When Taungrurung Baan Ganalina (Guardians of Water) expressed interest in creating a turtle yilam (home), Horseshoe Lagoon immediately came to mind.

Seed picking season is one of my favourite times of the year.  The sun is shining, you’re outside and as close to the natural world as you can be – elbow deep in a shrub, nose down in a grassland, gently harvesting seed into your bag or bucket.  My favourite collection day this year was with Tony Fitzgerald and the Biik team harvesting Water Ribbons.  Water ribbons are the best bush tucker.  I think they’re Uncle Shane’s favourite too.  The tubers are crisp and crunchy, the closest likely flavour is the water chestnu,t I think.  Even the green, swirly seeds are a nice salad garnish and oh so easy to pop in your mouth and snack on while you pick.  Wading into a billabong to harvest can be a bit intimidating.  First you push through the common reed – well above your head height and situated on the water’s edge in the boggy mud.  It rustles as you push through, eyes peeled for snakes.

The Waring (mid-Goulburn River) is defined by the many hundreds of wetlands, billabongs and lagoons that spread across its flood plain.

The Taungurung community has partnered with the Euroa Arboretum for many years and wawa biik is fortunate to access this special place for cultural education experiences.