The decision to commission a team to record the memories and stories about the western common came about following the passing of a number of aboriginal elders.

Helen Duroux from Tenterfield’s Moombahlene Local Aboriginal Land Council said it was important they captured the history of the area before there was nobody left to tell it.

“A lot of us grew up here from the fifties onwards – we wanted to record the stories now because we’ve lost too many.

“We want to use the stories to create cultural awareness and awareness for our kids – it’s important to pass on a little knowledge,” she said.

National Parks Tenterfield Area Manager David Nalder said Curry’s Gap State Conservation Area was once a place where families survived on the fringe of town.

Knowledge holders travelled from as far as Maclean, Bowraville, Boggabilla, Moree and Inverell to participate in the project which is a joint initiative of the Office of Environment and Heritage, Moombahlene Local Aboriginal Land Council and Tenterfield Shire Council.

Local school children, many of whom are descendants of former common residents, visited Curry’s Gap last Wednesday to share in the project.

“Curry’s Gap SCA housed many Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families from the 1930’s through to the 1980’s in very basic facilities and it is amazing to hear the historic tales of living here during that time.

“These stories are part of the larger story of Tenterfield’s history,” Mr Nalder said.

Film maker Vera Hong spent three days at the site interviewing and filming and said documenting our countries unique history was fundamentally important.

“It will hopefully be used as education for adults and children and also for tourism.

“We want to get people excited – our focus is on people’s stories,” Ms Hong said.

Only the initial process has been funded to date and Ms Duroux said they would seek further funding to make sure the film was finalised.