By Sally McNiece
THE smoke from Aunty Sonia Weston’s welcome fire ascended and swirled around the those converging for Inverloch's recent “Caring for Country” celebration. Despite the blustery wind and the dark clouds that hung above them, around 60 people came together on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, 4 August 2023.
The event, hosted by the parent advisory group of the Inverloch and District Preschool, bought together many community groups: the Inverloch Recreation Reserve provided the site for the event and for planting; the South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) chose the plants and prepared the site for planting; Aunty Sonia Weston of Yallock Bulluk welcomed us; and Laura Brearley and Terry Melvin of the For our Future eco arts program captured the moment through still and moving images.
THE smoke from Aunty Sonia Weston’s welcome fire ascended and swirled around the those converging for Inverloch's recent “Caring for Country” celebration. Despite the blustery wind and the dark clouds that hung above them, around 60 people came together on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, 4 August 2023.
The event, hosted by the parent advisory group of the Inverloch and District Preschool, bought together many community groups: the Inverloch Recreation Reserve provided the site for the event and for planting; the South Gippsland Conservation Society (SGCS) chose the plants and prepared the site for planting; Aunty Sonia Weston of Yallock Bulluk welcomed us; and Laura Brearley and Terry Melvin of the For our Future eco arts program captured the moment through still and moving images.
| The president of the parent advisory group, Jessica Brent, said the support had been heart warming. “Bringing community together and providing meaningful experiences/connections for our children are two of our main objectives. We are so excited to see this happen in a meaningful, cultural and environmental way." Surrounded by their families the children - led by their educators - acknowledged the Boonwurrung / Bunurong as they do as part of their everyday practice: |  Photostory by Laura Brearley |
“At Inverloch and District Preschool we say thank you to the Boonwurrung/Bunurong people of the Kulin Nations for letting us share your land and your waters.
We promise to look after them: the animals, the plants, and the people too.
Hello land (touch the ground);
Hello sky (hands up to the sky);
Hello me (self hug);
Hello friends (open arms).”
The afternoon was both a celebration of community and reflection of our obligation to care for the land upon which we live, intrinsic values of the Boon Wurrung /Bunurong people whose land we live upon.
Aunty Sonia Weston told us she burnt the cherry ballart to create the smoke for her Welcome to Country. In Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong culture the cherry ballart is symbolic of the children; it can only grow by being connected to the roots of a parent plant, an established and mature tree. Only once the cherry ballart is established and mature is it able to live independent of the parent, just like our children.
Children’s Day is both a celebration of children and also the birthday given to those of the Stolen Generation who had their birth dates stolen too. This year the date was important for the Inverloch and District Preschool as it was the first time that an Elder from our community has welcomed us.
John Cuttriss of SGCS called the children forth and offered them plants to be laid into the soil. Not deterred by the wind, the children planted them with gusto, their confidence growing with each plant. Many children at the end were confidently planting on their own, two little hands firmly placing the seedlings into its new home and future.
We promise to look after them: the animals, the plants, and the people too.
Hello land (touch the ground);
Hello sky (hands up to the sky);
Hello me (self hug);
Hello friends (open arms).”
The afternoon was both a celebration of community and reflection of our obligation to care for the land upon which we live, intrinsic values of the Boon Wurrung /Bunurong people whose land we live upon.
Aunty Sonia Weston told us she burnt the cherry ballart to create the smoke for her Welcome to Country. In Boon Wurrung/ Bunurong culture the cherry ballart is symbolic of the children; it can only grow by being connected to the roots of a parent plant, an established and mature tree. Only once the cherry ballart is established and mature is it able to live independent of the parent, just like our children.
Children’s Day is both a celebration of children and also the birthday given to those of the Stolen Generation who had their birth dates stolen too. This year the date was important for the Inverloch and District Preschool as it was the first time that an Elder from our community has welcomed us.
John Cuttriss of SGCS called the children forth and offered them plants to be laid into the soil. Not deterred by the wind, the children planted them with gusto, their confidence growing with each plant. Many children at the end were confidently planting on their own, two little hands firmly placing the seedlings into its new home and future.
“If there’s planting to be done there’s none better than the super planters; the younger the better,” SGCS president Ed Thexton said.
As the crowd withdrew, the voices of parents Tash Bird, Bryce Cuttriss and Joel Evans serenaded the departing families. Smiles filled faces as the night descended.
Sally McNiece organised the event on behalf of the parent advisory group.
As the crowd withdrew, the voices of parents Tash Bird, Bryce Cuttriss and Joel Evans serenaded the departing families. Smiles filled faces as the night descended.
Sally McNiece organised the event on behalf of the parent advisory group.