Nine things we want to keep healthy

01

Wadawurrung culture and people

“How we connect with the spirit of our ancestors is what connects us.”

We are the protectors and carers of this Country and this Country protects and cares for us. When Country is sick, we are sick. Our stories, dances and songs keep us strong in our culture, and our lore and law guide us in keeping our people and Country connected and healthy.

02

Wadawurrung cultural sites and places

“By touching the scars on the tree, you are connecting directly with your ancestors.”

Stone huts and stone arrangements, rock wells, artefact scatters, ochre pits, oven hearths, grinding grooves, scar, birthing and ring trees, geoglyphs, rock art and ceremony places — plus the intangible places our songlines and creation stories pass through.

03

Enterprise and employment

We will seek ways to have our Country once again as the rightful economic basis for our people's enterprise and employment — a Caring for Country team and enterprise, cultural education, art and tourism businesses, and aquaculture and agriculture that heal Country.

04

Bush tucker, medicines and resources

“Our ancestors were innovative; the use of warrigal greens is the first recorded use of insulation technology for shelters.”

Our Country is our supermarket, hardware store, clothing store and pharmacy — murnang (yam daisy), go-yin and goim, walert, buniya caught in eel traps, and plant medicines such as black wattle gum resin and the many uses of the wiyn (grass tree).

05

Yulluk — waterways, rivers, estuaries and wetlands

“All our waters are living sources from Bundjil — the Karringalabul Murrup, the Creator spirit. Our waters were made for our survival, the survival of all things living.”

Barre Warre Yulluk — the great river running from the mountains to the ocean. The Barwon, Moorabool, Yarowee and Leigh rivers, Fyansford where the Barwon and Moorabool meet, and the Connewarre wetland complex of our Black Swan Dreaming. Our waterways were our highways.

06

Inland Country

Western volcanic plains and grasslands, grassy eucalypt woodlands, the You Yangs and Anakie Youang, an 11,000-year-old stone arrangement that pre-dates the pyramids, Kareet Bareet and Lal Lal. Victorian Volcanic Grasslands are now one of the most threatened ecological communities, with less than 5% remaining.

07

Coastal Country

From the Werribee River through the Avalon Coastal Reserve, Djilang, Bellawiyn and along the Barwon, Torquay and Airey's Inlet coastline. We have the largest stretch of registered cultural sites in Australia along our coastline.

08

Warre — Sea Country

“Our links to coastal and sea Country are vital! They continue to be a place where we can swim, fish, harvest and connect.”

Pt. Phillip Head and Pt. Addis Marine National Parks, Barwon Bluff Marine Sanctuary, saltmarshes, seagrass beds and kelp forests that shelter rock lobster and abalone. Pollution, overuse and warming waters are changing our Warre.

09

Native animals

Echidna and Yoorn (spotted-tailed quoll), Porronggitj (brolga), emu, frogs, reptiles, fish, eels and insects. Some are totemic species we have obligations to protect and look after, like Connewarre (black swan).