Dreamtime Story by Baryulgil Public School preserves culture and language for generations to come

“There is a place down by the river, that holds memories in the earth, that little feet walk on, where the trees bend down to listen to stories told time and time again of a witch. Some say she brings all the mischief in the world, some say she is a friendly old woman, they all know her as the Dirrangun.

“This place is Baryulgil and you are welcome to listen to its story.”

Baryulgil is a rural town in north-eastern New South Wales, located on the Clarence River on Western Bundjalung (Wehlabul) Country. Baryulgil Primary School is a small school, with an average enrolment of 10 students, from one of the 3 Communities in the area: Baryulgil, Malabugilmah and Yulgilbar. 

Though they are a small school, the Baryulgil School Community have big hearts for their students and support not only their education but also their emotional, cultural, and social wellbeing.

“Our students thrive as they grow up on Country at Baryulgil,” says Principal of Baryulgil Public School, Ashli Ware. 

Ngali Nga Balun, Ngali Nga Jugun (Our River, Our Country) is a picture book, published through the ILFs Community Publishing program, that tells a Dreamtime Story that has been passed down for many generations.

This story was told to Author Lynette Donnelly by her grandmother Lucy Daley, who was told by her mother and father when she was a little girl. 

Lynette is a proud Wehlabul Elder and Aboriginal Education Officer at Baryulgil Public School. She is deeply connected to her Community and Country, and dedicated to fostering cultural teachings and storytelling among students. 

“So when Aunt (Lynette) was thinking about this book, we were sitting in the yarning circle with all the Elders,” says Education Attendance Officer, Michael Gibbs.

“One of the Elders jumped up and said, ‘Aunt you come over and do this because you tell this story better than any of us,’ and that was where the seed was planted. Now we’ve got the real deal book sitting right in front of us. It’s so great!” says Michael.

The story is about the Dirrangun – the Creational Being or witch who created the Clarence River.

Readers will also learn words in Wehlabul language throughout the text. 

Ngali Nga Balun, Ngali Nga Jugun (Our River, Our Country) was created in ILF-run workshops in October 2024 with Baryulgil Public School staff, Community-members, and 8 students ranging from kindergarten to year 5. 

Lynette provided the story, while Community member Eloise Walker supported the children with the illustrations. Eloise did many of the larger illustrations throughout the book and the children from the school provided smaller illustrations and backgrounds for the text. Eloise’s son attends Baryulgil Public School and was part of the workshops.

Last week, the ILF was privileged to attend the Community book launch during the school’s annual Togetherness Day. It was a day filled with joy and pride of the hard work of all involved. 

This book is commercial, meaning that children and adults all over Australia can purchase it and learn about the Dirrangun and celebrate Wehlabul language and culture. 

Royalties from this book will go back to supporting Baryulgil Public School.

You can purchase it now on the ILF's shop, here.