For the last few years I’ve had the thrill and privilege of being involved in a secret project. Secret, because it first had to get officially signed off by over a dozen different partner organisations.
On Monday it was announced, the Birrarung Valley Walk, an official 220 kilometre, 13 day journey from the sea to (near) the source of the Yarra River. Gathered on the bank with seventy or so folk who had been closely involved, it was a special moment.
Yes. A path following the Songline, recognising the extraordinary fact that beneath this city, these suburbs, lies something wonderful. In close conjunction with Wurundjeri, they are bringing forward the hidden history of the ancient, sacred path. And I couldn’t be more delighted.
It was over 23 years ago that Kate, Cinnamon, Ilan and I became pilgrims, starting by the sea, with the words Wurundjeri woman Tammy Cappochi spoke at our launch accompanying us; ‘may the spirits of the ancestors walk with you.’ This generous, insightful gift opened something in us, and our walk was full of grace, the sense of deep presence, the sense of something holy. It was the most beautiful, powerful experience of my life, and I work with what that journey taught me every single day.
I initiated my pilgrimage as an embodied act of reconciliation. My sense was that only through enacting a sustained, physically demanding journey can we get an inkling of how people lived here for most of human habitation – the whole river as home, as teacher, as guide, as ancestor. Ever since I returned from that journey I’ve been advocating for a pilgrimage path, for access for all people to the river, for protection for the more-than-human inhabitants and recognition and respect for the songline. So it was beyond meaningful for me to hear, at the project opening on the riverbank, Birrarung Valley Walk’s chair Bruce Parncutt speak about his hope that one day walking the river would become a rite of passage that all young Melburnians would do as they came of age. This too has been my exact vision. Bruce and I shared a teary moment at the end of the ceremony, knowing that soon, the path would open, and initiation by River would be a thing. Initiation into care for Country, and into respect and awe for the incredible and ongoing cultural heritage of First Nations people.
Birrarung herself is directing these proceedings, I have no doubt, and all of us are being called to honour her. She’s called in the dedication and teamwork of literally hundreds of people, including beautiful guidance from the team of Wurundjeri working closely on the Walk. Some folk have been working for Birrarung for decades (including project director Chris Chesterfield, who was with Melbourne Water when he came to the launch of our pilgrimage decades ago), and I acknowledge their tireless work.
I’m feeling hugely grateful for the chance to be a small part in this wonderful vision, and so grateful to all those who supported our walk years ago, especially Uncle Ian Hunter and Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin. As Kev and Paul said so well, and we’ve been singing together for decades now, From Little Things, Big Things Grow.
Lastly, just to make sure it’s completely clear, walking the river is a call the river makes to many – I’m just someone who had the time, privilege and persistence to make it happen before there was public access. Anyone who really knows a river knows a river wants to be known. A quote from my book: ‘I discovered this over and over again, upon calling those whose assistance we needed. Sometimes, after my spiel, there was a small silence. I’d start to feel concerned I’d asked for too much. Until a quiet voice said something like this, “I’ve always wanted to do that! I’ve been living by this river for years, and I’ve long wondered where it’s come from. It’s great you’re going …I wish I could come too.”’ Soon they can!
You can learn more about the project at https://bvw.org.au/