The Waring (mid-Goulburn River) is defined by the many hundreds of wetlands, billabongs and lagoons that spread across its flood plain. These have formed over many thousands of years, as the living river has changed course over time, leaving depressions that fill with water when the river floods in the high flows that come in winter and spring. This water brings life to the wetlands, which provide nursery grounds for fish, and rich nesting and feeding places for countless water birds. The wetlands are also the lungs and kidneys of Waring, helping slow and filter flood waters, and retaining water in the landscape to support all life.

Taungurung people have always had a strong connection to these wetlands. They provided important places to gather, collect the many food and medicine plants, fish and hunt the game that thrive in the wetlands, and conduct ceremony. They are the lifeblood of Taungurung Biik (Country).

However, since the construction of Lake Eildon in the 20^th century to harness the flows of Waring for irrigation, natural floods are no longer able to regularly nourish the floodplain wetlands. Many wetlands have dried out, or receive unseasonal high flows in summer which upset the balance of Country. In some places billabongs remain visible only as low points in the landscape.

Taungurung have been working to heal the wetlands of Waring. In 2017, the Taungurung community came together to carry out the first Taungurung Aboriginal Waterway Assessment, which visited many of these places. A key cultural objective identified was the need to return water to Horseshoe Lagoon, near Trawool, an important cultural place. This billabong now only receives water in very high flood events, and had been dry for some years, becoming choked with weeds.

This first assessment also led to the formation of Baan Ganalina (Guardians of Water), the Taungurung water knowledge group, with the goal of allowing Taungurung elders, knowledge holders and community members to speak strongly for Baan (water) on Country.

By working with Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority and Parks Victoria, Taungurung Land and Waters Council and Baan Ganalina were able to first return water to the lagoon in 2019, through the delivery of an “environmental flow” by pumping water from Waring. Water has been delivered to the wetland regularly since then, alongside other activities to heal and care for the wetland, including planting of aquatic plants, and management of weeds. Turtles, including the endangered broadshell turtle, and a variety of water birds now thrive at the site. Food and medicine plants are returning alongside thriving wetland vegetation. Most recently, Baan Ganalina, TLaWC and the Taungurung rangers have built a floating “turtle island” that will allow turtles to build their nests away from the risk of their eggs being raided by foxes. The island was launched in late 2024 just in time for the nesting season of the Macquarie River turtle, and trail cameras have recently recorded hatchlings leaving their nests on the island.

Baan Ganalina continue to work ever more strongly to care for the wetlands of Taungurung Biik. The return of “right way water” – water at the right time, in the right amount and of the right quality – is a key priority. While Taungurung continues to advocate strongly for a change in the way the rivers are managed so that Waring can increasingly flow the right way, this is a long journey that will require significant changes in how people live and make their living on the river. But there are things that can be done now, to pave the way. Baan Ganalina is currently working on restoring right way flows to Molesworth Billabongs, also on Waring, as part of a project with the Victorian Environmental Water Holder. Taungurung Land and Waters Council has also led the development of a Corop Cultural Waterscape program, which is looking at how the Corop wetlands – a cluster of wetlands near Rochester – can be cared for in a holistic way that takes into account cultural knowledge and values, while collaborating closely with government agencies and the wider community. This program has now been launched, with support from the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action and other government departments and agencies. A key aspect of this program will be to find solutions to complex land and water management challenges by working closely together with present day local communities to understand their needs and perspectives, and will provide many opportunities to connect to the practical work of caring for Country at important places within the waterscape.

The road to heal the rivers and wetlands of Taungurung Biik is a long one, but the first steps are already being taken. Taungurung invite all who care for Country to join them in walking this long road together. If you’d like to learn first-hand about Taungurung cultural connections to water Country, you can participate in a wawa Nagambie experience, led by Taungurung guides. This experience visits Reedy Lake, near Nagambie and part of the Corop waterscape, and nearby tabilk tabilk wetlands, on Waring. More information can be found at www.wawabiik.com.au.   If you are keen to get involved in any future Taungurung-led caring for Corop activities or wawa biik experiences in this area, please register your interest at hello@wawabiik.com.au.

Author: Voytek Lapinski – Cultural Water Program Manager, Taungurung Land and Waters Council