My name is Phoenix I’m 13-year-old from Brewarrina, a small town in outback New South Wales known for its strong Aboriginal heritage and deep connection to the land. Growing up on Country, I have always felt close to nature. I love being outdoors and spends most of my free time hunting, pigging, and fishing with my family and cousins. These activities aren’t just for fun they’re a way of life that connects me to my culture and the land around me.

I especially enjoy pigging, which I do with my dad and uncles and their dogs. I know how to track wild pigs through the bush and understand the balance of respecting animals and taking only what’s needed. I learned to move quietly, read animal tracks, and work as a team with both people and dogs. The excitement of the chase and the teamwork it takes to bring down a big boar gives him a real sense of joy.

Fishing is another favourite activity to do. Whether it’s casting a line in the Barwon River or setting nets with my cousins, I find it peaceful by the water. I’m patient and know where the good fishing spots are, passed down by older family members who’ve fished those rivers for generations. I often bring home yellow bellies, but I once court a huge Murri Cod which my family cooked over the fire.

Even though I go to school and play footy with my mates, it’s the time I like to spend on Country that means the most to me. I dream of becoming a sports athlete. So, one day I could look after the land, protect wildlife, and teach others and young kids one day and what i did for fun as a kid hunting and learning about Aboriginal traditions and ways of living off the land.

To me, pigging, fishing, and hunting are more than just hobbies they’re how I stay connected. to me this is where I come from, and what I want to be

When I first moved to Bre in 2023 I hated it, I didn’t like how hot it was or how it was so dry. It was so small and not a lot of people to be friends with. After a few days I started liking Bre more. I realised the smaller it is the quieter, and I have never seen red dirt before so that was new. My dad took us around Bre, and we went to the fish traps, and it was so pretty. We caught some fish, and they were yellow bellies. Dad took them home and cleaned the then we ate them for dinner. They were so yum. A few days after my uncles came over on the holidays. My dad and uncles took me and my siblings pigging with some of our other cousins. It took a while to find our first pig but when we did see one, I saw my uncles’ dogs chase it. It was scary but then I kind of liked pigging. I started going pigging with dad every time he goes. We always go pigging on weekends because there is barely any dog food in our town to feed our dogs. After a few days, it was a chill day and dad took me and my siblings to the mission outside of Bre, he showed us where the Aboriginal people used to carve their spears or sharpen rock to turn them into weapons.  He said we weren’t allowed to take anything from there because it would be disrespectful and because of the history. After all these things I learnt and saw about Brewarrina. I love it here. I love the red country and the sunsets I see from out my window. I have a lot of cousins here and unties and uncles that I didn’t even know I was related to. This is my journey of Brewarrina I hope you enjoyed it.