Embedded Files
Learning intention – We are learning about Aboriginal Peoples’ connection to Country and Place.
Success criteria – We can name at least one use of plants by the Aboriginal people at Kamay. We can outline the steps in using a bush resource.
Who are the Gweagal?
Who are the Gweagal?
Artist's impression of the Gweagal on the shore of Kamay Botany BayArtist - Jo-Anne Breneger | Kamay Botany Bay National Park
The Gweagal people
The Gweagal people
The Aboriginal people of Kurnell are the Gweagal people living along the southern shores of Kamay Botany Bay. Before the Europeans arrived they were living a plentiful life on the edge of the water surrounded by bushland.
There was an abundant supply of plants, animals and seafood in this area. There are many middens that are evidence of this.
Guardians of the white clay pits
Guardians of the white clay pits
The Gweagal people were the guardians of the sacred white clay pits found on their land. The white clay can be:
used as a base for a fire in the bottom of a canoe for cooking fish and shellfish
used as white body paint or coloured with berries to produce brightly coloured paint for ceremonies and corroborees.
eaten for a variety of medicinal purposes.
In the past other Aboriginal people would walk more than 100 km to collect some of this white clay as it was very sacred.
What do the Gweagal know about bush resources?
What do the Gweagal know about bush resources?
Spiny-headed Mat Rush
Spiny-headed Mat Rush
(Lomandra Longifolia (scientific name)
Uses include:
weaving of baskets/dilly bags from the leaves
eating the white part of the leaf (closest to the ground)
grinding of seeds to make bread
Old Man Banksia
Old Man Banksia
Banksia Serrata (scientific name)
Uses include:
carrying fire
brushing of hair with seed pods
dipping flowers in water to make a sweet tea
using the central part of the flower for painting
Cabbage tree palm
Cabbage tree palm
Livistona Australis (scientific name)
Uses include:
using the leaves to waterproof shelters
using the stems as paddles
eating the "heart" of the plant as a water source (only done in extreme conditions as the tree will not survive)
Blue flax lily
Blue flax lily
Dianella revoluta (scientific name)
Uses include:
eating of berries
weaving of leaves
Bracken fern
Bracken fern
Pteridium esculentum (scientific name)
Uses include:
eating of roots (usually only in winter when food more difficult to find)
juicing of leaves as insect bite relief
Paperbark
Paperbark
Melaleuca spp (scientific name)
Uses include:
rain protection
babies nappies
wrapping food such as fish before cooking on a fire (prevents burning)
Brushtail possum
Brushtail possum
Trichosurus vulpecula (scientific name)
Uses include:
meat can be eaten
clothing and bedding is made with the fur
using the small bones of the animal as pins and needles
Plate fungus
Plate fungus
Polypore (scientific name)
Uses include:
smoking ceremonies (fungus promotes smoke and stays alight for a long time)
Coastal Banksia
Coastal Banksia
Banksia integrifolia (Scientific name)
Uses include:
brushing of hair with seed pods
dipping flowers in water to make a sweet tea
using the central part of the flower for painting
Pigface
Pigface
Carpobrotus (Scientific name)
Uses include:
eating of edible flowers
eating of edible leaves (can be thrown in the fire, taste like salty chips)
juicing of leaves as insect bite relief
Golden wattle
Golden wattle
Acacia pycnantha (Scientific name)
Uses include:
swirling the leaves in water to stun nearby fish (leaves are poisonous to them). This was a useful fishing device.
rubbing together in your hands with water to create soap
Warrigal greens
Warrigal greens
Tetragonia tetragonioides (Scientific name)
Uses include:
leaves can be eaten (similar to spinach)
Activity 1 – food sources
Activity 1 – food sources
Refer to the information above to learn how the Gweagal people use plants and animals as a food source.
Activity sheets
Activity sheets
Complete the activity sheet Traditional use of resources to describe how the resources are used.
Complete the activity sheet Make a meal.
How would the Gweagal use natural resources?
How would the Gweagal use natural resources?
Use of resources
Use of resources
Kamay, the meeting place of land and sea and of saltwater and freshwater, is a place of remarkable natural abundance.
The Gweagal's deep knowledge of the environment allowed them to find all that they needed as well as caring for the environment.
To do
To do
Scroll through the image gallery and identify possible food sources for the Gweagal people.
View the video How to make bush bread.
View the video Weaving with lomandra.
View the video How to make bush soap.
Activity 2 – using resources
Activity 2 – using resources
How to sheets
How to sheets
Follow the procedure on How to make nectar blossom cordial to make a product from bush resources.
Follow the procedure on How to make bush damper to make a type of bread using flour and water cooked on a fire.
Activity sheet
Activity sheet
Read the procedures in the how to sheets.
View the video How to make bush soap and note the steps.
Write a procedure on how to make bush soap using this template.
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