Garguree Swampcare in the Gully, Katoomba, is this year’s recipient of the Greater Sydney Local Land Services regional “Indigenous Land Management” Landcare Award, recognising Garguree’s core essential indigenous ecological practise and philosophy of “Connecting to Country”.

Everyone at Garguree is involved in the essence of place, healing, connection, understanding the past and looking towards the living cultural future whether through weeding, chatting, listening to stories, playing, wheelbarrowing, photographing, eating, singing, sculpting, brush matting, planting, planning, weaving, learning new regen skills, flora and fauna identification, Bush tucker, standing by the fire, rubbish collection, stream watch, fungi identifying – Garguree is a large, active group with many children involved.

Not only is Garguree the recipient of the Indigenous Land management award, but for the past 3 years children from Garguree have been the recipients of BMCC’s Junior Bushcare award for their ongoing commitment and connection to restoring Garguree.

Many children have grown up with Garguree and are growing up with a true respect for the Aboriginal community, knowledge of the natural world, regeneration and revegetation techniques and understanding the importance of protecting country and community.

The group coordinators David King and Elly Chatfield also won the Bushcare Legend of the Year and Hard Y akka awards 3 years ago. At the time BMCC Mayor Clr Mark Greenhill, said, “The Bushcare Legend award is the highest level of recognition we can give anyone within the Bushcare Program. It recognises sustained efforts over many years.”

All are welcome to join and connect to Country with this award-winning Bushcare group which meets the first Sunday of the month 9:00-12:00.