The Water We Share: Past, Present and Future

How do Aboriginal peoples connect with Water Country, culture and community? How can we all connect to, and care for, water environments?

For thousands of years, Aboriginal peoples have used, shared and connected with Water Country, saltwater and freshwater, in NSW and across Australia. Water Country is important for food, ceremony, culture and transport. But how do our First Nations peoples pass on this knowledge to new generations?

We all have a role to play in caring for our waterways and making them a clean and safe place for people, but also for the birds and animals who need the water. What are some ways we can all find out about and care for our local waterways?

The theme for History Week 2025 was ‘Water Stories’, and Museums of History NSW explored this theme in a live session. The videos from this session are now available to watch below.

By watching these videos, students will:

• Find out how Gweagal clan leader Uncle Rod, with support from the Gamay Rangers, uses traditional methods to make madjeri (canoes). By observing this process, students will reflect on the continuation and resilience of Aboriginal cultures, and connection to Country and its waterways.
• Explore the conservation of waterways at Vaucluse House in Sydney, looking at a range of historical sources from the house, and meet King and Princess, the resident eels.
• See how students from Calrossy Anglican School in Tamworth investigated and recorded their local waterways.
• Find more ideas and links to other resources to do further research on waterways – and maybe be inspired to do more in their local area.

Curriculum links:

• HSIE K–6 (2024)
• History
• Geography
• Science