This is the children’s version of the Dharawal Dreaming story of the Gymea Lily. the story tells how the first Gymea Lily came to be as told by Kodie Mason and Clare Mason, descendants of Ellen Anderson, senior Dharawal Elder (1850’s – 1931):

On Dugkurra (Georges River), a long time ago a hot drought was occurring.

On this particular day the sun was so intense our people were finding shelter and shade to try to stay cool, and only some of the men were able to go hunting for fish.

As the men were spearing fish suddenly, a low-lying cloud appeared. * In Dharawal culture we believe that the spirits of our ancestors return in low lying clouds.

But on this day the clouds were lighting up with all different colours, which alarmed our people further. These different colours were lightning strikes and there was a big storm approaching.

The men stopped fishing and ran towards the women and children where they were resting, but one young fella remained near the water.

This young fella was the son of the most senior man of the group.

With the storm coming over, there was blinding flashes of lightning and heavy rain, so the people rushed to a nearby cave for shelter. The cave was big and could fit hundreds of people inside. With all the people safe inside the cave, the last person to come in was the son of the leader.

Crack!

A big bolt of lightning struck the cave creating a terrifying sound and a flame, closing off the entrance and trapping the people inside. The young fella sat in the dark quietly while all the other people were scared. The young fella knew he had to do something, so he began to look for a way out.

He started to dig, and he dug and dug until he found some light.

So, he kept digging until he collapsed from exhaustion and his hands were bleeding.

Something moved his hands onto a little plant that used to be of no use and straight away it started moving and growing.

As the broad leaves started growing, from the centre of the plant a stalk began to grow and grow up until it reached several feet tall.

And it lifted parts of the collapsed rock creating an opening for all the people to get out safely.

Courtesy the Gujaga Foundation.