Yuranigh

Yuranigh was a Wiradjuri man who assisted the explorer and surveyor Sir Thomas Mitchell in his expedition into the  interior of Australia in 1848. Mitchell trusted Yuranigh and respected his knowledge and culture. When Yuranigh died four years later he was buried within a circle of carved trees in accordance with his people’s rites.  Mitchell also erected a Christian gravestone for him, as a mark of respect. This is the only site in Australia where indigenous and Christian burial rites are known to coexist. 
We visited Yuranigh’s burial site 32kms north of Orange with our friends D and J. It’s the most peaceful, beautiful place. The main photo is the gravestone which records Mitchell’s respect and regard for Yuranigh. The extras show one of the carved trees.