MEMBERS and friends of Shepherds Ground rural village and farm were welcomed to country by the Worimi people in a rare and moving traditional ceremony recently.
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The ceremony - featuring stories, dances, songs and language of the Worimi - was held after ancient Aboriginal cutting stones were found in a creek bed on the Butterwick property.
It is believed the stones were uncovered by the April floods.
"You have joined with us," said Aboriginal elder Neville Lilley at the ceremony. "We are now able to walk together as custodians of this land.
"We can share our stories, support each other, and nurture the land as it nurtures us.
"This truly is reconciliation in action."
Angelo Bruvel, 11, one of the finders of the stones, was named as a "keeper of this story of how they were found".
"We know they will be treated with the care and respect such ancient implements deserve," said Jonathan Lilley, cultural, heritage and education officer at Murrook Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Williamtown.
Jane Purkiss, from Shepherds Ground, said the community looks forward to a "continuing and deepening connection with the Worimi people".
"Public workshops in song, dance, the local language, bush tucker and medicine for children and adults [are] already being discussed," she said.