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

A creek a day 10: Yarra River

Today I finally caught up with an old mate and we went for a ride along The Yarra River.

Yarra River - From the bridge @ Diamond Creek trail Lower Eltham Park

Having traveled back and forth across the city I'd caught glimpses of the river from the train but until now I haven't actually spent any time around the Yarra in the whole two weeks I've been here.

We commenced our ride at Lower Eltham Park from Homestead Road and followed the river past the Rosanna Golf Course then doubled back the way we came and headed east along the river and followed it through to Mullum Mullum creek until we reached the old Hill Climbing track in Templestow.

 

Never even heard of the Templestowe Hill Climb... apparently it was huge 'In the day'

After attempting the hill climb at first on our bikes and then struggling to even walk up it! I had my bike in low gear but couldn't get enough weight over the front wheel to stop the bike from flipping! (A Hill Climb is a motor sport race where people attempt to achieve the fastest time driving a car up an impossible grade/hill)

We headed back again toward Lower Eltham Park. About half way along the track we pulled into Petty's Orchard for a coffee... or two and a yarn. 

Swing Bridge - Ruffy Trail

View from Ruffy Trail bridge

 As we crossed the final foot bridge... it was a very High bridge, we came across a couple of young blokes who looked like they'd been swimming. 

A very High bridge... What the?!

  

My mate and I both looked down at the water, way, way down below us! We looked at the guys on the bridge, they seemed like they'd just had the thrill of their lives, we looked at each other.... "No Way!"

 Yep they'd jumped! And they did it again. They reckon it was a three to four second fall.

This ride was about 26km