As their contribution to celebrating NAIDOC Week, the Friends of Jirdarup Bushland launched their new brochure Djerap: Noongar Bird Stories recorded by Noongar Elder Emeritis Professor Dr Lennard M Collard with artwork by Noongar Whadjuk/Yamatji man Ron Gidgup.
On 20 July 2024, together with the Town of Victoria Park, the Friends hosted an afternoon of celebration for 60 supporters with bush tucker provided by Kuditj Kitchen and culminating in a walk through the Jirdarup Bushland.
The stories of the happy Kulbardi (Magpie), the lazy Wardong (Raven), the Djitti-djitti (Willie Wagtail) and the Darlmoorluk (Twenty-eight Parrot) had been previously gathered by Prof Collard from interviews with Noongar knowledge leaders and were reproduced with his permission. Ron Gidgup produced the inspiring artwork specifically for this project. This artwork represents the Wardong and the Kulbardi which are very spiritual birds within Noongar Whadjuk communities. Ron said: “These birds come to us giving us different greetings and messages, which can be omens, or news of good things to come. The colours represent the seasons, Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang in which the Waardong and the Koolbardi can always be seen.”
Hon Hannah Beazley MLA, Member for Victoria Park, was delighted to formally launch the brochure, stating, “These stories connect us not only to Jirdarup, but to 40,000 years of history. It’s wonderful to see the Friends’ ongoing commitment to working with Whadjuk Noongar people to incorporate Noongar katitjin—Traditional knowledge and wisdom—in their resources.”
How to Get Your Copy?
- Join the Friends on one of their Sunday bushland walks or you can also download a copy.
- Email admin@friendsofjirdarupbushland.org.au to enquire about multiple copies.
This brochure has been produced with the support of Hannah Beazley MLA and our SNRM grant.
Copies will be available at upcoming events.
Related resources
Collard L, Harben S, van den Berg, R (2004). Nidja Beeliar, Boodjar Noonookurt Nyininy: A Nyungar interpretive history of the use of boodjar (country) in the vicinity of Murdoch University. Report prepared for Murdoch University.
Collard, LM (2009) Djidi Djidi, Wardong, Kulbardi, Walitj and Weitj: Nyungar Dream Time Messengers. Westerly 54: 2
Collard, N. Whadjuk Trail Network. Oral stories.
Dandjoo Moordyap Dabarkan Noongar Language Project. (2014). Djerap: Noongar birds. Batchelor, NT: Batchelor Press.
Kaartdijin Noongar – Noongar Knowledge. South West Aboriginal Land & Sea Council.
Robertson, R et al (2017) Nyoongar Boodj Kooba Bardip Kooratan – Nyoongar Land Long Story Batchelor Press, Batchelor, NT.
Walley, T, Martin, C & B Martin (2013) Mardang Waakarl-ak. Dandjoo Moordyap Dabarkan Noongar Language Project. Batchelor Press, Batchelor, NT.