WWOOFing on country (a postcard from Summerfield)

Jaara elder Uncle Brien Nelson and his partner Jude Perry welcomed Zeph and I into their home last week to WWOOF.

Early on the first day we walked from our home to the bus and travelled to Woodend.

We then took a Swan Hill bound train to Eaglehawk station and had some time to wait there before being picked up by Jude.

On reaching Summerfield we came across a stand of scar trees.

Jude told us Jaara people used the bark to make canoes and

coolamons (carrying vessels) without killing the trees.

We arrive at Jude and Uncle Brien's and find a garden full of Indigenous spinach.

It was hot working in the sun and by the afternoons we needed to cool off.

Uncle Brien worked with us during the day and on one afternoon came down to life guard.

Our days were spent working around chooks, horses and dogs. We built some fences and we took some down.

During the week we shared skills, knowledges, meals and plenty of jokes.

Thank you Jude and Uncle Brien for a wonderful week.