ABORIGINAL SEASONS

Learning Intention: We will learn about the different Aboriginal seasons in the Wurundjeri (Melbourne) area.

We know that there are four seasons: Summer Autumn, Winter and Spring. But did you know that the Aboriginal people who live in our area know that there is actually seven (7) seasons?

AUGUST IS GULING SEASON: ORCHID AND WATTLE SEASON

The seven Wurundjeri seasons in the Woi Wurrung language are:

• Biderap, Dry Season (Jan-Feb)

• Iuk, Eel Season (March)

• Waring, Wombat Season (April-July)

• Guling, Orchid and Wattle Season (Aug)

• Poorneet, Tadpole Season (Sept-Oct)

• Buarth Gurru, Grass Flowering Season (Nov)

• Garrawang, Kangaroo-Apple Season (Dec)

Guling is a short season full of change, beginning around late July through to August. The wattles (acacia trees) burst into their full yellow spectacular, common brown butterflies feed at night, local orchids pop open and if you have koalas in your area, you may well hear the males assert their magnificence to local females at night – an awful loud grunty bellow that sounds part way between a bear growl, a pig grunt and a cow! You can hear one in the video below.

The City of Monash has several wattle (acacia) plants that are indigenous to the area.

Your task:

1. Upload a photo of your acacia plants to the Sustainability folder in SEESAW.

***** See if you can name any of the types of plants using the photos below or GOOGLE search