Kooyar Wongi

NATIONAL SORRY DAY
2020-05-26 | Australia
Observed annually on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.
National Sorry Day is a day to acknowledge the strength of Stolen Generations Survivors and reflect on how we can all play a part in the healing process for our people and nation. While this date carries great significance for the Stolen Generations and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it is also commemorated by Australians right around the country.
The first National Sorry Day was held on 26 May 1998, one year after the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Parliament. The Bringing Them Home report is a result of a Government Inquiry into the past policies which caused children to be removed from their families and communities in the 20th century.

Bill's Birthday!
2020-04-05 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
Happiest of birthdays to Kooyar Wongi Principal Director Bill Bennell. Thanks for everything you do for this business, your family, your community and your culture. You’re one in a million! #bestbossever #whatateam

Chill out, Djeran is here!
2020-04-01 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
Djeran (April – May)
Ant season, or the season of adulthood
Djeran sees a break in the really hot weather and generally spans April to May. A key indicator of the change of season is the cool nights, that once again bring dew for us to discover in the early mornings. As the season progresses the nights will become cooler and damper, along with some cool and rainy days.
The winds have also changed, especially in their intensity, with light breezes generally swinging from the south-east to south-west.
Many flying ants can be seen cruising around in the light winds. The previous season’s young have reached maturity and most have either left their parents or are getting ready to. This is why it is also often referred to as the ant season or the season of adulthood.
Djeran is a time of red flowers, including the red flowering gum (Corymbia ficifolia) on the south coast, as well as the smaller and more petite flowers of the summer flame (Beaufortia aestiva) in the north of Nyungar Country. You may also notice the red ‘rust’ and seed cones forming on the male and female sheoaks (Allocasuarina fraseriana), called condil. Banksias start to display their flowers too.
Traditionally, foods at this time of year included the seeds (bayu) that had been collected and stored for treatment from the zamia (djiriji) last season along with the root bulbs of the yanget (rushes), bardi grubs, fresh water fish, kooyar (frogs), yakaarn (turtles) and quenda (southern brown bandicoot). Mia-mias (houses or shelters) were repaired and reinforced at this time of year also, to make sure they were waterproofed and facing in the right direction in readiness for the cold and wet weather to come.
Nowadays, it’s a great time of year to go for a bush walk or a fish….usually….Given the unnerving and somewhat bizarre situation we find ourselves in at the moment, with the global COVID-19 pandemic forcing us to limit our interaction with each other and the outside world, the crew at Kooyar Wongi have been feeling philosophical. We have been reflecting on just how beautiful our South West natural environment is, how lucky we are to have it on our doorstep, and how much we miss it! We have also been reflecting on just how lucky we are to have each other, our family, our friends and our usual quality of life.
As they say, “This too shall pass.”. But until it does, look after yourselves and your loved ones. Seeya on the other side! #wereallinthistogether

Bunuru, the Second Summer
2020-02-01 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
The second summer, or the season of adolescence
Bunuru generally falls over the February-March calendar period and is the hottest time of the year in Nyungar boodja (country), with little to no rain. Hot easterly winds continue, with a cooling sea breeze most afternoons if you’re close to the coast.
Therefore this was, and still is, a great time for living and fishing by the coast, rivers and estuaries. Freshwater foods and seafood traditionally made up major parts of the diet during this time of year and still do today. We are never far from the Ngarngungudditj Walgu (Collie River) or the ocean at the moment, swimming, spending time with family, fishing and gathering.
Bunuru is also a time of the white flowers, with lots of white flowering gums in full bloom, including jarrah, marri and the tuart. Nectar feeding birds, insects and mammals just love the marri blossom in particular and this year’s display is really impressive, with masses of creamy-white deliciousness. Keep an eye out and you will see what we mean!
Another striking plant that is hard to go past at this time of the year is the female djiriji or zamia palm (Macrozamia riedlei). Being much larger than that of its male counterpart, the huge cones emerge from the centre of the plant with masses of a cotton wool like substance, called kundyl.
As the hot, dry weather continues the seeds (called bayu) upon the cones change from green to bright red, indicating they’re ripening and becoming more attractive to animals, particularly the emu, that will eat the toxic fleshy outer. Traditionally, this is also the time that they were collected by Nyungar women, for lengthy processing prior to eating.

Wandoo Valley Walk, Greenbushes
2019-10-31 09:00 - 11:30 (Australia/Perth) | Greenbushes, Greenbushes, WA, 6254, Australia
We will be walking along the beautiful Wandoo Valley Walk near Greenbushes and talking about Noongar traditional ecological knowledge, with the second of two events in partnership with Bridgetown-Greenbushes Community Landcare on 31 October.
Interested? Contact Cheryl Hamence to get more information and secure your place, as numbers are limited.

GMAS year 12 graduation and art unveiling
2019-10-18 17:00 - 19:00 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
We will be attending the graduation ceremony for the Georgiana Mooloy Anglican School Year 12s, where they will officially unveil the Noongar Six Seasons art mural that we have been working with them on as their gift to the school. Exciting!

Taking a walk through Perup Nature Reserve - Part 2!
2019-10-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Perup Nature Reserve, Western Australia, Australia
Well, our September field walk was so over-subscribed that we will be working with the Blackwood Basin Group to hold a second event on Saturday 12 October!
We will be walking and talking about Noongar culture and local threatened species in the stunning Perup Nature Reserve. Interested in this free community event? Contact Karrie at the Blackwood Basin Group on 9769 1129 ASAP to secure your place. Numbers are limited and it’s filling up fast!

Kambarang is here!
2019-10-01 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
The season of birth
During the Kambarang season, usually October to November, we see an abundance of different colours and flowers exploding all around us. It is often referred to by Noongar people as the season of birth, or the wildflower season.
The yellows of many of the wattles (Acacias) continue to abound, along with some of the Banksias and many other smaller delicate flowering plants including the kangaroo paws and orchids (kara or djubak). Also during this time the balgas will also start to flower, especially if they’ve been burnt in the past year or closely shaved.
One of the most striking displays of flowers to be seen during this season will be the moodjar (WA native Christmas tree) which continues to flower across Noongar boodja (land/country) from October to January. The appearance of these bright orange/yellow flowers serve to signal the heat is on its way.
This is the time of the year you are most likely to encounter a waakal (snake) or yoorn (bobtail lizard), as the reptiles start to awaken from their annual hibernation and make the most of the warmth for energy to look for food.
It’s also a time that many young families of birds will be singing out for their parents to feed them. Koolbardies (magpies) will also be out protecting their nests and their babies, so don’t forget to duck!
Many things are undergoing transformation with the warm change in the weather and the landscape is alive with colour and noise as a result.

Taking a walk through Perup Nature Reserve
2019-09-14 | Perup Nature Reserve, Western Australia, Australia
We will be walking and talking about Noongar culture and local threatened species in the stunning Perup Nature Reserve. Interested in this free community event? Just contact Karrie at the Blackwood Basin Group by 11 September. Numbers are limited and it’s filling up fast!

Noongar culture with Nannup DHS
2019-09-12 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
We will be spending some time with the students and staff at the Nannup District High School to teach them all about Noongar culture and perspectives on local native animal species. It’s going to be a great day out!

IndigifestOz 2019!
2019-08-30 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
How do you attract people to your display at an expo that is absolutely packed with awesome Aboriginal initiatives and organisations? With tasty treats and prizes of course! Thanks so much to CinefestOz for having us at IndigifestOz 2019!

Open Mic Night for Small Business
2019-08-15 18:00 - 20:00 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
We are taking part in an Open Mic Night for Small Business at The Good Egg in Busselton. Thanks to Business Advisory South West and Peel and IPS Management Consultants for involving us!

Djilba has arrived!
2019-08-01 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
Makuru, the coldest and wettest time of the year, has come to a close and Djilba has arrived!
Djilba season, generally spanning the August to September period, is a transitional time of the year and is considered by Noongar people as the season of conception, or the growing season. It is characterised by some very cold and clear days, along with warmer, rainy and windy days and the occasional sunny day or two.

Makuru season is here!
2019-06-01 | 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
Makuru sees the coldest and wettest time of the year come into full swing.
Traditionally, this was a good time of the year to move back inland from the coast as the winds turned to the west and south bringing the cold weather, rains and occasionally snow on the peaks of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.

Djeran is here!
2019-04-01 | Kooyar Wongi, 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
Djeran season at last sees a break in the really hot weather and winds and is the time to get ready for the cold, wet and wild months to come!

Traditional Ecological Knowledge Field Walk - Greenbushes
2019-03-28 | Greenbushes, Greenbushes, WA, 6254, Australia
Excited to be heading out on Country with local community members in Greenbushes to talk about ecology from a Noongar perspective!
Interested in something like this happening in your patch? Just give us a call or email us to see what we can design for you.

Bunuru is Here!
2019-02-01 | Kooyar Wongi, 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
We will be marking the commencement of each of the Noongar six seasons throughout the course of the year. Today marks the beginning of Bunuru, the hottest season and one of our favourites! We will post more information about this glorious time of the year on our blog over February and March, so stay tuned.

Cross-Cultural Awareness Training
2018-12-06 09:00 - 15:00 | 14 Plaza St, South Bunbury WA 6230, 14 Plaza Street, South Bunbury, Western Australia, 6230, Australia
Kooyar Wongi will be delivering Cross-Cultural Awareness Training to all staff at Southwest Community Legal Centre in Bunbury as part of their professional development and organisational commitment to improving cultural competency.

Birak is here!
2018-12-01 | Kooyar Wongi, 84 Seymour Street, West Busselton, Western Australia, 6280, Australia
We will be marking the commencement of each of the Noongar six seasons throughout the course of the year. Today is the first day of Birak season. Birak sees the rains ease up and the warm weather taking hold. It is hot and dry with easterly winds during the day.
