History and culture | Prepare and Be Safe

When you are in Victoria, you may hear references to the first people of this land. They are called Aboriginal people.

At special events you might hear an acknowledgement of the country.

This is when a speaker pays respect to the Aboriginal people who have always lived in this place.

Aboriginal people have lived here for over 60,000 years.

Long before emergency apps and weather alerts, Aboriginal people knew how to stay safe and prepared by looking at nature.

They watched the stars, seasons, animals, and plants to understand their country.

This knowledge is still important today. It teaches us how to live with the environment, not against it.

Aboriginal knowledge can help us better understand the land we live on and feel more connected to the place we now call home.

There are many Aboriginal Nations across Australia, each with their own language, culture and customs.

The Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation are one of the traditional owners of the area now known as Melbourne.

The Kulin Nations use the word the word Naarm to describe the Melbourne city area.

Wurundjeri knowledge tells us that there are seven seasons, not four.

Each season shows the movements of the stars and a change in the weather.

The seasons change with the life cycle of plants and animals, like when certain flowers bloom or birds arrive.

These signs help people know when to harvest and travel or to prepare for rain, heat waves, or bushfires.

Source: mcmc.org.au/featured/waring-on-the-merri

Biderap Dry Season
January - February

Luk Eel Season
March

Waring Wombat Season
April-July

Guling Orchid Season
August

Poorneet Tadpole Season
September-October

Buarth Gurru Grass Flowering Season
November

Garrawang Kangaroo-Apple Season
December

The Aboriginal way of living is closely connected to the natural world.

They have found useful knowledge from the natural world, and it has been part of their religion for thousands of years.

The more we learn about Aboriginal knowledge, the better we can care for the land and keep each other safe.