Drayton Valley Reserve located just outside of Rylstone will be given a refresh and new lease of life thanks to a grant from the Crown Reserve Improvement Fund.
The grant of $136,566 will fund the creation of walking paths and construction of amenities as well as some further accessibility features.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said this was a great boost to the community.
“The North East Wiradjuri Co Ltd is a not-for-profit organisation that has volunteers passionate about working on country, sharing cultural knowledge and promoting community well-being,” Mr Toole said.
“Having discussed this exciting project with members of the organisation, I am looking forward to seeing the improvements they have planned for Drayton Valley Reserve making it an even more special place to visit.
“Since their appointment to manage Drayton Valley Reserve, North East Wiradjuri Co Ltd have hosted cultural activities, organises bushwalks and land care days, and has applied traditional practices to care for country while promoting Aboriginal cultural learning with younger generations and the wider community.”
North East Wiradjuri Co Ltd’s Emma Syme said the funding news was exciting.
“The reserve is beautiful with trees, rock outcrops, rock shelters and cultural resources that make it a really amazing spot,” Ms Syme said.
“We have been cleaning up the land by removing rubbish and broken glass, and undertake Aboriginal land management initiatives, including cultural burns to protect the environment and wildlife.
“This funding will allow us to make additions to the reserve so that more people may visit and enjoy the reserve, whether that be for cultural reasons or just a family day out in nature.
“We want to teach younger people and pass on cultural knowledge. There is also plenty of bush tucker on the reserve such as geebung, native cherry and lots more to learn about native plants and their many uses.”
In March 2022, North East Wiradjuri Co Ltd was appointed by Crown Lands to manage the 498-hectare Drayton Valley Reserve, north of Rylstone on the Bylong Valley Way.
The organisation also has a Cultural Centre in Kandos which is open for visitors to learn about Indigenous heritage in the region and shop artworks from local Indigenous artists.
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