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Aborigine Bark Painting

Welcome to the

Monaro Community (Ngarigo)

 Community Site

Our Place

 

Discover the heart of our community—from our natural landscapes and gathering places to schools, organisations, and community spaces. Learn more about what's happening locally and how you can get involved.

 

Our Belonging

Explore what makes this community special—local heroes, sporting legends, Elders, families, and changemakers. Belonging is built by the people who live, work, and walk together on Country.

 

Our Story

Stories hold knowledge. Here we share stories from community members—past and present—that reflect who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re heading.

 

Submit a Story

Have a story, memory, or moment to share? Submit your story here. It could be a photo, video, written piece, or artwork. Every story contributes to our living history.

Featured Stories

Uncle James – Murrumbidgee Creation Story

Counting Country: Voices, Memory and the Many Conversations Shaping Ngarigo Land

Across social feeds this week, fragments of conversation about Ngarigo Country surfaced like scattered pages of a shared diary — history, culture, tension, and celebration all speaking at once. Together, they paint a picture of a landscape where stories are still being written, argued over, and reclaimed. One post marked a quiet but powerful reminder: it has only been 58 years since Aboriginal people were counted in the national census. The statement landed with weight, not as a distant historical footnote but as a living memory. For many young Aboriginal voices, the milestone is less about statistics and more about recognition — proof that policy and identity are deeply connected to lived experience. The reminder echoes through contemporary conversations about climate justice, cultural continuity, and the right to be seen. Further south, photographs of snow gums standing high in Kosciuszko’s alpine air brought a different kind of reflection. The ancient trees, shaped by wind and frost, became symbols of endurance on Ngarigo Country. Images shared by local photographers captured more than scenery; they hinted at the layered relationship between land, story, and those who walk through it. In the stillness of those images, the past feels close enough to touch. But alongside beauty and pride, tension remains part of the public dialogue. Online debates have questioned representation, cultural authority, and who speaks for Country. Opinions clash sharply, reflecting wider disagreements about conservation, governance, and respect for traditional custodians. The arguments are raw and personal, revealing how deeply people care about identity and place — even when consensus feels far away. Amid these competing voices, moments of unity continue to emerge. The opening of a new yarning circle near Cooma stands as a reminder of what collaboration can look like when community and culture guide the process. Designed with local consultation, the space blends storytelling, education, and ceremony — a modern structure rooted in ancient practice. Elders, dancers, and community members gathered to mark the occasion, reinforcing that connection to Country is not static; it evolves through shared experiences. Taken together, these snapshots reveal more than isolated updates. They show a region alive with conversation — about history remembered, land protected, and identity negotiated in public view. Ngarigo Country is not just a place on a map; it is a living dialogue where past and present meet, sometimes in harmony and sometimes in friction, but always with the promise of deeper understanding. In a digital age where posts flash by quickly, these stories remind us to pause and listen. Because within the noise of commentary and celebration lies a deeper truth: Country continues to speak, and people are still learning how to hear it.

Submit a Story

Have a story, memory, or moment to share?


This space is for you. Your story—whether written, visual, or spoken—helps grow our collective history and ensures our voices, culture, and journeys are heard for generations to come.

 

What can I share?

 

You can upload (non-sacred no secret):

 

  • Photos (old or new)

  • Video or voice recordings

  • Written stories, poems, or reflections

  • Artwork or digital design

 

Whether you're telling your own story, honouring an Elder, sharing a community event, or celebrating a milestone—every contribution is welcome.

 

Note: Before You Submit

 

Please make sure:

  • You have permission to share photos, especially if they include others.

  • You are happy for your story to be published on the Queanbeyan Community (Ngunnawal) site.

  • You understand that some submissions may be lightly edited or curated for clarity and cultural safety.

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Proudly Supported by

We pay our deepest respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ancestors of this land, their enduring spirits, and their profound legacy. The foundations laid by these ancestors—our First Nations peoples—give strength, inspiration, and courage to current and future generations towards creating a brighter future for all.

 

At InDIG-Stories, we honour the rich cultural heritage and deep wisdom of the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we work and live. We acknowledge their continued connection to the land, waters, and community. We commit ourselves to a path of reconciliation, respect, and partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

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We have so many exciting things going on, be the first to find out!

Story-first design by Nat Williams @storirise

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