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Welcome to Our Country

Indigenous Australians represent 250+ nations (comprised of clans or tribes or mobs equalling 500+) speaking 250+ languages (comprised of 800+ dialects). Plus Australian citizens represent more than 190 countries and identified with more than 270 ancestries, of the currently 195 countries in the world today. We’re a colourful humanity.*

 The Message

I’m Riverbank Frank living here on the river
Here is the message I wish to deliver
We are one people here in Australia
Have to make it work or we’re the failure.

You and me, This culture thing
But we’re all the same under the skin
We can all share Australia’s glory
I’m Wiradjuri/Gamiliroi. What’s your story?

The best thing about Australia to me
Without a doubt is diversity
We’re all different but we are all one
This is our place in the sun.

I hope some day that we all will see
That we’re the answer you and me
Ain’t black or white it’s humanity
Let’s work together to end race insanity.

Written by Frank Doolan
(Rivererbank Frank)

Used with permission

Frank "Riverbank” Doolan Writer, poet and philosopher, an icon in the Dubbo region Wiradjuri Man recognised respected local elder
Narelle Urquhart Indigenous Engagement Advisor Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students and Support Services) Bond University Wiradjuri Woman
This map attempts to represent the language, social or nation groups of Aboriginal Australia. It shows only the general locations of larger groupings of people which may include clans, dialects or individual languages in a group. It used published resources from the eighteenth century-1994 and is not intended to be exact, nor the boundaries fixed. It is not suitable for native title or other land claims. David R Horton (creator), © AIATSIS, 1996. No reproduction without permission. To purchase a print version visit: https://shop.aiatsis.gov.au