Bermagui Preschool and Merrimans Lands Council have announced a weekend of talks, tours, crafts and garden activity to celebrate and enhance the recently-initiated Moodji Farm: Indigenous and Urban Agriculture Project.
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Inspired by Bruce Pascoe's book Dark Emu, this initiative principally seeks to honor, repair and reinstate the intellectual and cultural heritage of the Yuin Nation through the creation and cultivation of a bushfoods garden and Djiringanj language program.
Launched by Garden Australia'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 begin the weekend of activities the preschool has arranged a winter solstice fire ceremony prepared by Narooma High School students and the University of the Third Age.
On the Friday, June 21 the ceremony will begin at 5.30pm at Moodji Farm next to the Bermagui Preschool, with lanterns, fire-gazing and singing up to Dhinawan - the dark emu in the stars.
This event is free, but participants are asked to bring a cup, bowl and a hot soup/casserole to share.
To celebrate its recent milestones the project will bring together writer and historian Mr Pascoe, local Indigenous Australian artist Cheryl Davison and natural beekeeper Adrian Iodice on Saturday, June 22 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, Bermagui at 6pm and emceed by South East Arts' Shanna Provost, this event coincides with the launch of the highly-anticipated junior version of Mr Pascoe's book, Young Dark Emu.
It is $15 for the talk only, $25 for the talk and supper.
To end the weekend's celebration the Moodji team invites all to join Mr Pascoe and Ms Davison around the ceremonial fire on Sunday, June 23 at 10am at the Moodji Farm and learn how to make string from Indigenous Australian fibers to be used in the construction of a 30-metre bamboo trellis for the farm project.
Sunday's activities will also include the propagating of Indigenous Australian 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 and gloves.
For more information call project officer Dan Bakker on 0427 746 980 or via eatdirtpermaculture@gmail.com.
