SOLDIERS Point is a special place for cultural, spiritual and historic reasons pre-dating white settlement.
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THE Worimi people have known it for a long time.
And now the state government has recognised this and declared 5.9 hectares at Soldiers Point in Port Stephens an Aboriginal Place.
“Soldiers Point has a continuous history of Aboriginal settlement and cultural activity,” Environment and Heritage Minister Mark Speakman said.
“This announcement is a timely opportunity to make the community and region aware of this area’s Aboriginal and cultural values so they continue to be shared from generation to generation.”
The declaration comes at the start of NAIDOC Week. The nomination received broad community support following extensive community consultation. To this day there’s evidence of the Worimi people’s traditional use of the area and the importance of the land and sea environments to Worimi culture. Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald MLC thanked the Worimi people for their partnership and cooperation and Port Stephens Council for its work on the Soldiers Point Aboriginal Place Plan of Management 2015.
“I’m delighted to be able to recognise the Worimi people’s spiritual and emotional connection to this area,” Mr MacDonald said.
“It is a place where Aboriginal families lived and where traditional knowledge and cultural life has continued to be sustained.”
It is an offence to harm an Aboriginal Place.