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The Balirt Biik team undertook the first cultural burn in the area for almost two centuries.
By Catherine Watson
A CULTURAL burn in the Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve last week is the first undertaken in the Warnmarrinh (Western Port) area for almost two centuries.
Adam Magennis, a Bunurong Traditional Owner, said the last recorded ecological burn by Bunurong ancestors was in the mid-1840s.
A CULTURAL burn in the Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve last week is the first undertaken in the Warnmarrinh (Western Port) area for almost two centuries.
Adam Magennis, a Bunurong Traditional Owner, said the last recorded ecological burn by Bunurong ancestors was in the mid-1840s.
The Balirt Biik (Caring for Country) team of the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC) burned a 1ha patch of grasslands within the Yallock Bullok Clan Area, known to the Bunurong as Dulunh.
BLCAC cultural and heritage officer Aunty Sonia Weston was given the honour of lighting the first fire. Having been part of the community ceremony in the Gurdies, after bushfire razed almost half the reserve in December 2024, she said it felt very significant to return.
BLCAC cultural and heritage officer Aunty Sonia Weston was given the honour of lighting the first fire. Having been part of the community ceremony in the Gurdies, after bushfire razed almost half the reserve in December 2024, she said it felt very significant to return.
“I’ve done burns before but not in Bass Coast. It was a very special thing to be doing it here. It was actually beautiful taking care of my country.
“It was a perfect burn. Cool and slow. The animals had plenty of time to get out the back. We could see the little orchids. A few acres where it really needed it. It will rejuvenate that country."
Mr Magennis said the ecological burn program played a significant role in Bunurong cultural revival.
“Reintroducing Bunurong-led ecological and cultural values management approaches aim to firstly heal Biik, and then work towards ecological restoration, modification and enhancement across Bunurong Biik and Bunurong Sea Country.”
“The purpose of this project was to symbolically mark Biik with the use of Kuunh within the Yallock Bullok Clan Area, and to mark the reintroduction of a Bunurong fire ecology program since the onset of European settlement within the County of Mornington, Western Port and the Bass Coast district.”
Fire (Kuunh) Team Leader Stefan Poll said the team assesses sites that align with BLCAC values.
“Once sites are identified, such as this site at The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve grasslands in a lowland forest area, the team works alongside partners including Forest Fire Management Victoria and the local Parks Victoria team to plan operations.”
A contingent of DEECA and Parks Victoria staff from around Gippsland were on hand to observe and monitor on Friday.
Gerard Delaney, Area Chief Ranger for South and West Gippsland, said they were there to assist if required, as there is still a high fire risk due to dry conditions, but the cultural burn project was led by the Bunurong Land Council.
“It’s about Bunurong people returning to burn as they would have done many years ago. It will help to regenerate those grasslands. They need to be burnt.”
Mr Delaney said about one hectare of a five-hectare site was burned and further burns were likely in future years.
“It was a perfect burn. Cool and slow. The animals had plenty of time to get out the back. We could see the little orchids. A few acres where it really needed it. It will rejuvenate that country."
Mr Magennis said the ecological burn program played a significant role in Bunurong cultural revival.
“Reintroducing Bunurong-led ecological and cultural values management approaches aim to firstly heal Biik, and then work towards ecological restoration, modification and enhancement across Bunurong Biik and Bunurong Sea Country.”
“The purpose of this project was to symbolically mark Biik with the use of Kuunh within the Yallock Bullok Clan Area, and to mark the reintroduction of a Bunurong fire ecology program since the onset of European settlement within the County of Mornington, Western Port and the Bass Coast district.”
Fire (Kuunh) Team Leader Stefan Poll said the team assesses sites that align with BLCAC values.
“Once sites are identified, such as this site at The Gurdies Nature Conservation Reserve grasslands in a lowland forest area, the team works alongside partners including Forest Fire Management Victoria and the local Parks Victoria team to plan operations.”
A contingent of DEECA and Parks Victoria staff from around Gippsland were on hand to observe and monitor on Friday.
Gerard Delaney, Area Chief Ranger for South and West Gippsland, said they were there to assist if required, as there is still a high fire risk due to dry conditions, but the cultural burn project was led by the Bunurong Land Council.
“It’s about Bunurong people returning to burn as they would have done many years ago. It will help to regenerate those grasslands. They need to be burnt.”
Mr Delaney said about one hectare of a five-hectare site was burned and further burns were likely in future years.
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Such a contrast to the destruction of Christmas 2024's large scale fire.
I hope we all learn some wisdom from this demonstration of indigenous knowledge!