Caring for Country on Wemba Wemba Country · Deniliquin, NSW
Larnangurag Aboriginal Association
An Aboriginal land trust continuing a legacy of caring for Country at Elimdale.
Our Story Get in TouchAbout the Association
Larnangurag Aboriginal Association Incorporated is the legal entity established to hold and manage Elimdale, a property on the Old Morago Road outside Deniliquin, NSW. The property belongs to the Crown and is managed by the Association on behalf of the descendants of the late Barbara Walker (née Egan) — into perpetuity.
Elimdale lies on the traditional lands of the Wemba Wemba people and is the site of the original Aboriginal mission known as Moonacullah. In 2000, following the Native Title Act 1993 and the renunciation of Barbara Walker’s recognised native title claim, the Association was incorporated to carry this care for Country forward.
The History of Larnangurag
The Mabo decision
On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia ruled in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) that the doctrine of terra nullius — the legal fiction that the land belonged to no one before colonisation — did not apply to Australia. The Court recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples held pre-existing rights to land under their traditional laws and customs, and that native title exists within Australian common law where traditional connection has been maintained and not extinguished. The decision overturned nearly two centuries of settled law.
The Native Title Act
Following Mabo, the Commonwealth Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993, establishing a framework for Indigenous Australians to lodge native title claims across Australia, and giving statutory form to the recognition won in the High Court.
Barbara Walker’s claim
Under the Native Title Act, Barbara Walker (née Egan) was recognised as holding a legitimate native title claim over land in the Deniliquin region — traditional country of the Wemba Wemba people.
The Indigenous Lands Council
The Australian Federal Government established and funded the Indigenous Lands Council so that people with legitimate claims, such as Barbara Walker, could renounce their recognised native title claim and instead be funded to purchase a farm or property. The property would belong to the Crown while being managed by Barbara Walker and her descendants — into perpetuity.
A farm called Elimdale
For this purpose, Larnangurag Aboriginal Association Incorporated was created as the legal entity to manage the property, and a farm known as Elimdale was purchased on the Old Morago Road, outside Deniliquin. Elimdale holds particular significance to local Aboriginal people: it was the location of the original Aboriginal mission, Moonacullah, in the time of Barbara Walker’s grandparents. The mission later moved to its current location beside The Lagoon on the Edwards River, with the Old Morago Road passing through the middle of the old mission.
A continuing legacy
Barbara Walker passed away in 2012, but Larnangurag Aboriginal Association Incorporated continues to manage Elimdale through its Board — safeguarding the connection between family, Country and community for generations to come.
Governance
The Association is governed by a Board of ten seats — one seat for every child of Barbara Walker, or a representative of that child who is a descendant of Barbara Walker. From the ten positions, a Chairperson, a Treasurer and a Secretary are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting to serve a one-year term.
Contact
Larnangurag Aboriginal Association Incorporated
ABN 99 169 967 494
Postal address RMB Old Morago Road, Deniliquin NSW 2710
Email admin@larnangurag.com
Phone 0409 216 984
Elimdale · Old Morago Road
Deniliquin · NSW 2710
On the traditional lands of the Wemba Wemba people.
We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.