Australia’s First Peoples Field of Mars
Northern Cemeteries acknowledges the unique status of Australia’s First Peoples as the original people of this land. We recognise their cultures, histories and ongoing relationship and obligations to the land and waterways.
Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation, Field of Mars Cemetery acknowledges the traditional custodians of this land, the Darug Wallamatta People. The spirit of the Darug Wallamatta can be found across the region and we honour the memory of their ancestors.
These traditional homelands are ancient and sacred to the Darug Wallamatta who have a deep sense of belonging, both traditional and contemporary, because they are part of the world’s oldest surviving, continuous living culture on the planet.
Totem: The Butterfly
Totems are a natural object or creature that is believed to have spiritual significance and can be adopted by particular groups as an emblem or symbol.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Northern Cemeteries has embraced the butterfly as the totem for Field of Mars Cemetery.
The lesson of the butterfly is about transformation. It asks us to see our potential and to be aware of not getting stuck in the cocoon.
The butterfly helps us recognise when we are ready for change so we can spread our wings and fly.
Susan Moylan-Coombs
As a Gurindji, Woolwonga woman from the Northern Territory, now living on Gai-mariagal country, Northern Sydney, it is with great pleasure that I have the opportunity to work in collaboration with Northern Cemeteries to provide advice and guidance, to support them on their journey of truth telling and reconciliation.
Today Northern Cemeteries proudly flies the Aboriginal Flag and acknowledges the Traditional Custodian of the lands that each of their five cemeteries are located. As sovereign people we have always maintain our connection to country, a connection that has always been sacred to us.
As we look to the future we hope that we can look back one day and say that we made a contribution and we have made a difference.
If we truly care for the community in all its diversity, then healing the history of our past, will bring respect, dignity and inclusivity into the present.