There is little left of Gerry Moore's property on the NSW south coast, which has been used over the years for Aboriginal youth camps and cultural gatherings.
A ferocious fire on New Year’s Eve destroyed the property near Nowra.
Indigenous landowner Mr Moore says the destruction happened all too quickly.
"It’s very emotional, it’s heart-wrenching, it’s devastating it’s all those words," he told SBS News.
The damage to Gerry Moore's property. Source: SBS News/Cassandra Bain
Other members of the Indigenous community are also surveying the damage to their fire-affected homes and land.
In attempt to turn sorrow into hope, members of the Yuin Aboriginal group on the NSW south coast came together for a traditional healing ceremony.
Those gathered at Huskisson beach and participated in prayers for rain and songs of tribute for those who died in the bushfires.
Gerry Moore's son, Richard Scott-Moore, says the community is in mourning.
"It takes a lot of energy, a lot of spirit...This is who we are. We’re guardians of the land. It’s about us taking care of everybody."
The healing ceremony also acted as a fundraiser to help local Indigenous families left homeless by the bushfires to get back on their feet.
Yuin woman Ashleigh McGuire says people are simply trying to survive.
Performers at the corroboree dance and sing to pay tribute to those killed in the bushfires. Source: SBS News/Cassandra Bain
"A lot are living without power, without water without women’s sanitary items, nappies."
The corroboree's performers say their key message is a call for kindness and unity at a time when Australians are grappling with the impact and scale of this season's bushfires.
Yuin woman Ashleigh McGuire says the healing ceremony also aims to raise funds to help families rebuild and recover. Source: SBS News/Cassandra Bain
