Image: Department of Communities Director General Mike Rowe was presented with the paintings during a visit to the Department's Mandurah office.
When the Department of Communities (Communities) Director General Mike Rowe visited Communities staff on Bindjareb Country (Mandurah) late last year, he was given some beautiful artwork representing the six Noongar seasons. Mike has proudly hung the pieces in his office, with the story behind their creation making them all the more special to him.
The pieces were painted by local children in care and from within the community who took part in the Kullangah Booja Mia Program.
Aboriginal Practice Leader Barry Lawrence explained that the program was developed following the success of a cultural camp.
"In 2022 the Bindjareb district office teamed up with external agencies to recreate the cultural camps for Aboriginal young people in care and in the community, forming the Makaroo Cultural Camp.
"A part of the camp was to provide the young people the opportunity to learn about Noongar culture and dance and provide life skill opportunities. Post-camp, the Kullangah Booja Mia Program was created as a drop-in style program for children in care and community kids, giving them a weekly safe place for engagement with other young people, as well as staff from the Department of Communities and other agencies including GP Down South, Nidjalla Waagan Mia, City of Mandurah, Billy Dower Youth Centre, WAPOL, and Streetnet and ALAMBEE."
During a group discussion, the young people taking part in the program expressed that they'd like to paint the six Noongar seasons as an art therapy session. This activity was led by Barry and GP Down South staff member Ashley Dadliffe.
"Once the six pieces were completed, the group wanted to hang them in the district office for staff and community members to see their work and recognise their achievement," Barry said.
The pieces were then presented to Mike when he visited the office in November, meeting staff and joining them for some roo stew.
"As well as being vibrant, striking pieces that capture the beauty of the six seasons, there is a wonderful story behind the creation of the artwork," Mike said. "Children and young people in care were supported to connect with their culture and were provided with a safe space to connect with others.
"I love that they came up with the idea to do the paintings, and the results are amazing."
Learn more about the seasons depicted in the paintings
Birak, Bunuru and Djeran
Birak (December/January)
During this season it will bring hot weather to the community and land. The ngangk (sun) becomes hotter which will bring out the land-based animals such as emus, kangaroos, snakes, and lizards. In Noongar practices this season was to inform Noongar people of the traditions that occurred during this time.
The symbols you see on the painting represents the young men and women playing and honouring the karla (fire). The Walgul (Rainbow Serpent) tries to hold the water together by swimming through the waterways to protect areas needing to hold water throughout the country – while it waits for the wet season. The black dot trails are song lines of places in the Mandurah area where the young adolescents gather and play.
Bunuru (February/March)
During this season it brings hotter weather to the community and land. The green and white song lines tell the story of dreaming for adolescents – being taught the culture, customs and lore throughout the land as they travel to the different tribes. In Noongar practices this season was to inform children of the knowledge and rules of customs and lore. Noongar people would also use this season to prepare for cooler months of Djeran and Makaroo, using the dry materials to build strong structures for warmth and safety.
Djeran (April/May)
During this season it brings cooler winds to our community and land for a special journey. The moom-marang (wind) comes with good spirits to look after the community. In Noongar practices this season was to inform Noongar people of the traditions that occurred during this time.
The symbols you see on the painting represents the young women, young men or adult women and adult men developing into adults. The black symbols show elders, warriors and other women and men sitting on Country together during this season of adulthood – teaching them the practices. The green dots trails are song lines of places in the Bindjareb area where they gather for men and women ceremonies on sacred grounds for business and play.
As the turtles become more active in this season, they are guiding the women and men through the waterways as they embark on their adult journeys. The red hands are a symbol of the adults guiding them through adulthood. The women and men are responsible to protect, prepare, teach, guide and care for them towards the next steps to their lives.
Makaroo, Djilba and Kambarang
Makaroo (June/July)
During this season it brings the healing rain, winds, and storms to heal our community and land for a special journey. In Noongar practices this season was to inform Noongar people of the traditions that occurred during this time.
The symbols you see on the painting represents the three channels of the Bindjareb waterways. The silver symbols show the women and men sitting on Country together during this season. The light blue dot trails guide the women and men on its song lines to places in the Bindjareb area to gather for ceremonies on different scar grounds for business.
Djilba (August/September)
Djilba is a mixture of wet days with increasing numbers of clear, cold nights and pleasant warmer days.
The symbols you see on the painting represents the weitji (emu) show the birth of their young chicks as they walk on country being taught the landscape. The meeka (moon) and djinda (stars) shine bright to show our people the start of new children being born and being creative. The background colours show the stars scattered through the sky to create a beautiful spectacle. The women and men around the borders of the painting show the coming together with the children as they are born and being created on Country.
Kambarang (October/November)
Kambarang is known for its longer and dry periods. During this season it brings a warm presence to the country. In Noongar practices this season was to inform Noongar people of the traditions which occurred during this time.
The dot circle symbols you see on the painting represents the women's birth places throughout the country. The light silver dot trails are song lines between the different areas of sacred – Women's Birth Countries. This allows the gathering for ceremonies for the women to practice their customs and business. Crabs and fish show the signs of food and activity within this season, with the warm background colour representing the season in the sky with its bright elevated colours throughout the Country.
It shows the birthing journey which occurs, and the children's hands are a symbol to show their mothers they are waiting for the birth of their baby brother or sister. Their soft little hands are the reminder of the importance of our children and their roles within our families to protect and carer for their siblings.
