Nangak Tamboree is a collaborative project restoring 10 hectares of riparian Grassy Red Gum Woodland on the Darebin Creek through Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Narrap unit cultural practice including burning.
While degraded, the critically endangered ecological community at La Trobe University retains significant flora including mature Red Gums and Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena). In addition to ecological restoration, the project is contributing to the recruitment of Indigenous women, increasing the capacity of the Narrap Unit and strengthening partnerships between the project collaborators, including the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Narrap Unit, Melbourne Water, La Trobe University and DCMC with the support of the Ross Trust.
Despite the pandemic disruption in 2021, Nangak Tamboree had a successful inaugural year. The evidence of the Narrap Unit’s care for country was shared by Uncle Dave Wandin with the local community in November 2021, including the emergence of Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena) and Chocolate Lily after a cultural burn conducted in May 2021. Two women have been recruited to the Narrap Unit since the project’s initiation, to help with its delivery and to meet the increasing demand for their services, including partnership projects with Melbourne Water and La Trobe University.
There is still much restoration required, however and we look forward to increasing burning, undertaking weed control, monitoring flora and fauna, establishing wetlands and further community engagement activities in 2022.
