Welcome to Dja Dja Wurrung Country. You’re here to solve a mystery, one that involves stories of Country, stories of my ancestors, of our totems.
You’ve lost your memory and you’ve shrunk. Strange creatures appear across Country. Someone tells you you’ve got a mystery to solve. What is going on?
Suddenly, you’re walking the land of birds on Emu Country, Land of Barramul. Ancient stories about the First Peoples of this land float from Country and the sky. The stories demand your attention but your faulty memory is not helping.
Will you take the steps to listen, respond, and solve the mystery before your memory disappears completely?
This adventure starts at the path into Kalimna Park at the intersection of Fletcher and Campbell St in Castlemaine. This 1km walking trail will take 45-60mins to complete and contains moderately steep and rocky inclines. Dress for the weather, and bring water with you!
Rating: PG
Traditional Owners & Stories: Dja Dja Wurrung people.
Written: By Djaara storytellers with Olivia Guntarik.
Photographs: Melissa Bilton.
Narrators: Claire Barker, Harley Douglas, Jacinta Douglas, Aunty Julie McHale, Uncle Rick Nelson.
Other Contributors: Harley Dunolly-Lee, Sharlee Dunolly-Lee
Land Acknowledgement
The Djaara people of Dja Dja Wurrung Country are recognised as the First Peoples of this region. As Traditional Custodians, the Dja Dja Wurrung have cared for country for centuries and as a commitment to future generations as part of Dhelkunya Dja and Balak Kalik Manya.
With thanks to all First Nations storytellers for voicing these Djaara stories: Uncle Rick Nelson, Aunty Julie McHale, Harley Douglas, Jacinta Douglas and Claire Barker. Thanks to Trent Nelson for the feuding volcanoes story and Harley Dunolly-Lee for his language contributions and story of Mindi. We appreciate the support of the Dja Dja Wurrung Land Corporation and Rodney Carter. Thanks also to Uncle Rick for his permission to share his family’s Welcome to my Homeland, Welcome to Emu Country song as part of this cultural walk. We acknowledge these stories of land, water and sky.
The stories we soar with bring us hope.
This adventure was brought to you in partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung people, and RMIT.
