Holcim’s Lynwood quarry in New South Wales has celebrated a major cultural milestone with a soil-turning and welcoming ceremony.
The celebration marks the official start of work on the Lynwood Quarry Aboriginal Keeping Place, held in partnership with local Aboriginal groups.
Pejar Local Aboriginal Land Council’s (PLALC) Alfie Walker led the ceremony, who spoke about the deep cultural significance of the project and the importance of creating a dedicated space for artefacts and learning.
“This place is so significant, and we wanted to share that with people,” Walker said.
“That’s why we talked about a keeping place, somewhere safe for the artefacts, and a place for learning.”
Other PLALC and Gundungurra Tribal Council Aboriginal Corporation (GTCAC) representatives attended, including Delise Freeman and Mervyn Brown (attended on behalf of his mother), as well as Holcim leadership and Lynwood Quarry staff.
Lynwood Quarry manager Wayne Beattie said that the significance of the collaboration cannot go understated.
“The Aboriginal Keeping Place was proposed by Aboriginal stakeholders as a way to protect these artefacts and create a space to share culture and local history through education,” Beattie said.
“It will house important artefacts, feature selected displays, support cultural education and busher activities, and include a yarning circle, along with car and bus parking.”
Lynwood Quarry is home to more than 70 identified Aboriginal heritage sites, featuring scar trees, ceremonial grounds, and artefacts dating back over 6000 years.
Built through long-term consultation with the Aboriginal Heritage Management Committee, the Keeping Place showcases more than two decades of cooperation.
“There has been a lot of work, discussion, and feedback to reach this point,” Beattie said.
“The ceremony reinforced how important this project is for everyone involved, and we feel proud to be able to honour Country and support the preservation of Aboriginal culture for future generations.”
Construction of the Keeping Place is set to commence later this year, with completion expected by the end of the year.
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