Mushroom Meandering In Victoria
Always Is and Always Will Be
Mushroom Meander
Frost is on the ground and low fog blankets the fields. It was a beautiful morning as I wiped the sleep from my eyes and prepared myself for a walk. We were meeting on the land of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation who are the traditional custodians of this land.
Maybe a dozen of us and our guides Jeremy Hegge and Martin Martini found ourselves on the roadside in the forest. Mushroom identification and foraging and learning from two well-versed characters was the perfect way to start this Sunday.
Everyone was in good spirits and before we all introduced ourselves, Jeremy did an acknowledgment of country.
It was appropriate and brief.
Now I need to take a step back before I get to the ugliness that took place next.
On Friday night I had gone to a screening of LUKU NGARRA-The Law Of The Land.
This beautiful doco is about the Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra, a proud and staunch and beautiful Yolngu man. Simply, the film shows how deep, complex, and wise the Yolngu people are and how important their ceremonies and understanding of life are and maybe something all people should take a look at.
Simply, they are the original culture of this land we live on and have been for over 60,000 years.
Do not ever forget that Australia was NEVER Terra Nullius, which is defined as “nobody’s land”.
This land is and always will be Aboriginal Land.
It was colonised. It was stolen.
Here is their website where you can make donations for this self-funded film. Dig Deep! Join their mailing list so you know when it is released.
https://documentaryaustralia.com.au/project/luku-ngarra/
As a matter of fact, it still is a colony. Maybe someday we can become a republic? And we do send our thoughts to the spirit that one day that Treaty will occur. Australia is one of the few Commonwealth countries that does not have this in place with their Indigenous people.
This must change.
So here we are in the magnificent forest and one individual speaks up.
“Now that you have done that you have to recognise me.”
Startled looks were a dime a dozen and our guides looked stunned and asked him what he meant by that.
“Well, I served for 15 years in the Armed Forces. I spent time in Afghanistan and many Australians have lost their lives defending this country.”
Huh?
Jeremy tried to diffuse it by saying there was no need to politicise the moment.
“You don’t understand we need to be acknowledged for what we have done for this country”, the individual continued.
This is where I spoke up and said this in an acknowledgment of country and respect for the original owners of this land. We are all Australian I noted, and we have all contributed in some way, but this is stolen land.
He said, “You are not listening to me”.
Cleary I was because I did respond to what he said. You could feel and sense his agitation and the tension amongst us in the forest.
I repeated what I said and that it had nothing to do with anything but paying respect to the custodians and original owners of the land.
“You are not listening to me”, he repeated.
He looked at me with anger and disgust and he stormed off with his partner and rode off in their jeep.
Tony Abbott, former PM of Australia, thought there should be more prayer included in ceremony. Scott Morrison, about 3 years ago, started thanking ex-servicemen and women in his acknowledgment of country.
An acknowledgment of country is done by someone who is not traditionally from a place. It’s about acknowledging the people of the land but also acknowledging the land. Politicians are to blame for corrupting what NEEDS to be said. It needs no additions.
Soldiers protect us from being invaded.
THEY DO NOT PROTECT THE LAND.
Pretty simple, except for one individual who decided to take a stance and miss a miraculous meander in the forest.
It took some time for equilibrium to return to the group. But the land brought us all back together.
Until the couple drove off and were out of sight, I could not breathe easily. My American roots, and his connection to the military, all made me think of maniacs with guns. Too much news from the homeland, but these things do enter your consciousness.
We took a few deep breaths and began our investigation of the fungi on the Bunurong Land.
If you get the opportunity to take part in one of these walks, I highly recommend Martin and Jeremy. They are a funny and engaging duo who work the forest like some people work a room.
In addition to their entertaining banter, they know fungi.
You can find them on Instagram @ Belly Of The World Mushrooms.
Go forth and spread those spores.
