The Wurundjeri Culture Resource Kit is currently unavailable

Thank you for your interest in this valuable resource. We are currently conducting a regular review of the kit in consultation with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and as per our usual approach have temporarily withdrawn the kit and its preview until this process is completed.

We appreciate your understanding that it is essential the kit provides the most up-to-date, accurate and appropriately sensitive treatments and understandings of the topics involved. For this reason we periodically review the facts and interpretations included in the kit, and their provenance. This can take significant time. At this time we do not have an estimated date when the kit will be available, and so ask for your patience. We know this is an important and useful resource for our region’s teachers and apologise for the inconvenience.
Nillumbik Reconciliation Group - Wurundjeri Culture Resource Kit

Overview

The Wurundjeri Culture Resource Kit is an educational treasure trove crafted by the Nillumbik Reconciliation Group, enriched by the guidance of Wurundjeri Elder Joy Murphy and Yarra Yarra Elder Dot Peters. This initiative, originally supported by a Community Grant from the Shire of Nillumbik, aims to immerse students, parents, and educators in the vibrant cultural tapestry of the Wurundjeri people of the Yarra Valley.

Origin and Purpose

Initially developed for the William Barak Short Story Competition in 2000, the kit has evolved significantly from a printed and bound resource to a a convenient and versatile CD-ROM format, to a digital download format. The updates enhance accessibility, searchability and usability, particularly for printing educational exercises and activities. The kit continues to inspire Grade 5 and 6 students in the Nillumbik Shire. Wurundjeri culture was also celebrated between 1998-2007 through the William Barak Short Story Competition, with outstanding stories published in the anthology Imagining Our History.

Content Highlights

The kit invites you on a journey through the Wurundjeri world, as if guided by a family from over 200 years ago. It covers essential aspects of their life and traditions, including:

  • The Kulin Nation: An introduction to the broader cultural context
  • Our Place in This World: The Dreaming: Insights into spiritual and cultural narratives
  • Where We Live: Exploration of traditional Wurundjeri lands
  • What We Eat: Hunting and Gathering: Understanding traditional food sources and methods
  • Our Families: From Children to Elders: Social structure and community roles
  • What We Wear: Traditional clothing and adornments
  • Festivals and Ceremonies: Celebrations and rituals
  • Bringing Things up to the Present: Connecting past traditions to contemporary Wurundjeri life
  • William Barak and Other Names of Note: Profiles of significant Wurundjeri figures
  • Middle Yarra Timelines Calendar: Historical context and timeline

Educational Features

  • Helpful Resources:
    • List of Bush Foods and Medicines: Traditional knowledge of natural resources
    • List of Weapons and Implements: Tools and their uses
    • Woiwurrung Names and Vocabulary: Language glossary
  • Glossary: Definitions and translations of bold and italicized Woiwurrung words.

Accessibility and Usability

The updated digital download format will make the kit more practical for modern educational settings. It allows for easy printing of class exercises and includes files to print a detailed board game up to A2 size. This digital format replaces the former photocopied and bound hard copy and CD-ROM versions, offering enhanced functionality for classroom use.

Audience and Relevance

Targeted primarily at children in their primary years, the kit is particularly relevant to those living in the Yarra Valley, Diamond Valley, Plenty Valley and surrounding areas, which are traditional Wurundjeri lands. However, the resource is also valuable for other regions. It provides a framework that can be adapted to reflect the unique cultural and historical context of different areas.

Engaging with the Kit

Designed as a narrative experience, the kit encourages users to imagine the Wurundjeri people’s stories from centuries past. This immersive approach enriches understanding and appreciation of their culture. For teachers, educational outcomes are listed at the end of each section to facilitate curriculum integration.

How to Access the Kit

  • Preview and Purchase: A preview of the first ten pages is available for download as a 1MB PDF file. The complete kit is available for $20 (plus $5 postage), offering a rich collection of educational content and activities.

Contributions and Acknowledgments

The kit’s creation and updates are a collaborative effort, supported by:

  • Wurundjeri Elder Joy Murphy and Yarra Yarra Elder Dot Peters for their guidance
  • Mick Woiwod for his comprehensive research,
  • Elisabeth Bromley for her text writing and preparation,
  • Robbie Greig for securing photographs and providing support material,
  • Carol Leeson for her counsel and liaison work,
  • Gaille Abud for her assistance in various supportive roles,
  • Maitreyi Ray for her contributions in preparing the Wurundjeri Board Game and supplementary activities, and for teacher education.

Special thanks to Glen Jameson and Jock McNeish for their permission to include details from the Timelines of the Middle Yarra Project.