On Sunday 13 April, 2025, Narracoorte Homestead was host to local indigenous elders conducting a traditional indigenous smoking ceremony.
Uncle Doug Nicholls, together with Auntie Penny Bonney welcomed, in traditional language, a gathering of local and indigenous educators and descendants to Marditjali & Meintangk country under the shade of the two indigenous identified scarred River Redgum trees, dated circa 450 and 500 years old. The trees stand proud alongside the buildings on the grounds of Narracoorte Homestead, the premier sheep station of the region, established in 1842.
Supported by the sounds of the 'Mosquito Plains Strummers' ukelele group, local musician and songwriter, Viv Johns, performed an original song written for the occasion called 'Mosquito Plains', an ode to the original name of the lands on which the town of Naracoorte now rests.
Descendants of the original owners of Narracoorte Station & Homestead, travelled from Adelaide to connect with the traditional indigenous owners of the lands and learn about the stories and lives of those who had lived & worked alongside one another in the late 1800's when the area birthed what is now a prosperous farming environment.
The lands used for the 2025 ceremony was the same lands upon which traditional indigenous marriage and trading ceremonies were conducted. The scars in the River Redgums show evidence of a canoe and tray being carved out, to transport traded goods back to their homelands.