Some months ago now Deni McKenzie OAM hooked me up with Kerry Moran, who is an Elder of the Anaiwan people living at Silver City Aboriginal Community, close to Armidale.

Kerry Moran has just provided me with more information about the Anaiwan people, their language and a train song recorded by her grandfather of great grandfather.

In August or September 2025 I plan to use the publication of the “Armidale Train Song” as a major theme for the NEN Marketing and Media Plans. This could include giving an Indigenous name to the GNR line. But we are still doing research into the country of other tribes/mobs that the GNR line passed through in the 19th century.

Iwata or Echidna

The echidna is the Totem of the Anaiwan and Banbai people. It is named iwata in the Nganyaywana language of the Anaiwan people, who are traditional owners of Mt Duval/Armidale region, and kukra in Banbai language of the neighbouring Banbai people from the Guyra region.

It features in rock art around Guyra and is commonly seen in the New England Tablelands. Some Aboriginal groups have eaten and continue to eat the echidna, it is a valued food source across Aboriginal communities throughout Australia.

Audio Recordings about the Anaiwan People and their History

In the meantime here is a fascinating recording about some historic audio tapes that are part of the Hoddinott Collection that is held University of New England.

https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/earshot/remember-my-words/102558410


John Young
New England Network
5-jun-2025