The First Peoples of the Eastern Kulin Nation, which includes the Wurundjeri woiwurrung people, the Traditional Owners of this land, measure change with an annual cycle of seasons marked by changes in the land, animals, water and sky. There are seven annual seasons and two non-annual seasons, fire and flood, which occur on average every 7 and 28 years.  

guling (Orchid season) is August. Orchids begin flowering and the cold weather is ending. Caterpillars of the common brown butterfly eat grasses at night, silver wattles flower and koalas begin their noisy night-time mating. 

poorneet (Tadpole season) occurs from September to October. Rain continues but the weather becomes warmer. Flax lilies begin flowering. Murnong (yam daisies) are ready for harvesting, and the day and night are equally long.  

woiwurrung translations by Wurundjeri woman Brooke Wandin. 

IMAGE:

Stephen N

Wurundjeri people

Coming Together, 2020

acrylic on canvas

66 x 49 cm

This artwork was created through The Torch, a not-for-profit organisation that provides art, cultural and arts industry support to First Nations people currently in, or recently released, from Victorian prisons.

ARTWORK STORY:

The circles represent families and tribes coming together along the Yarra River (represented by the white dots).