The Parliament of NSW has unveiled a powerful artwork celebrating the enduring cultural heritage of the traditional owners of the land where Parliament stands.
The sculpture and plaque on Parliament’s Macquarie Street forecourt is a collaboration between Dharawal and Yuin artist Alison Page, Indigenous heritage consultant Rowena Welsh-Jarret and ceramicist Simon Reece.
At the unveiling ceremony on Wednesday August 21, Ms Page spoke about how the artwork gives voice to Country, and the continuous connection that traditional owners have with it.
She says the work was deeply personal to create.
“We are descendants of people who occupied Sydney Harbour since time immemorial,” Ms Page said.
“And so the concept for this artwork really came from this idea that what would you see if you took a core of the earth underneath parliament house what you would see are layers and layers of story of history.
“You would see layers of countless fires that were burnt here, meals that were shared here.
“It’s a story that starts in deep time. The Sydney sandstone that we know so well and Sydney is so famous for was created by an ancient river which came from western NSW millions and millions of years ago and laid down this bedrock that goes all the way up to the Blue Mountains.”
She says the artwork will serve as a constant reminder of that ancient history, as well as a focus of hope for the future.
“We have this wonderful opportunity here in NSW now with this Connecting with Country framework to really use the built environment as a way to continue to tell stories and Country,” she said.
“To give voice to our people, to truth-tell about the history of this place and the memories of this place to give voice to Country because Country doesn’t speak.
“We help Country speak in this contemporary language of design and architecture.”
Dharawal and Gumbaynggirr woman Rowena Welsh-Jarret said at the unveiling that it was an honour to culturally advise both Alison and Simon in creating an artpiece that reflects Indigenous peoples’ deep and continuous connection to country.
“It was especially an honour to do a layer that represented our coastal midden which is a representation of the coastal middens that you see along this country,” Ms Welsh-Jarrett said.
“They’re a reminder that our old people have met on these lands for thousands of years making decisions about Country, making decisions about sustainability and planning for future generations to live sustainably on this country.
“So it was a really beautiful opportunity to have this deep dive and reflection on what Country means to Aboriginal people and have it here out the front of Parliament House.”
The Governor of New South Wales Margaret Beazley praised the artwork, saying it honours a strong and forever-continuing culture on the lands of the Gadigal people.
“I also want to thank the First Nations people here in Sydney and across NSW, for what they have given us,” Mrs Beazley said.
“What they have given us as individuals, the way they have enriched our lives, with giving us an understanding of Country, and with giving us a little more than that I believe, a feeling of Country, which is very important.
“To teach, to get an understanding that if you stop and if you feel you will actually feel Country.”
Parliament staff participated in two workshops in Blackheath, as part of the creative process.
President of the NSW Legislative Council Ben Franklin, said the unveiling was an important celebration of the living and thriving cultures of the Indigenous people of NSW.
He also acknowledged the Parliament’s complex history with First Nations People in the state.
“Ongoing efforts to build a future grounded in respect, reconciliation, and genuine partnership continue to guide our approach,” Mr Franklin said.
“The development of this Acknowledgement of Country artwork is not just a physical structure but a living record of the layers of history that connect us to this land.”
The plaque on the sculpture reads:
“The Parliament of New South Wales stands on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We proudly acknowledge all the Aboriginal peoples of New South Wales and honour their enduring connection to the lands, waters and sky of the State.
The representatives of the people of New South Wales gather from various Aboriginal lands across the State to meet in this Parliament. May the decisions made within these walls reflect our commitment to fostering a spirit of reconciliation and respect.”
