Media Release: Noongar Six Season Walks 2024
7th August, 2024
Walking together, learning together
Join us for a series of Six Season walks across the Perth metropolitan area to learn about traditional ecological knowledge and how native plants and animals were used by the Noongar people. Perth NRM is partnering with the City of Kalamunda, City of Cockburn, City of Stirling, City of Bayswater, City of Melville and the Shire of Mundaring to host the walks at popular parks and reserves. The project will give participants a chance to understand the yearly cycle of travel and resource collection across the landscape from the hills to the coast.
Led by an Elder or Traditional Knowledge holder you will experience the various aspects of the Noongar seasons and learn about the culture and language of the Noongar people. You will gain new insight into our bushland and an appreciation of how the Noongar people managed the extensive resources available to them. You might hear how different blossoms were used to make a cordial, how banksia cones were used as fire sticks or the medicinal properties of plants.
Each walk will be unique, changing with the weather, the flora and fauna we may see, and the questions asked by participants. We invite you to join us for a cuppa and a yarn afterwards to share your thoughts and experience of the day. Learn something new and grow your appreciation of Noongar culture and our incredible natural surroundings.
Our first walk is planned for Djilba, or the growing season, in Kalamunda. It is a time of transition with some rainy windy days, the occasional sunny day and some cold crisp mornings. Keep a look out for the first flush of wildflowers and listen for the sound of chicks calling out to be fed.
“The City of Kalamunda is excited to host the Djilba walk in the beautiful Lesmurdie Falls National Park, where the community will learn about the seasonal cultural significance of the area from revered Noongar Elder, Uncle Neville Collard.”
Planning for the next five walks has started. Check out Perth NRM’s information page with initial details for a walk at Woodman Point with Mitchell Garlett and the City of Cockburn on Saturday 30 November, at the beginning of Birak.
“Our City is proud to partner in the Six Seasons Walks project,” City of Cockburn Mayor Logan Howlett said.
“It aligns with the City’s Reconciliation Action Plan (2023-2025) which asks us to create opportunities for residents to connect with Country and First Nations peoples through cultural events and workshops.”
“One of the best ways to help our community learn about local First Nations culture is to extend an invitation for them to learn about ancient stories and customs from local Elders and Custodians on Country and experience it for themselves.”
“The Boodjar Biddi walks on our Nature Discovery Days have proven very popular, so we already know local people are keen to learn about local First Nations culture.”
“Thanks to this Perth NRM and City partnership, local residents will be able to enjoy a local cultural walk during Birak in December to learn about how local Nyungar people enjoyed coastal environments with abundant food and cooling sea breezes characteristic at this time each year.”
Register for the Kambarang walk on Saturday 26 October in Noranda at: https://events.humanitix.com/six-season-walks-2024-kambarang
Register for the Birak walk on Saturday 30 November in Coogee at: https://events.humanitix.com/six-season-walks-2024-birak
For further information about the Noongar Six Season walks please contact Ingrid Sieler at
[email protected] or visit https://www.perthnrm.com/project/six-season-walks/