Each month, Friends of the Earth co-hosts a worktrip to the Wombat Forest in Central Victoria. These aim to assist DJAARA aspirations for how they manage their traditional Country. For the past year we have focused on removal of invasive species (primarily gorse and blackberries) in the test site that is managed by DJAARA, just near Leonards Hill.

This month we are doing something different. As well as continuing our weed removal, we will be joining the Guildford Big Tree project community carving session for the morning.

The Guildford Big Tree is a Biyal (Red gum) on Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) believed to be more than 530 years old.  

It is deeply significant for Dja Dja Wurrung, with its grafted branch signifying it as a marker tree.  

In February 2024 several large limbs (25 tonnes worth) of the tree broke off. This was a significant and emotional event for the local Dja Dja Wurrung community, Elders and for nearby locals.  

The Guildford Biyal (Guildford Big Tree) is the working name for a project that intends to honour this tree and its ability to bring connection, healing and an opportunity for truth telling – a way to tell Country’s story through the tree and those connected to it. 

With guidance and direction from Elder Uncle Rick Nelson, DJAARA Members and key Aboriginal community members, the fallen timber is being appropriately distributed and engaged with. This session will focus on appropriate uses for the fallen timber. It will be a great opportunity to meet Dja Dja Wurrung community members and allies who are passionate about First Nations justice.

After the morning's session we will do some work on gorse removal, so come dressed for that (closed shoes, long pants and long sleeve shirt highly recommended, plus sun hat, and water). Bring gloves and any work tools that you may have that will be useful for cutting gorse. We will also have hand tools available.