Aboriginal burning practices return to Victoria’s landscape
A partnership between traditional land owners and government led to the reintroduction of Aboriginal burning techniques that had not been used in land management in Victoria for some 170 years.
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Not only does the partnership provide a greater range of skills and techniques in land management, but it has allowed for something that is culturally significant for Dja Dja Wurrung people.
The first burns were conducted in Maryborough and Whipstick in May; in July, elders returned to the site at Whipstick, which has been named Djandak Wi, or ‘fire country’.
A months-long, emotional process for the LGBTI community came to a head on November 15, when the results of Australia’s postal survey were announced.
The nervous tension was palpable that morning at Bendigo Trades Hall, where members of the LBGTI community and marriage equality supporters had gathered to hear the results.
While many were quietly confident of a positive result, the possibility it could swing the other way loomed large.
But to the relief and joy of all gathered, Australia’s chief statistician announced that 61.6 per cent of Australians had said ‘yes’.
To share in that moment with the people for whom it mattered most was a privilege, and it was difficult to keep the tears at bay amid so much happiness.
When Richard Branson became acquainted with a Bendigo icon
It’s not every day you get to ask a question one of the world’s most famous businesspeople, but that happened when Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson employed the talents of Bendigo’s lion dancers and drummers, and the impressive night dragon Yar Loong, to launch his Melbourne to Hong Kong flights.
At the time, Bendigo was in the midst of a massive fundraising effort to generate $750,000 for the creation and shipping of Imperial Dragon Sun Loong’s successor Dai Gum Loong.
When asked, Sir Richard was shy of committing an exact figure to the fundraising effort, but said he would contribute.
Efforts to protect our natural and cultural heritage
There is 1200 hectares of land near Wedderburn that has been set aside for the protection of the natural environment and the benefit of native wildlife.
The land is owned by Bush Heritage Australia, a non-government conservation organisation.
But the work to preserve the natural environment has also led to the discovery and protection of important Dja Dja Wurrung artifacts, including scar trees: trees that were stripped of sections of bark to create tools and shelter.
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation chairman Trent Nelson explained the importance of such artifacts to the traditional owners.
“It’s something that connects us to our ancestors... it’s tangible cultural heritage, we can touch it, we can feel it,” Mr Nelson said.
Couples talk about their lifetimes of love
To mark Valentine’s Day, I spoke to two couples who had spent more than six decades together.
Gwen and Des Steart met as teenagers and were together for a few years before marrying in March 1951.
For Maureen and Ted Fulcher, the courtship moved fast: they became engaged six weeks after they met and married in 1952.
The couples put the longevity of their relationships down to the basics: love, respecting and caring for one another, and putting in effort.
It was, quite simply, wonderful to talk to people who held so much love for one another after so many years.