Cultural Heritage

The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung have the following recommendations for the Moonee Ponds Creek:

• Restating the role of Moonee Ponds Creek within the wider landscape
• Restoring the creek corridor
• Revegetation works
• A long-term and holistic view
• Further investigation into cultural values of the Moonee Ponds Creek
• Cultural renewal and continuing cultural practices
• ACTION: WWCHAC Narrap team to be involved in development of planting list for study area from commencement.
• ACTION: Signage/interpretation strategy to be developed in partnership with WWCHAC for the whole of the catchment to ensure a holistic and coordinated

Cultural Values Review 2021, as part of the Reimagining Moonee Ponds Creek project.

First Nations Lead: Troy Pedersen, Chain of Ponds

UPDATE 12 MARCH 2025

Project: Bring Back Murnong (Yam Daisy) to the Creek!!

What’s Happening?

The “Bring Back Murnong (Yam Daisy) to the Creek!!” project is all about bringing Murnong (Yam Daisy) back to its natural home along the creek. This plant is a big deal in Aboriginal culture, providing an important food source for many mobs across Australia. As an Aboriginal man, I’m passionate about reconnecting with the land, and restoring plants like Murnong is a way to honour that cultural heritage.

The big news is that the Wurundjeri Elders are now official partners in this project through Chain of Ponds! They’re offering their knowledge and guidance to make sure we’re doing this the right way, respecting cultural practices and protocols as we go. They’ve even got a great idea to plant Chocolate Lilly alongside the Murnong, which will help bring even more life and diversity to the area.

Where We’re At

We’re still in the early stages, but we’ve made some good progress so far:

• Seed Collection & Planting: I collected seeds from Murnong plants I’ve grown at home, and I’ve carefully planted 233 seeds into pots. These pots are now safely tucked away in the Hume City Council greenhouse, where they’ll get the right conditions to start sprouting.
• Wurundjeri Elders on Board: The Elders are now official partners with Chain of Ponds, and their support has been amazing. Not only are they helping guide the project, but they also came up with the great idea of planting Chocolate Lilly along with the Murnong, which will make the area even more beautiful and ecologically diverse.

Why It Matters

Both Murnong and Chocolate Lilly are plants with deep cultural significance. Murnong has been used for centuries by Aboriginal people—its tubers were roasted or ground into flour for food. Chocolate Lilly is also really important, known for its food and medicinal uses. This project isn’t just about restoring plants; it’s about reconnecting with and revitalising traditional knowledge and practices.

The involvement of the Wurundjeri Elders ensures we’re honouring these plants and the land in the right way, with the cultural care and respect they deserve.

What We’ve Learned & Challenges So Far

Like any project, we’ve hit a few bumps along the way:

• Germination: Murnong and Chocolate Lilly seeds can take a little while to sprout, so we’re keeping a close eye on the pots to make sure the conditions are perfect.
• Timing: Getting the planting timing right is really important. We’re working with the seasons to make sure everything goes smoothly.

What’s Next?

Here’s what we’re focusing on for the next steps:

• Planting Chocolate Lilly: With the guidance of the Wurundjeri Elders, we’ll start planting Chocolate Lilly alongside Murnong, bringing both plants back to the creek.
• Transplanting Sprouts: Once the Murnong and Chocolate Lilly seedlings have sprouted and developed strong roots, we’ll carefully transplant them into the creek area where they once flourished.
• Ongoing Care: After transplanting, we’ll keep an eye on the plants to make sure they’re settling in and growing well.
• Getting the Community Involved: We’ll continue to involve the community through workshops, volunteering, and education about the cultural and ecological importance of Murnong and Chocolate Lilly.