Bermagui Preschool and Merrimans Lands Council are proud to announce a weekend of talks, tours, crafts and garden activity to celebrate and enhance the recently initiated Moodji Farm: Indigenous & Urban Agriculture Project.
Inspired by Bruce Pascoe’s critical work, Dark Emu, this initiative principally seeks to honor, repair and reinstate the intellectual & cultural heritage of the Yuin Nation through the creation and cultivation of a bushfoods garden & Djiringanj language program.
Launched by ABC’s Costa Georgiadis last September, the Moodji (meaning ‘friend’) project also aspires to support the Bermagui community via the inception of a sustainable urban farm, agriculture education program and waste-to-resource facility.
With view to lend light to the longest night of the year and to commence the weekend of activities the preschool has arranged a Winter Solstice fire ceremony prepared by Narooma Highschool students and the local senior mentor group, The University of the Third Age. On the Friday, June 21st, the ceremony will begin at 5:30pm, with lanterns, fire-gazing and singing up to Dhinawan – the Dark Emu in the stars.
Friday’s event is free however participants are asked to bring a cup, bowl and a hot soup/casserole to share.
To celebrate its recent milestones the project has brought together Bruce Pascoe (writer & historian), Cheryl Davison (revered local Indigenous artist) & Adrian Iodice (natural bee-keeper) on Saturday June 22nd for an evening of discussion on the role of honest story-telling and caring-for-country in the nurturing of a prosperous society.
Held at the Bermagui Community Centre at 6pm and MC’d by South East Arts’ Shanna Provost, this event coincides with the launch of the highly-anticipated junior version of Bruce’s book, Young Dark Emu. $15 for talk only, $25 for talk & supper.
To end the weekend’s celebration the Moodji team invites all to join Bruce and Cheryl around the ceremonial fire on Sunday June 23rd at 10am and learn how to make string from Indigenous fibers to be used in the construction of a 30 meter bamboo trellis for the farm project.
Sunday’s activities will also include the propagating of Indigenous bushfoods, garden bed building and a tour of the project. Entry will be by donation with light refreshments provided. Participants are asked to bring a cup, hat & gloves.
For more information call project-officer, Dan Bakker on 0427 746980 or via eatdirtpermaculture@gmail.com
