August 1st is the beginning of the Orchid season (Guling), according to the Wurundjeri Calander, a prelude to spring when the cold weather begins to ease. The silver wattle trees (mayan) have begun their distinctive bloom, clusters of small yellow flowers heralding that a warmer sun that is on its way. Native orchids can be found throughout woodland areas of Victoria and on uncultivated grasslands. The bellow of the male koala (Gurrborra) can be heard at night calling out to females that he’s back in business. The first signs of rejuvenation and rebirth can be seen and felt everywhere.
In the past, the Wurundjeri people moved slowly towards the lower lands as temperatures rose. There, they were able to snare ducks, catch other wild fowl and, as the season went on, get eggs from the nests of all kinds of birds. Hearts of kombadik (soft tree ferns) and murnong yams comprised a major part of their diet.
Happy Guling Season!
Image: Women gathering murnong roots. Sketch by John Helder Wedge, 1835
