International Mountain Day
11th December 2024
For Dja Dja Wurrung People,
our peaks are important for many reasons
We see further across Country, send signals through boort (smoke), and nestle secluded at their sides for yapenya (ceremony). Our mountains are significant in many ways. They hold murrup (spirit). They are places of gathering. They are the larni (homes) of our Ancestors, People, animals, plants and water.
Dja Dja Wurrung People have actively tended Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country) for many thousands of years. It’s impossible to separate Country from our identity and cultural practice. Caring for Country is the living essence that is shared between People and place. As we barring (journey) through Country, our peaks guide us, just as they guide gatjin (water) across Country for its plants and animals, connecting through our songs and stories to all at Country. We have passed traditional knowledge down through generations to maintain our cultural identity.
Although colonisation disrupted our Ancestors’ interaction with Djandak and way of life, we have never lost our connection with Djandak.
With colonisation, Dja Dja Wurrung People were prevented from practising Culture. Meanwhile, waves of exploitation and Western land-management practices swept Djandak – including mining, clear felling, land clearing and mismanagement.
DJAARA has a long-term vision for healthy Country, expressed in our Dhelkunya Dja Country Plan, and through our strategies: Forest Gardening, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Water and Fire.
Our strategies are generational: designed to inform policy and active management for the next 100 years. Healing Country will take time. We plant seeds today, even when we know that we will not sit beside them in the shade of those trees’. Our work is for the generations who will come after us.
Our Ancestors have told us of our beginning. It is ancient, and those stories talk of all creation through their Martinga Guli (Ancestral Spirits). On mountains, where colonial development is more limited, it is easier to hear their whispers, the language of Country. The wider community also feels this spirit that we nurture today through practising our Culture.
International Mountain Day is a day to come together as one People and connect with Country. When we are spiritually connected to Country, we can feel its tears, we can hear its voice and continue to share its stories for thousands of generations to come.
DJAARA hosted event
DJAARA look forward to inviting you to celebrate International Mountain Day with us in 2024.
Immerse yourself in Dja Dja Wurrung Culture, share in our vision of caring for Country and the importance of connecting with nature for the health and welbeing of all People.
REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO ATTEND
International Mountain Day by DJAARA
Wednesday, 11 December, 9:30am – 1:00pm
Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin),
between Castlemaine and Daylesford,
Hepburn Shire, Victoria
The day will include a smoking and welcome, storytelling and truth telling around the campfire, cultural activities to connect with Country including nature walk, cultural demonstrations, sensing Country and mindfulness.
*This event may be cancelled in the event of adverse weather conditions.
Click here to register your interest or scan the QR code and share with us what you would like to see at this event.
Getting There
For your safety, access to Lalgambuk is via bus only. Mt Franklin Road will be closed to all private vehicles including bicycles on International Mountain Day (excluding campers, special guests, and bus groups. Special arrangements can be made by contacting communications@djadjawurrung.com.au).
If you wish to attend International Mountain Day a continuous shuttle service will operate from Daylesford from 8:30am – 9:15am. Bookings are essential to ensure we have enough buses for this shuttle service. Your booking confirmation will contain further detail.
The return shuttle service will run from 12:30pm – 1:30pm.
Please ensure that you dress for the weather and bring a water bottle and a hat. Attendance is free. A sausage sizzle, tea and coffee will be available.
At all times please remember that this is a community event run by volunteers. We strive to put on a well organised and professional event but given the location, things can and will go wrong. Please be patient and courteous to others.
Other events
Our supporting partners are also holding events to acknowledge International Mountain Day.
Book launch
Six Peaks Speak: Unsettling legacies in southern Dja Dja Wurrung Country’ by Prof. Barry Golding.
Wednesday, 11 December – 2:00pm
Castlemaine Visitor Information Centre
Barry Golding’s book will be officially launched by Rodney Carter, Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO. Barry Golding recently completed the book as a State Library Victoria Fellow, assisted by Clive Willman.
The book tells the story of the many legacies associated with six mountains on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria: Gurutjanga (Mount Kooroocheang), Nyaninuk (Mount Beckworth), Mount Greenock, Dharrang Gauwa (Mount Tarrengower), Liyanganyuk banyul (Mount Alexander) and Lalgambuk (Mount Franklin).
Presentations
Community presentations by Barry Golding focussing on each nearby mountain featured in the book have been scheduled in local towns as below. No registration required and all are welcome to attend.
Friday, 6 December – 8:00pm
Gurutjanga Speaks presentation
Commercial Hotel, Kingston
Saturday 7 December – 8:00pm
Lalgambuk Speaks presentation
Paddock Room, Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre
Sunday 8 December – 2:00pm
Dharrang Gauwa Speaks presentation
Community Centre Meeting Room, Maldon
Monday, 9 December – 8:00pm
Mount Greenock Speaks presentation
Library, Maryborough Resource Centre
Tuesday, 10 December – 8:00pm
Nyaninuk Speaks presentation
Esmond Gallery, Clunes
Great Dividing Trail Association (GDTA) are hosting walks on each mountain
Bookings for each walk open two weeks before the walk and close two days beforehand. Numbers are limited and reasonable walking fitness is required. Non-GDTA members please bring $10 cash on the day to be covered by GDTA walker insurance. Registrants receive final detail information including where to meet by email on the day before the walk.
Friday, 6 December – 9:30am
Gurutjanga (Mt Kooroocheang) GDTA cultural landscapes tour & walk
Booking linkSaturday, 7 December – 9:30am
Liyanganyuk banyul (Mt Alexander) GDTA walk
Booking linkSunday, 8 December – 9:30am
Dharrang Gauwa (Mt Tarrengower) GDTA walk
Booking linkMonday, 9 December – 9:30am
Mt Greenock GDTA walk
Booking linkTuesday, 10 December – 9:30am
Nyaninuk (Mount Beckworth) GDTA walk
Booking link
UNESCO International Days
UNESCO’s International days are occasions to educate the general public on issues of concern, to mobilise political will and resources to address global problems, and to celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.
“Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation, youth and beyond” is the theme of this year’s International Mountain Day on 11 December, 2024.
Visit UNESCO’s Website
UNESCO Resources
Other UN Observances
Watch the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UNited Nations (FAO) Event on International Mountain Day 2023.
This high-level event, celebrated within COP28, featured prominent speakers and provided space for youth and Indigenous Peoples from world mountain regions to share their perspectives on addressing the interlinked crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation
Resources
We provide these resources and important documents as a learning tool. They are shared to give an insight into the goals, aspirations and knowledge of Djandak and Dja Dja Wurrung People.
This content is not to be misused or published without prior consent.
Acknowledgements
The Dja Dja Wurrung Group is indebted to the Djaara People and Dja Dja Wurrung Group Staff who generously contributed their knowledge and guidance in the development of International Mountain Day on Djandak.
We thank the Dja Dja Wurrung Group exectuve management team and boards for their ongoing support and guidance.
Special thanks also goes to our supporting partners: Professor Barry Golding, Outdoors Victoria, Great Dividing Trails Association, Federation University, Hepburn Shire Council, Mount Alexander Shire Council, and Central Godlfields Shire Council.
Artist Acknowledgement
Stephanie Taylor is a proud Dja Dja Wurrung, Yorta Yorta artist who creates art across a range of mediums including eco dying, painting, weaving, sculpture, crochet, jewellery, accessories, clothing, home decor, pots, paintings, sculptures, digital art and screen printing.
This piece of art represents International Mountain Day on Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin). Lalgambuk is known to Dja Dja Wurrung People as the home of the Barramal (Emu). The Image of the Emu sits in front of Lalgambuk. Larni barramal is the name we give the nest of the emu (the circular element with surrounding dots). The four outer images represent the surrounding terrain.
Stephanie’s art is important for connection to Culture, identity, self-worth and in the journey to healing the soul and future generations to come. She has a passion for art therapy and helping others that need healing through art. She runs workshops, sells her products online and is available for commissions.
Contact Details:
Stephanie Taylor
stephanii92_@outlook.com
0456582213
Facebook:
Stephanie’s art/craft
Instagram:
Steffybabii92art