‘On Country’ with Dhuduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation and BirdLife Australia
The autumn morning air was crisp as we gathered at the entrance of Susan Campbell and Kent McCoy Reserves. We had a great turnout for the walk, all enthusiastic for the chance to combine experiences of cultural knowledge and birdwatching in the urban hilltop reserves.
Our special guests for the morning included Uncle Al Murray, Uncle Phil Murray, Richard McTernan and Ben Davey from Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation, alongside Ben Humphries from BirdLife Australia.
The Uncles shared that this area held significant importance for Indigenous groups traveling through to the mountains. “This was a gathering place,” Uncle Al explained, gesturing to the surrounding landscape. “Groups would often travel together along these routes on their way to harvest Bogong moths in the mountains.” His words painted a picture of the land alive with history and connection.
Eyes to the Skies
As we slowly wandered the meandering track toward the hilltop, Ben from BirdLife Australia brought the bird world into focus, helping us spot species we might otherwise have missed. Binoculars helped our curious eyes search the canopy and shrubs for movement.
“Over there,” he’d say, directing our attention to a flash of color or distinctive call. Other keen birders in the group also guided our gaze and added to the collective tally. We noted features that helped with identification and Ben elaborated on the habits and nuances of the birds we saw.
By the end of our walk, Ben had helped us identify an impressive 20 different bird species, including the threatened and declining Blue-faced Honeyeater, a sighting that helped to highlight the ecological significance of these urban reserves. See Ben’s bird list here.
Some Pauses with Purpose
Up on the hilltop, Uncle Al demonstrated the art of stone tool making. His hands moved with practiced precision as he showed how larger rocks could be carefully chipped and flaked to create the sharp tips needed for tools. “Some people are more ‘carpenters’ like Uncle Phil,” he said with a smile, “and others are ‘stone masons’ like me. But we all work together.”
At the perfectly placed picnic table, we paused for a cuppa while the chat continued. The conventional snacks of pastries, fruit and nuts offered by Landcare were complemented by Uncle Phil passing around “snottygobbles” (mistletoe fruits) and bush lollies – a literal taste of Indigenous food knowledge collected from nearby plants.
During the bouncing conversation, Uncle Phil offered words that seemed to capture the essence of our day: “We just need to keep walking, talking, learning, and sharing.” The simplicity and intention of this statement resonated with our experiences during the morning.
Conservation in Action
As we made our way through the reserves, we couldn’t help but notice the careful restoration work being undertaken. Members of the Friends of Susan Campbell & Kent McCoy Reserves, as volunteers who work collaboratively with Wodonga Council, have been enhancing the habitat around larger older trees with strategic plantings that provide diverse habitat types, shelter, and food sources for birds and other wildlife.
These efforts represent hundreds of volunteer hours and a deep commitment to preserving and improving these urban spaces. The importance of these spaces, as corridors of biodiversity within our urban landscape, became increasingly evident as we observed the abundance of life they support.
Coming Full Circle
As our walk drew to a close and we returned to our starting point, there was a sense that we had experienced something special. It was a morning of connection, with the land and with each other.
Uncle Phil’s earlier words about “walking, talking, learning, and sharing” seemed to perfectly encapsulate what had transpired. We had walked together through a landscape rich with cultural and ecological significance. We had talked, sharing perspectives and knowledge across cultures and disciplines. We had learned about Indigenous culture, bird habitats, and conservation efforts. And through it all, we had shared an experience that broadened our understanding of this wonderful pocket of hilltop urban reserves.
The morning walk had provided an opportunity to see the reserves through new eyes and to consider our own roles in preserving both cultural knowledge and natural habitats for future generations.
WULN thanks Highways and Byways – Healing the Land, Healing Ourselves, Together for their support that enabled this event.
Get Involved
For those inspired to continue the journey begun during our morning walk, there are numerous ways to stay connected:
BirdLife Australia welcomes volunteer birdwatchers for their Birds on Farms project in Victoria and NSW, contact Ben Humphries at ben.humphries@birdlife.org.au to learn more. Also, record your bird sightings at birdata.birdlife.org.au, or participate in the Aussie Bird Count in October.
Watch the new BirdLife video Habitat Gardening for Birds and get your bird-friendly plants from Our Native Garden Nursery!
Duduroa Dhargal Aboriginal Corporation share news and events through their Facebook page and website at ddac.net.au.
Wodonga Urban Landcare Network Those interested in hands-on involvement at these reserves can contact Jacqui, the coordinator of the Friends of Susan Campbell & Kent McCoy Reserves, at sc-km@wodongalandcare.org.au and consider becoming a Landcare member wodongalandcare.org.au/join.
