Dylan Wilson has seen Main South Road transform before his eyes since he started working on the Fleurieu Connections Alliance duplication project 2 ½ years ago.

The First Nations employee spends his days outdoors, operating a roller on stage 2 of the project, which stretches from Aldinga to Sellicks Beach.

Dylan started his role in November 2022. That was before the road was duplicated and many of the new structures were built. He’s helped the Tatachilla overpass, Ngaltingga Bridge, Pedler Creek bridge, and—most recently—the new Aldinga bridge, rise from the bare earth.

‘I remember the old South Road and the abutments out here before they built the (Pedler Creek) bridge,’ Dylan says.

National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June. The theme for 2025 is ‘Bridging Now to Next’, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.

Dylan spoke of proudly sharing his achievements with his kids—of literally helping to build bridges, and also the rest nodes for walkers and cyclists that celebrate aspects of local Indigenous culture. ‘I’ve personally taken a picture (of a rest node), shown that to my kids and said this is what the FCA has done and I’ve helped progress that along. It’s that sense of belonging and achievement,’ he said.

Dylan took a moment out of his busy week to share aspects of his culture and Country.

Dylan is from Narungga Country on Yorke Peninsula. He says his Country is ‘pretty much right on the beach’ and fishing is a key aspect of his culture. ‘Once a year Narungga have a butterfish and abalone fishing competition,’ he says. The free family event Gynburra is held over a weekend each Summer.

There are certainly some similarities between his home Country and the place where he works—Kaurna Country—which also has strong ties to traditional fishing. Dylan has proudly shown his kids the rest nodes on Main South Road where cyclists and walkers can stop and reflect on aspects of traditional Kaurna culture, including fishing.

A much-anticipated sporting competition is another major event on the annual Narungga calendar.

‘They’ve also got a football competition where you get the different tribes (within South Australia) making their own teams.’ He says that Narungga has been pretty successful in this event in recent years.

When asked what he loves about Narungga culture, he highlights all of the above. ‘The people, the culture, the butterfish competition and the football competition make me feel whole,’ Dylan says.