Neporendi Aboriginal Community Centre is a place of healing and inspiration. It’s a place where songs are recorded, films produced, native foods shared, culture embraced, and Aboriginality honoured.

Elijah, as Neporendi’s community development officer and an Arabana man with a background in environment, film and cultural development, what is your vision for the centre?

Neporendi means to come together and go together, so for me that means developing community and strengthening community for the greater good.

You’re tasked with focusing on culture and community. What’s on the program?

I’m looking at long term programs where communities and families can grow, learn and embrace their Aboriginality – in particular our youth. We see time and time again where young people go on to be pillars of community and you can’t help but think it’s worthwhile work if we could help shape one of these pillars.

For example?

NADOC’s 2019 theme was ‘Voice Treaty Truth’, so we thought what could we do at a local level to enhance people’s voice. We ended up getting some producers in, some well-known local Aboriginal artists, and encouraged young people to attend, and within a couple of days we ended up making a few tracks which went on to be released by Triple J Unearthed. We do have a voice, and we can exercise it in different ways.

How old are these budding artists?

Between 15 and 18, and we recently had a couple of them close a live-streaming Q&A that we did in collaboration with Joining Hands and Minds. We covered themes such as the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the film In My Blood it Runs and Reconciliation Week. They did a great job. By giving them more screen time, and more stage time, they’re becoming more confident. It’s really good.  

You also raised awareness of Reconciliation Week through a series of Storytime videos…

We received lots of positive feedback. Even kids at school, who might have been getting teased, were instilled with a sense of pride and connection to their old world. There’s great strength in that.

You recently produced a film which was screened on SBS; what’s it about?

It’s a 13 minute documentary called ‘The 50,000 Year Old Silk Road’. It’s about the Oodnadatta Track being a really old trade routee. Before the Ghan railway line, the Afghan cameleers and overland telegraph, it provided a much-needed trade route for First Nations peoples.

Since coming to Fleurieu, has there been any surprises?

The centre is actually located on the Kaurna people’s trade route. Old South Road is built on the track they walked for hundreds, if not thousands, of generations. The Karna people have the story of Tjilbruke; it’s at least a 6000 year old spiritual pilgrimage that travels along the Fleurieu Peninsula and up through the hills. There’s ancient pilgrimages around the world but this is by far one of the oldest.

You’re a horticulturist with a degree in biodiversity and conservation; from that perspective what’s unique about the region?

Down at the Washpool you’ll find some incredibly rare swap species. It’s a realm of biological jewels which you won’t find anywhere else in the world. And the coastal waters here are also unique. There are not many negative estuaries in the world. Probably three. We have two: Gulf St Vincent and Spencer Gulf.

Where do you go to recharge?

Last weekend I was hiking through Onkaparinga (Ngangkiparringga) Gorge; the orchids are just starting to come out and you’ll see an array of different fungi, and we even saw a water rat doing freestyle through the river. And you think thank goodness there is still a refuge where these animals can go, and for people to go and have that experience with nature.

You’ve travelled extensively; what’s your thoughts on Fleurieu dining?

We punch well above our weight when it comes to food. You’ll have gastronomic delights that are so lovely, and people are starting to use native foods. I’ve had kangaroo tail out in the bush and then you can get it at some fancy restaurants, which is amazing and makes for a great meal in winter.

Local wine?

Straight Grenache is what McLaren Vale is famous for, which is now trending, and with Covid restrictions starting to ease we can get out to local wineries and eateries, enjoy a nice meal, sit back by a fire and be thankful.

ELIJAH’S FLEURIEU TIPS

·      Aldinga Washpool and Aldinga Scrub Conservation Park

·      Onkaparinga River National Park – Gorge Hike

·      Tjilbruke Trail

·      McLaren Vale Grenache

RECONCILIATION ON THE FLEURIEU  

·      Reconciliation Week Q&A presented by Joining Hands and Minds and Neporendi

·      Recommended viewing: Reconciliation Week Storytime,  In My Blood it Runs and The 50,000 Year Old Silk Road

·      Recommended listening: Triple J – Southern Deadly Sounds

·      Elijah’s tips on how to throw a boomerang

·      Visit Facebook.com/Neporendi for upcoming events and contact details.