Walitj totem planting a source of pride for Colbung family

More than 500 rushes have been planted in the shape of a walitj, or wedge-tailed eagle, on a property near Albany.

Students from North Albany Senior High School’s Clontarf and Deadly Sista Girlz programs helped Southern Aboriginal Corporation rangers plant the rushes on Tuesday as part of the Noongar Kaartdijin school program.

Staff from South Coast Natural Resource Management, Gondwana Link, the Oyster Harbour Catchment Group and Bush Heritage Australia also lent a hand at the Redmond property.

The planting took place on the Walitj Aboriginal Corporation farm and was of special significance for the Colbung family as it took the shape of their traditional totem.

The freshly planted walitj is expected to bloom in spring with different rush varieties planted to representing the colours of the bird’s feathers.

Oscar Colbung said his family was made to feel “very proud” by the project.

“We’ve always planted plenty of trees such a bluegums along the waterways but just in straight lines, what we’ve done now is more symbolic,” he said.

“It was fantastic having Clontarf and the Sista Girlz program out there with us along with the Noongar staff.

“Everyone was really excited.”

Just over an hour was needed to plant the 520 rushes in the shape of the walitj within the property’s riparian zone.

It was the second stage of the project, with work to increase the protection of the waterway flowing to the Hay River already completed in stage one, along with 1.5ha of replanting.

Oscar Colbung said the idea for a totem planting was something picked up from another Indigenous group.

“We just thought this was a great way of putting significant landscapes on the ground relevant to the Noongar culture,” he said.

“The totem is part of our culture, our family history, and our song line so we wanted it to have its mark on the farm.”

“You can go out there at any time and see a lot of eagles — walitj — all over the place.”