Wilip-gin Birrarung murron

 Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Bill 2017.

 Moved 22nd June 2017

When thinking of the protection of our fresh water streams and rivers nothing expresses the connection some of us feel to these places quite like the words of the people whose ancestors lived in intimate connection with that place since the beginning. 

From the Parliament of Victoria facebook page:

"On an historic day in the Victorian Parliament, Aboriginal elders have addressed the Legislative Assembly in English and Woi-wurrung language to explain their connection with the Yarra River and the importance of protecting the river for generations to come. The elders’ statements were made prior to the introduction of the Yarra River Protection (Wilip-gin Birrarung murron) Bill 2017."

Listening carefully to the Elder's Statement you can hear the painful story of colonization and disregard for the original people and the land. There is no escaping this fact, however maybe with the introduction of this bill in a way that acknowledges the Warunjeri people we might  be making a step in the right direction.

The longer I am away from it the stronger the need to be at Birrarung (Yarra River) and it's tributary creeks and streams. The Plenty River is a tributary of the Birrarung. This is Wurunjeri land, the people are regaining their Woiwurrung language, their connection to the land has endured despite all that has been done to them. 

Environmental Justice Australia Document 
One step closer to a Yarra River (Birrarung) Protection Act HERE



The Bill Can be found HERE 
http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/domino/Web_Notes/LDMS/PubPDocs.nsf/ee665e366dcb6cb0ca256da400837f6b/c66c392730378d9aca25814500286bb1!OpenDocument

Will insert Hansard when I have access