The Narrabri shire is home to a wealth of traditional First Nations’ culture.

There’s a range of natural landmarks connected to this heritage, such as Sawn Rocks, Waa Gorge, and perhaps the lesser-known Deriah Aboriginal Area, located via Eulah Creek Road and Carinya Road, just 20 minutes outside of Narrabri.

In an effort to increase the understanding of First Nations’ identity, and the sacred land attached to it, a team of dedicated locals are working hard to promote the legacy of Deriah for future generations.

An 11-year collaboration between the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Deriah Co-management Committee, as well as efforts by Narrabri Shire Council, are to thank for the conservation site’s ongoing upgrades, which are aiming to make it more accessible.

The committee, which consists of well-known locals like Simmone Moodie, Steven Booby, Don Saunders, Michael ‘Digger’ Trindall, Kate Briggs and Jess McBeth, are hoping the investment into Deriah will help educate visitors about First Nations’ identity, as well as the unique local flora and fauna.

While developments to Carinya Road are being undertaken by the Narrabri Shire Council, the committee and National Parks team are looking at updates to the site’s tracks, signage and seating arrangements.

“I think Narrabri Shire Council has been fighting for the funding to update the roads for about 10 years now,” Steven Booby said.

“And, now that the area has got it and the roads will have greater accessibility, our efforts will focus on further improving the facilities at Deriah.”

The latest part of the project, the seating space, began construction this week.

Local metal manufacturing business, GFS Engineering, started work on a 6 x 3.7m stage that will overlook the Deriah land.

The platform will not only allow visitors a better vantage point to observe the natural wonders, but will also assist the women elders and community members who use the space to run educational sessions.

“The ladies on the co-management committee teach traditional language, culture and weaving skills here at Deriah, so this stage will give them a nice smooth surface to gather together for those meetings,” Mr Booby explained.

“And it will give them ample space to sit and work on those skills.”

GFS will be using steel with a powder coat finish before completing the wooden decking on top, according to company director Andrew Gale.

“It’s a basic structure, standing at 400mm off the ground, about knee-height,” he said.

“But our crew love doing these kinds of jobs, it’s always so interesting seeing the natural gems that our district has to offer.

“And we’re all local people ourselves, so the area means a lot to us, and we’re glad the team picked GFS for this work.”

Mr Booby agreed, expressing the importance of local investment.

“There’s plenty of talented people in the Narrabri Shire so when it came time to search for contractors, we never wanted to look beyond our home-grown expertise,” he said.

“By working with local people, we’re giving back to the community, all whilst promoting the area’s First Nations’ heritage.”

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