Walking Together on Country: Deepening Cultural Understanding in the Mallee
CCV's Mildura team participated in a powerful and immersive place-based cultural training day in the Mallee, deepening their understanding of Aboriginal history, culture, and connection to Country.
Walking Together on Country: Deepening Cultural Understanding in the Mallee
Recently, CatholicCare Victoria’s Mildura team participated in a powerful and immersive place-based cultural training day in the Mallee, deepening their understanding of Aboriginal history, culture, and connection to Country.
The day included visits to significant cultural sites at Merbein, Two Rivers, and Thegoa, where the group was warmly welcomed with a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country led by local Elders. Throughout the training, team members learned about the cultural significance of burial marker trees, boundary markers, canoe trees, and middens, and gained hands-on insight into traditional practices such as making Coolamons. They were also shown a collection of local artifacts that spoke to the enduring knowledge and custodianship of First Nations peoples.
Karyn Battersby, Senior Manager, Family Services, CatholicCare Victoria said.
This experience was deeply moving and a reminder of the importance of walking alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with respect and humility,
Cultural learning like this not only strengthens our personal understanding but ensures that the way we deliver services is guided by respect, truth-telling, and meaningful connection to Country.
This place-based training is part of CCV’s ongoing commitment to cultural learning and respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. These initiatives play a vital role in creating culturally safe spaces for both clients and staff, and contribute to the development of CCV’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
As part of the day, the group was gifted a special artwork created by local artist Elisha Mangal (Malyangarpa – Barkindji), titled Barkindji Kiira (Country). The painting tells the story of the team’s journey across Country — from the CatholicCare Victoria office in Mildura to sites along the Murray and Darling Rivers — reflecting on the stories shared, the knowledge passed down, and the connections made.
Artist Statement:
“Barkindji Kiira represents CatholicCare Victoria’s cultural tour day on Barkindji Kiira (Country). The colours and patterns reflect the stories told by Corey, Elisha, and Nhurali, and the learning and knowledge everyone gained.”
Through experiences like this, CCV continues to honour its vision of building thriving, connected communities where everyone belongs — grounded in understanding, respect, and reconciliation.
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