By Naomi Giles
Several years ago, as I counted off the years in life and faith, I had two things emerge as high priorities on my bucket list. One was to have an on-country experience, where I could sit and hear stories and wisdom from First Nations Elders, and secondly, to go somewhere to immerse myself in learning about care of the earth. These were two areas of my discipleship where I felt I was sorely lacking. On Barunggam land at Bethel Farm near Dalby, I was graciously gifted with both.
My first visit was as part of the churches of Christ Belly & Bones creative cohort in August 2024. We were warmly welcomed by the dhiiyaan family (One Meat Mob) overseen by Billy and Vicki Williams, invited into the yarning circle to listen in to ancient stories of language, lore and land. We were able to rest in the generous and gracious hospitality of a family who in love guided us through to a place of receiving.
As Billy (Jangala) spoke around the campfire at night, the stars, which stretch out like a sparkling canopy on this big sky country, began to reveal ancient stories, all of which were new to me. This was a taste of the oral wisdom held by aboriginal peoples, passed down generations and across clan lines.
In staying here over three days, I experienced Bethel as a sacred place, where under vast skies heaven seems to touch earth. There is a sacred story waiting to be told to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
It’s not only the people, but also the place, which has wisdom and grace to impart. The 40-acre property itself stands as a living testament to what happens when people walk in right relationship with each other and the land. These dusty acres are transforming into a place of variety and abundance, of beauty and renewal. As the earth heals, so do those who tend it. This is not just another permaculture project; it’s a sacred work of love and devotion.
The sun sets over Bethel Farm
So deep was the impact of my time at Bethel Farm, I felt a deep longing to continue the journey of learning. So, in my sabbatical year (2025) I asked if I could return, this time to spend six weeks in community.
During my time there, the GMP Indigenous Ministries Australia immersion group came through – a gathering of an eclectic group of leaders from across churches and communities.
It’s fair to say that it’s often a struggle for those who teach and lead as a vocation to adopt the posture of learners, but through IMA’s Nick Wight’s gentle guidance, each one was given the space to enter in where they were able to.
We were invited into the story of the land, of culture and history. Encouraged to explore how our own stories interacted with the greater story of our nation’s history, and our response as ministers and leaders, called to be ones who walk in the humble way of reconciliation with God and with all people.
Around the campfire the group reflected on the activities and learnings of the day, the encounters, the questions, the grappling and the grief. It was a sacred time for all of us.
Stories have been told a long time in this nation, with a myriad of dialects, song and dance, drawing from and passing on deep wisdom about the right ways of living in relationship with land and people.
As people of faith, what has come before us (history) is central to our understanding.
Why would we ignore such a rich resource right here in our land, which can inform and enhance our spirituality? Why wouldn’t we drink deeply from a well of knowledge that can reconnect us with the first sacred commissioning we all receive, to be caretakers of God’s creation?
As leaders and followers, we can choose to move from unknowing into knowing. There are ears and hearts much more attuned than ours, that can act as guides along this way. We have been invited to humble ourselves as students – to trust, listen and grapple with our own prejudice, history and blind spots in order to walk this way.
I haven’t figured it all out, I’m still on a journey, sometimes still blundering blindly along. But as I awaken to the larger story of this nation, layer after layer of realisation breaks in of how much has been lost in the years since this land was colonised.
But somehow among the ruins, I sense there is a voice calling us to still ourselves and listen deeply. There is an invitation to join with the big story of this great southern land, a deeper healing that we can be a part of.
A rainbow over ‘Big Sky Country’ at Dalby.
There’s a fire lit now in me, that has drawn me back yet again this year for another season of walking with the dhiiyaan community. I hope to soak in more of the wisdom of ancient knowledge, the beauty of the interwoven art and storytelling, be nurtured by the bush tucker in body and soul, and practice caring for the land as an entrusted custodian, not an owner.
Naomi working in the spiral garden at Bethel Farm.
L-R: Billy and Vicki Williams, Naomi Giles and Anne Simpson
Perhaps as we pause to reflect and celebrate this NAIDOC week, like the dhiiyaan community at Bethel, rather than being overcome by what cannot be undone, we can embrace truth and walk on in healing to experience what is possible when we live in right relationship with God, creation and each other.
The last glow of sunset over ‘Big Sky Country’ on Barunggam land.
Naomi Giles has been a leader in churches of Christ for the past 25 years. In recent years, she’s had a number of on-country immersion experiences which have opened her heart and mind to the gift of wisdom and story held by our First Nations peoples.
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