Indigenous Desert Alliance visits Merri Creek

The CEO of the Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA), Sam Murray, and staff member, Angela Bowman made a special visit to the Merri Creek in late May. Sam is an Indigenous woman from a remote community in Western Australia. The Alliance supports many Indigenous Desert Ranger Groups, who care for Country on their land in WA, SA, NT and Queensland.
More information here: Indigenous Desert Alliance 

The visit, arranged only the night before, centred around the Kirkdale Park/Merri Park area. Sam heard about the freeway reservation and was shown photos of the valley before restoration. She greatly appreciated the natural bushland feel today. She said that many desert rangers did not understand that city folk either cared for Country, or knew anything much about environmental restoration.

Sam was very pleased to see caring for Country in the city in a culturally sensitive way. She said that she felt she was “on Country” after we strolled through the retarding basin bush. She was appreciative of learning about the special efforts which have gone into this restoration by the community.

On explaining that Merri meant “rocky” in the local Woiwurrung language, she responded by saying that, in her language, it would be Yabu (meaning stone/rock) Creek.

Sam wrote later: “Thank you for showing me and telling me the stories of a place now that I can rest and replenish my spirit in Naarm, you have helped me to feel a connection to it now.”

It was fortunate that MCMC staff were working in the area. The photo shows us near an MCMC Ecological Restoration Team vehicle.

Sam Murray, CEO of Indigenous Desert Alliance, with Ann and Bruce McGregor in Merri Park. 
Photo by Angela Bowman