2010s

A Visitor’s information sign is erected at the bottom of the Gully. (Video, ‘Welcome to Garguree’. 130 people gather at the Gully for a Living Country Culture camp’.

An historical exhibition on the Marella Home opens, sponsored by the NSW State Archives.

Leanne Tobin wins the prestigious NSW Parliament award for Aboriginal art, ‘Defending Country’, depicting a‘pale-skinned blue eyed woman holding a shield against a backdrop of the land and its spectral ancestors’. (Tracker 1 Nov 2011) Video,’ Early morning ancestral flight over country’ and ‘Art and the bush’

John Westbury regularly reunites Link Up clients with their families. Video:

The Darug Tribal Aboriginal Corporation is an organisation dedicated to increase the profile of the Darug people, to assist in research into ‘how the Darug people lived, our language, and ancesters'. Elders of the Corporation in 2012 are: Aunty Lyn Stanger, Uncle Kenny Webb, Aunty Val Aurisch, Uncle Brian Shepherd, Aunty Larraine Sullivan, Uncle Colin Locke, Aunty Jacinta Tobin, Aunty Chris Burke, Aunty Sandra Lee, Aunty Carol Cooper & Uncle Greg Simms.

Jenny Ebsworth is living in Glendenning and working with other Aboriginal elders who are involved in school Aboriginal cultural activities. The Catholic Church is active in developing Aboriginal cultural awareness in areas such as Blacktown, Plumpton, Mt Druittand Glendenning.

Narelle Triste works at Chifley College, Mt Druitt as the Aboriginal education Officer, she is involved with Koori students to assist them in achieving a high level of academic and social success. Narelle has been living in the local area for 30 years.

Deputy Principal Nathan Towney works from the NSW Department of Education and Communities to empower Indigenous students in their studies.

Aunty Joan Cooper is interviewed and recalls Gully life, “Although I always knew I was Darug, and I knew Digger and his family were Gandangara, it wasn’t talked about like that. I suppose it was clear from what we did, where we went … my relatives often made trips to Parramatta and Plumpton while Digger and Nat and the others were always going back down the Burragorang and the Megalong.” Video, ‘Welcome to Garguree’

RECONCILIATION Week in Western Sydney is a time to bring all Australians together, says elder Auntie Sandra Lee. It has been 16 years since the first Reconciliation Week was held. This year’s event includes a community walk around Mt Druitt Town Centre and a free concert at Dawson Mall.

The Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council wins Native Title over a 355 ha. area of O’Hara’s Creek, Kenthurst.

The Deerubbin Local Aboriginal Land Council publishes its Community, Land and Business Plan 2009-2112. The report states that the Council currently holds or awaits the transfer of 15000ha of land. It has land in each of the Baulkham Hills, Hawkesbury, Penrith and Blue Mountains local government areas. The Report further states . Traditional ownership of the Deerubbin LALC area 
 . Deerubbin LALC’s members do not lay claim to traditional ownership of Deerubbin LALC area. Deerubbin LALC’s members support genuine assertions and respectful recognition of traditional ownership (and formal legal recognition of native title) wherever they occur. Deerubbin LALC is skeptical, however, that there are Aboriginal people alive today who credibly lay claim to traditional ownership of its area. European occupation of the area occurred early in the history of the colony of New South Wales and had a devastating impact on the Aboriginal people of the area. 
Without laying claim to traditional ownership of the area, Deerubbin LALC and its members have been active in seeking to promote and protect the Aboriginal cultural and heritage values of lands in the area. This is regarded by members as a fundamental aspect of the LALC’s charter. (http://www.deerubbin.org.au/Final-CLBP-290609.pdf) 2012.

John Westbury of Link Up muses on the possibility of return and acceptance of all stolen generations victims. Video, ‘Some deep questions at Link Up’

Books published by Darug Aboriginal Corporation include Daruganora, African Connection.