Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang are the six seasons of the Noongar Indigenous calendar.
With no start or end date to each season, the passing of each one is something that is felt. The Noongar people ebb and flow with the changes of Western Australia’s environment, letting nature guide them. Plants and animals have a special purpose in the changing of each season.
The flowering of white blooming gums signifies we’re entering Bunuru – our hottest, driest season of the year. Traditionally, Noongar people lived close to the coast at this time of year to try and keep cool – avoiding the hot easterly and northern winds and taking advantage of the afternoon coastal breeze.
Fishing along the river, estuaries and coast meant that seafood was widely available.
The South Coast Enviro Experiences project offers environmental volunteering opportunities linked with the Noongar Indigenous seasons. Our Salty Summer sessions during the time of Birak were a fantastic way to learn more about our coastal environment and local birdlife. As we enter Bunuru, we have a range of volunteer opportunities contributing to the protection and preservation of our unique south coast environment. These include identifying and removing weeds from our native bushland and surveying black cockatoos.
For more details about how you can get involved, head to our website: southcoastnrm.com.au/upcoming-events or contact Catherine in Albany (p) 0421 437 525 (e) catherinej@southcoastnrm.com.au and Jimena in Esperance (p) 0474 442 683 (e) jimenarm@southcoastnrm.com.au.