A long time ago, before the dawn of man, father spirit Biame kissed the earth and bestowed the gift of life. His energy enriched the soil with fertility and the world glowed with his beauty.
A mountain rose from the land and soared into the sky. Seven Sisters were born inside, blessed by Biame. They whispered to the mountain: “Grow and grow and grow.” It soon became so tall its peak was lost in Night.
Then one day the mountain exhaled a mighty breath. The Sisters emerged like shooting stars, leaving glorious energy in their wake. It fell to the Earth as golden rain and rainforests grew in the mountain's shadow. Marment, the mother spirit, smiled upon this new life.
The Seven Sisters transformed into a sparkling constellation. From above, they watched the mountain become Nature's warrior. Other warrior spirits came to live at the mountain to battle and learn from his greatness. Many wars were waged and the earth trembled beneath their magnitude. The spirits threw dazzling spears of lightning and their war cries echoed as explosions of thunder.
Today, if you gaze at the mountain from the north, you can see the face of the warrior chief. He wears the scars of endless battle. This is Wollumbin, the fighting chief of the mountains.
Today, I search for the face of the legendary Wollumbin. Initially, the task appears impossible. The mountain is scrawled with various scars weaving in and out of one another, creating an intricate labyrinth, rather than a stony gaze. I blur my eyes and watch the mountain waver. In my state of dreamy haziness he finally emerges. The darker lines become more prominent and form the features of eyes, nose and mouth. Wollumbin wears a grave expression, watching the forests nestled below him. The Dreamtime legend flitters through my mind as I observe the rivers of scars embedded in his face.
These scars extend beyond Wollumbin. They flow through the forests, touching the animals and trees, finally breaking like violent waves upon the people who have lived here for thousands of years and loved and worshipped the land as a sacred God and Spirit.
The scars worn by the native people are not so difficult to find. You don't have to blur your eyes. I see the scars in their wistful gaze which constantly drifts back towards Wollumbin; I hear the scars in their quaking voices as they pray for the mountain's regeneration; I feel the scars in their hearts as they stand in silence, immersing themselves “with the Earth, the mountain, the sky… the sacred ground.”
Wollumbin is situated in the Tweed Valley, in north-eastern New South Wales. Wollumbin is an Aboriginal name meaning “Fighting Chief of the Mountains.” This name was bestowed by the Bundjalung Tribe who resided in Wollumbin's surrounding forests. The tribe believed the mountain was a battle site between Nature's warrior spirits, as it was constantly shrouded by rain, lightning and thunder.
Today, the mountain known among its people as Wollumbin, is officially entitled "Mount Warning" by the Australian Geographical Names Board. Captain James Cook declared this name in May 1770 during his voyage aboard The Endeavour along the eastern coast of New South Wales. The mountain served as a warning to sea-farers of numerous treacherous reefs located near the shore.
Wollumbin is the central remnant of an ancient shield volcano which erupted over 22 million years ago. Today it looms 1100 metres above sea level, half the height of its former grandeur. Wollumbin has attracted high numbers of tourists since it was reserved for public recreation in 1928. It is no wonder, I reflect, as I follow the worn footpath leading me to its foot. The mountain towers above the forests as if a majestic guardian. I crane my neck to find the peak but it fades into swirling cloud. I smile as I remember some refer to Wollumbin as “Cloud Catcher.”
The forests seem enchanted by Wollubin's spiritual aura. They are lush with palms and figs and tangled vines and wildflowers. I inhale gulps of pure air, relishing the scent of fallen rain and leaf litter. This world is almost silent. There is only the occasional song of a native bird and the sludging of my joggers pressing into damp soil. I feel as though I am in a forgotten fairytale world that existed long before man decided to capture Nature's grace with an axe. I tread with humble footsteps.
Since 1966, the forests encircling Wollumbin have been considered national parks, and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service has regulated their access. The Australian Government has identified the Wollumbin estate as one of the highest conservation priorities in Australia. The unique nature of the forests - fertile volcanic soils, high humidity and annual rainfall - creates a unique ecosystem unlike any other in the world. Over 500 plant species have been recorded - sixteen of which are considered rare, and nine of which are nearing extinction. 200 animal species are known to inhabit the forests; twenty of these have been listed as endangered under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act. Scientists believe the Wollumbin region contains evidence toward the origin of life. In 1986, Wollumbin was listed as a World Heritage Site.
