Djeran season is here now,

With Boola boola clouds, and rains 

Hey you fullas let`s make our Kwornts,

Make them safe and sound 

Moorditj moortung families busy at this time  

For our kaarl we get all the wood, for cooking, warmth and healing.

 Aunty Iris Woods

The beginning of Term 2 is always a special time of the year in our Bush programmes.  We are able to safely have our first kaarl (fire), and we make it a ceremonial event to acknowledge the centrality of the campfire in providing beauty, warmth, healing, good food and good conversation as the days become shorter and the nights grow longer and colder.  This will culminate later in the term in the season of Mooker, or Mukaroo, when we celebrate the Winter Solstice with a blazing bonfire at our Winter Festival.

The children have been gathering and sorting kaarl-boorn (firewood), digging channels to divert rainwater from our camp, and crushing balga (grass tree) resin in preparation for tool-making.  We have so far enjoyed popcorn and stewed apples cooked on the fire, with many more delicious foods to come. We have been hearing stories and yarning to learn about the nature of fire spirit and fire safety protocols.  While the weather has remained fine and the creek shallow, the Bush School children have also been keen to keep fishing for djilgies. 

A gentle reminder to parents: please make sure that on Bush Kindy/Bush School day your child is dressed suitably for the changeable weather and wet and muddy conditions.  Each child needs to have a rain jacket, a warm top, gum boots and, most importantly, a complete change of clothes.