By JESSE GRAHAM
RAIN and cold weather didn’t dampen the spirit of a group of young planters last week, who took part in a NAIDOC Week event in Badger Creek last Thursday.
A small group of children, parents and community members gathered beside the Coranderrk Creek in Badger Creek on Thursday 2 July, for the Yarra Ranges Landcare Network’s Connecting to Country event.
Near the banks of the creek on Bluegum Drive, the group assembled for a Welcome to Country and Indigenous smoking ceremony with Wurundjeri Elder, Uncle Perry Wandin.
The call on the event flyers for attendees to wear warm clothes and have a raincoat was heeded by all and they were immediately put to good use, with rain beginning to pour throughout the ceremony.
But the rain did not dampen anyone’s spirit on the day, with the ceremony going ahead, followed by a cup of tea to warm up, before the group set to planting indigenous plants along the banks of the creek.
The day had the theme of ‘connecting to country’ for NAIDOC Week, and the links between the community, environment and Indigenous culture.
Mr Wandin said it was heartening to see the children get involved in the day, the smoking ceremony and the planting.
“The more indigenous plants we put in, the better for the land itself,” he said.
“You look after the land, the land will look after you – that’s why indigenous plants are being put in everywhere now.”
Mt Toolebewong and District Landcare Group’s Karen Garth said that 500 plants were put in the ground on the day.
The children also took part in waterwatch activities, story-telling and trying out bush-food on the day, which was organised with Yarra Ranges Council, Melbourne Water, Yarra Ranges Landcare Network and Mt Toolebewong and District Landcare Group.
Another planting event will be held for National Tree Day on Sunday 26 July, meeting at the Badger Creek Old School Building from 10am. For more information, visit www.surveymonkey.com/s/NatTreeDay2015.
NAIDOC stands for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee, and NAIDOC week is held in the first full week of July – 5 to 12 July this year.
