Summary

The book 'Parent Trees are Talking' was produced as part of a collaborative project between Wurundjeri Elders and Dixons Creek Primary School, with additional supported from Yarra Ranges Council and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria. The project lead and coordinator was Jennifer Schoof.

The project saw Wurundjeri Elders Uncle Dave Wandin and Ralph Hume, along with Victor Steffensen, teach the students about cultural burning and it's role in Indigenous culture and in maintaining a more healthy ecosystem.

The project was awarded the 2018 Australian Disaster Resilient National School Award.

Physical Description

Full-colour thirty-one page book with extensive text, images and illustrations.

Significance

In anticipation of the 10th anniversary, Museums Victoria and the Victorian Department of Lands Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) came together in late 2018 to develop a reflective space at Melbourne Museum, focussing on stories of environmental renewal and recovery, and stories of connection, hope and love. 'From the Heart: Remembering the 2009 Victorian Bushfires', which was on display from the 5th of February to the 12th of May, 2019.

The exhibition was opened after the State Memorial, held at the Royal Exhibition Building on the evening of the 4th of February. The memorial was attended by community members, supporters, members of the essential services, dignitaries including the Governor-General and the Government of Victoria, and politicians including the Prime Minister of Australia, the Opposition Leader, the Premier of Victoria, and former premiers.

The book 'Parent Trees are Talking' was produced from a collaborative project by Wurundjeri Elders with Dixons Creek Primary School and support from Yarra Ranges Council and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victoria. Wurundjeri Elders Uncle Dave Wandin and Ralph Hume, along with Victor Steffensen, taught the students traditional Aboriginal land management practices, as well as the cultural role of fire. The project received the 2018 Australian Disaster Resilient National School Award.

The inclusion of 'Parent Trees are Talking' is significant as an act of public acknowledgement of the necessity of adopting traditional land management techniques and theory to reduce the frequency and severity of bushfires.

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