This carving, completed in 2011, has been made on the trunk of an old Forest Red Gum which had grown in the Royal Botanic Gardens for over 200 years. “Yurabirong” was carved by Aboriginal artists Glen Timbery and Vic Simms. Yurabirong, which means “People of this Place”, acknowledges the Aboriginal ancestors of Australia. The six different patterns on the tree, represent different tribal groups across central, western and north-western New South Wales. A representation of five Aborigines was carved into the lower half of the tree The sulphur-crested cockatoos that live inside the hollows of the tree were undeterred by the work. NAIDOC week, which this year runs from 3rd July to 11th July, is a celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and an opportunity to recognise the contributions of Indigenous Australians in various fields.
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