Local Culture
Much of the history of the Kyogle area is a chant, a song of slow change documented only by the rocks, the trees and the legends of the first Aborigines. So wrote an early historian of Kyogle. The area of Kyogle, a name derived from Kaiou gal (the place of the plain turkey), was settled by the Bundjalung people, whose territory was wide and who had adapted to the environment over countless generations.
Natural foods were abundant and the Bundjalung people were at one with their surroundings. They had an extensive body of legends and cultural heroes to explain their origins and the natural features of the region.
You are warmly invited to explore our way of life, our strong connection to country, our love of the land and our living culture.
Our People
The Kyogle area suits people who like living in a beautiful location with good soil and clean air. We have access to the larger regional centres of Lismore, Casino, Murwillumbah and Tenterfield and we’re only a stones throw from the Gold Coast, Warwick and Toowoomba.
With internet, road, rail and air connectivity, you can live in a community where you will get to know your neighbours and you can do business with the world.
We are a rural community. We are farmers. We grow food and fibre, we mill logs and raise cows. Open space, clean air, access to water and good soil have lead to loads of activity in organics and sustainable, regenerative and small scale agriculture.
We are made up of a lot of small businesses and some large ones to. The valleys and villages are alive with artisans and creatives inspired by the beauty around us. Our World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests are our greatest tourism and environmental asset. If you have an idea you can make it happen here and do business with the world or keep it local. It’s up to you.
Our population is growing, and recently we have been attracting a lot of interest from young families and older people looking to move here due to better roads and internet connectivity, affordable land and housing and the clean, green surrounds. We have our challenges – but we are a “can do” community with a strong buy local and volunteering culture.
You are warmly invited to explore our way of life, our strong connection to country, our love of the land and our living culture.
Uncle Andrew Johnston welcomes you to Kyogle.
It is a custom that people are welcomed to country to help them relax and be their best self that they can be. Uncle Andrew welcomes you and teaches you a little about smoking ceremonies.
Conducting traditional burns to keep the country strong.
The Githabul Rangers have joined forces with the NSW Fire Service to implement a series of cultural burns on Aboriginal Land in the Kyogle Local Government Area.
Hear this story from Githabul Elders Aunty Gloria and Uncle Rob about how they use fire to keep the country strong.
“The earth was born of fire. A melting and shifting core formed its landscape. Thereafter came the guardians and beings and each of these created a place for its people. Where to manage the seasons, death, creation and knowledge. Bring back the sons of the mountains that they will have eyes to see and ears to hear the lores and commands of the ancient ones and be a fruitful and blessed people as designed”.
Rob Williams, 3 March 2020.