Overview
Janet Collard shares memories of her childhood, traditional Noongar practices, relationships with the land, and changes faced by her community and environment over time.
Family and Mobility
- Janet was born in Noongar country in 1934 and moved to Beverley the same year.
- Noongar people traveled by foot, carrying their belongings, to visit and connect with others.
- Walking was essential due to lack of transportation options.
Caring for Country
- Caring for country means looking after the land by not cutting down trees or leaving rubbish.
- Always keep the campsite clean and tidy before leaving.
- Mother Earth is respected and must be cared for because it supports life.
Environmental Changes and Farming Impacts
- Salt in the soil has increased over time, damaging land and water.
- Use of poison sprays and fertilizers by farmers harms water systems and kills fish.
- Damming waterways causes rivers and creeks to dry and become salty.
Traditional Knowledge and Practices
- Traditional water management included digging trenches with escape paths for animals.
- Planting more native trees like black boys (grass trees) can help restore the land.
- Black boy rushes are used for building camps and as emergency food and fire source.
Food and Resource Gathering
- Noongar people gathered honey from trees and ate ants’ sugary secretions and gum sap for sweetness.
- Rivers provided fish, crustaceans, possums, ducks, swans, and eggs for food.
- Berries, quber nuts, wild potatoes, and other bush foods were collected, especially after traditional burning.
River and Waterways
- Rivers were vital for food, water, recreation, and breaking in horses.
- Dredging and pollution have depleted river resources and reduced biodiversity.
Cultural Traditions and Community Life
- Noongar were called Walkabout people for meeting and trading with others.
- Possum and kangaroo skins were used for clothing and bedding due to scarcity of blankets.
- Cultural practices included burning grass at the right season to promote new growth.
Restrictions and Loss
- Access to land is now restricted due to private ownership and trespassing laws.
- Much bush tucker (native food) is now gone, and wildlife has been displaced by farming.
- Community size and communal life have diminished compared to the past.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Noongar — Aboriginal people of southwestern Australia.
- Caring for country — Taking responsibility for the environment and land.
- Black boy/Grass tree — A native plant used for food, building, and fire.
- Waggle — Water snake, symbolic and sacred to Noongar people.
- Younger — Kangaroo, a traditional Noongar food.
- Bush tucker — Native Australian foods gathered from the wild.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Plant more native trees (e.g., grass trees) to restore the land.
- Learn from Noongar knowledge about land and fire management.
- Respect and help protect waterways and native habitats.