Bendethera

An interesting area combining places valued in the pre to early contact period; a burial site, a Dreaming track and a ceremonial cave. The Bendethera area was not visited during the course of this investigation.

As told to Les Simons by a local non-Aboriginal man, two Aboriginal leaders who resided at Wallaga Lake were selected to guide a settler party to gold deposits in the Bendethera area. After leading the party to the gold, the two men died of ‘natural causes’. It is believed the two Aboriginal men were shot and buried in the Bendethera area [Les Simon 03.11.2005].

As told to Dave Tout by Percy Mumbler and his sister Mavis Mumbler there are ceremonial caves containing art at Bendethra. There are also ancient walking tracks linking the coast to the mountains. One such track passing through Shallow Crossing, Clyde River, linking Bendethera and Larrys Mountain and to the Monga and Araluen areas [Dave Tout 25.1.2006].

Trisha Ellis’ family talked about a ceremonial cave where the old people communicated with their ancestors. People use to go to Bendethera to drink the water, which filtered through limestone rocks. The water is thought to have healing qualities. ‘Ginn’s Cave’ is near Bendethera, as recorded in the Moruya Examiner in the 1890s [Trisha Ellis 29.5 / 4.2.2006].

 

Excerpt from "Stories About the Eurobodalla by Aboriginal People", 2006. Story Contributed by Martin Ind from Moruya High School.