Quiet Heroes

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Many celebrations this year have been postponed because of COVID19. One is the official opening of the Joondoburri Walk. It is located behind the Bribie Island Community Kindergarten, 34 Cotterill Avenue, Bongaree.

The wonderful Narelle Dawson, Director of the Bribie Island Community Kindergarten is hoping it can take place in September (the original date was 21st March). The beautiful signage is in place and the walk has been visited by many already. Narelle Dawson is an educator with vision.

Narelle saw the need to connect with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Community. Together with Ron Powell, a Bribie Island traditional elder, they researched edible plants and food sources, plants for medicinal purposes, trees and seasons and how they connect to other animal food sources.

At a time when we are losing so much of our significant forest areas to development, how important it is to celebrate the long hard process (since 2016) that Narelle and her team have put in to secure this area for teaching and learning. This has not been an easy process.

Narelle and her team lobbied State and Local Government because it is State land with local Government as custodians. They conferred with Moreton Bay Regional Council legal departments over Traditional Owner Rights. They met with Traditional Owners representative, Leisha Krause and gained the complete support and endorsement for the Project from the Joondoburri people. Botanical and environmental experts were consulted, grants secured. Narelle brought together lots of people from numerous places to envisage this project. Many have already noticed the main sign that highlights a map and the trees and plants that have an Aboriginal food source or other use.

Pop by and have a wander along the Joondoburri walk, you will learn how local Joondoburri people used the bush and were mindful to look after the natural trees and plants to ensure there was a plentiful supply for future generations. Trees were treated like people – we have much to learn.

Thankyou Narelle Dawson, Ron Powell and to the kindergarten staff, also to the parents and other community members that supported this inspirational project.