The Aboriginal elder led a tour of the Gorge reserve with NRM and explained everything from the natural and Aboriginal history of the Gorge to its cultural roots.

Aboriginal culture is an unknown quantity among Australia's white community. But, it is a fabulous blend of dream time, mysticism and culture, and it's ours.

Renowned Tasmanian Aboriginal elder, the late Auntie Ida West, once related a tragic folklore to journalists visiting Wybalenna on Flinders Island.

The well-intentioned George Robinson in 1834 took a large group of Aborigines to Flinders Island to resettle them and teach them British custom and Christianity.

The folklore goes that a group of homesick young Aboriginal women one night scaled surrounding cliffs in their nightdresses and jumped to their death, tragically believing the spirits would give them wings and set them free.

According to Auntie Ida, the dogs at the settlement howled at midnight to mark the tragedy, and still do.

Fanciful, mystical stories perhaps, but no more subjective or fanciful than some elements of English history or even books in the Bible.

Much of white Australian patronage and antipathy towards the Aboriginal community which, in turn, breeds contempt and defiance from Aborigines, is born of ignorance of the culture, even though these people are an integral part of Australian heritage.

In the long-term, education is the key. Aboriginal studies ought to be a major and sophisticated component of our education curriculum at primary, secondary and tertiary level.

Reconciliation between any people will never endure as just an emotional gesture. It has to be learned, understood and accepted. Then it will endure and even flourish.