Black Fellows Hand – Trip Report
Kicking Off the Morning
We kicked things off with a good yarn around the meeting spot, enjoying that easy mix of humour and curiosity that always comes at the start of a day’s adventure. A real highlight here was Bushy sharing not just the local history of the area but also explaining the work he and his organisation, Back to the Bush Indigenous Incorporated (BBIC), do to keep traditional land care practices alive. His knowledge and passion set the tone for the day, grounding our visit in respect for the land and the people who have cared for it for countless generations. Hearing him talk about cold burnings — an ancient, gentle way of caring for the land that encourages regrowth and protects ecosystems — was inspiring. It’s not every day you get to learn directly from someone walking the talk on cultural land management, and the experience left us with a deeper appreciation for how these practices sustain the environment and preserve it for future generations.
A Visit from Auntie Helen — A Real Privilege
We want to say an amazing thank you to Auntie Helen, whose visit to the site was an absolute pleasure and honour. It’s not every day we share time with someone who holds such deep cultural knowledge and connection to the land. Her presence reminded us that our time here was part of something far greater than ourselves.
Her visit gave senior committee members from ARMA a rare opportunity to discuss what our organisation does, our hopes, and our commitment to the land. These conversations bridged our recreational use with a profound respect for its cultural heritage and custodianship.
This connection is important to us as recreational land users, and we’re proud to work alongside the local Wiradjuri mob, represented on the day by Auntie Helen. Providing and maintaining trail cameras helps protect the site from vandalism, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Having Auntie Helen at the event gave senior committee members from ARMA a rare and meaningful opportunity to share far more than just the basics of what we do. We were able to talk in detail about our work, our long-term hopes, and our vision for supporting the land, all while connecting with someone in a position of unique cultural significance and deep knowledge. These kinds of conversations allow us to see the land through a different lens — one shaped by generations of care, tradition, and lived experience — and help us understand how our recreational activities can fit respectfully within a broader story of heritage and stewardship.
This relationship is incredibly important to us as recreational land users, and it reflects our ongoing commitment to work closely with the local Wiradjuri mob, represented on the day by Auntie Helen. By providing and maintaining trail cameras, we play a part in protecting the site from vandalism, supporting its cultural and environmental integrity, and ensuring that this place remains preserved and respected for future generations. More than that, it’s about building trust, fostering collaboration, and making sure our presence on the land contributes to its care rather than its decline.
Exploring the Cave Paintings
Before the clean-up, we took time to stand quietly at the rock art site itself, letting the place speak in its own way. The hand stencils, in their vivid reds and deep blacks, told a story without words — some so small they could only have belonged to a child, others larger than life, each one a silent mark of identity and presence. These artworks have survived the passing of centuries, possibly as many as 1,600 years, enduring through weather, time, and change to remain a striking reminder of the unbroken connection between people and place.
It’s impossible not to imagine the moments when each hand met the stone — the rhythm of voices, the smell of fire, the sounds of life surrounding the site. Generations would have returned here, each adding their mark and weaving their story into the rock. Standing there, surrounded by history, you feel both small and honoured — humbled in the best possible way, yet deeply connected to a narrative that stretches far beyond our own lifetimes.
The Cleanup (That Wasn’t Really Needed)
We arrived ready to roll up our sleeves and tackle a big cleanup, but to our pleasant surprise, the area was already in excellent condition. Much of the credit goes to Auntie Helen and the mob, who had been through about two weeks earlier to remove rubbish and tidy the site. Their work was obvious the moment we arrived — the grounds felt cared for, respected, and free from the kinds of waste that so often spoil these places. The small amount we collected, roughly one and a half to two bags, had accumulated only in the short time since their visit.
As we explored further into the afternoon, we came across small amounts of rubbish scattered along the tracks we travelled. It was a timely reminder that caring for these spaces isn’t a one-off task, but an ongoing responsibility shared by everyone who visits. Responsible land use, regular maintenance, and small acts of care all add up to preserving these special places for the future — and it’s clear that with community effort, the difference can be seen and felt almost immediately.
A Perfectly Timed Encounter
While we were at the site, a father and his two young boys arrived to have a look around. The timing couldn’t have been better — they had the chance to meet Auntie Helen, share a brief conversation, and capture a photo together. One of the boys, working on a school project, suddenly found himself speaking directly with a traditional owner of the land, an encounter far more meaningful than anything he could have read in a book.
The excitement on his face said it all — moments like this create lasting memories and foster genuine learning, the kind that can’t be scheduled or replicated.
BBQ, Soup & Good Company
Our thanks go to the Sydney Districts 4×4 Club (SD4x4) for being part of the day, and especially to Andrew Hennessy, their Catering Officer. Andrew’s BBQ skills are second to none, producing food that was as welcome as it was delicious. But the true standout was his hearty cup of soup — crafted from a century-old Campbell family recipe, rich with flavour and history. After a morning spent in the crisp, fresh air, it was the perfect way to warm up and recharge.
The Drive & The Turnaround
After lunch, Bushy led us out for a bit of exploration. We followed a track that hadn’t been graded or transformed into a 2WD tourist route — exactly the kind of terrain we were hoping for. It was raw, challenging, and offered just the right balance of adventure and skill.
We made it about halfway before the track presented some serious obstacles — deep ruts, steep pinches, and a narrowing path that left little room for error. Bushy called it, and we turned around, but not before tackling a steep descent that gave the newer drivers a proper workout on the way back up. There were some impressive wheel lifts, a few quickened heartbeats, and one particularly smooth climb once a certain driver remembered to press the diff-lock button.
Wrapping Up
By the end of the day, we had learned a great deal — about the land, its history, and each other. We had shared food, swapped stories, and, in our own small way, left the site a little better than we found it. The mix of learning, laughter, and hands-on work made it a day to remember.
Days like this are exactly why we do what we do. Our thanks go to everyone who came along, to Bushy for sharing his knowledge, to Auntie Helen for her presence and insight, and to SD4x4 and Andrew for keeping us well-fed. Here’s to the next adventure — and to many more days spent together, caring for places that matter.
