waters where we have noticed and witnessed people swimming in that areas and the Traditional Owners of Warrgamay would like that to be stopped as that is our sacred waters.
On top of that, it’s just the safety of the swimmers. There has been rocks coming off the escarpment of the cliffs and hits like thunder so these arenโt little pebbles these are great, large rock elements that’s coming off the cliff. Itโs very dangerous.
When you come to Wallaman Falls we have the Banggurru trail that goes down to a beautiful swimming area that all will be welcome to swim and welcomed by the Traditional Owners. To travel down Wallaman Falls it takes an hour to get down from the swimming you know, yea it is nice here though.
You are all welcome but I would like you to show a lot of respect to our lands and don’t take our plants!โ