Wominjeka means ‘welcome’ in the Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung languages of Melbourne and central Victoria.
The Spiritual Healing Trail in the Darebin Parklands was the conception of "Uncle Reg" (Reginald Amos Blow 1939-2012), an Aboriginal Elder. Fortunately he was able to conduct reconciliation walks before he passed away. The idea of the Trail was to unite all Australians spiritually by getting them to walk together:
"Bunjil created Darebin Creek and surrounding bushland for people to find joy and be at peace within themselves and others. The Wurundjeri clan of the Woiwurrung people have cared for this land, and enjoyed it, through many millennia. The Spiritual Healing Trail is a gift from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community as a gesture of reconciliation."
As you enter Darebin Parklands, you are embarking on a spiritual journey, into the realm of nature and possibilities, as you walk toward the gum trees, let the leaves welcome and refresh you, allow them to relieve any stress, tension and division from your mind, to encourage you to focus on the reason for your visit, so Wominjeka!
This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the ABC Wednesday meme,
and also part of the Nature Notes meme.
Calm waters ..
ReplyDeleteWe too have need of a trail like this....
ReplyDeletelooks tranquil
ReplyDeleteAre there details for the artist and artwork in the last image re Uncle Reg? Thanks in advance.
ReplyDeleteHello, Olivia,
DeleteThis is a painting that I have done and which is inspired by the Parklands and the traditional owners of the land.