Contributor: EastWeb Board
Posted: 09-08-2006
Walking Birrung
In May, a small group of the Friends of EastWeb were treated to a guided tour by Indigenous educator Fay Ball of the Koorie Heritage Trust. Fay walked the group up the misty Yarra/ Birrung telling the history of the land as we went. Fay described for us the local lifestyle and helped us to imagine the waterfalls where now the Aquarium stands. As we crossed the bridge to the southern side of the river’s banks, Fay acknowledged that traditionally we had also crossed between nations, from the Wurrundjeri to Boonerwrung lands. To the untrained eye, the traces of this history are invisible, thanks to government policies who first displaced the local peoples to where the Botanical Gardens now stand, and then pushing them further to the periphery of society and excluding them from public places. It is a tribute to the strength of the culture that despite this history the stories are still alive, the uses of many native plants are still remembered, and that in the face of these experiences; we were invited to walk the Birrung together. It was fascinating to have this history shown to us, and all agreed it was an event worth repeating.
Afternoon tea was catered by Native Oz Cuisine, and while we happily munched on a variety of Australian flavoured morsels, Naomi Prior spoke about the Unity Breakfast Program. Unity received a grant from EastWeb in 2005 to provide a healthy breakfast and nutrition education to primary school aged children in the south. All enjoyed hearing first hand the inspiring results that the program was achieving.
And before we let her go, after a little cajoling, Fay agreed to share with us some acapella songs she had written - the perfect way to end a memorable day.
Thanks to all those who braved the weather, we look forward to seeing you again soon,
Website:
http://www.eastweb.org.au
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