14-16 July, 2017
The group walked a 15km section of the Bundian Way, from Eden to Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach). Staying in Eden on 14 July, the group then camped at the mouth of the Nullica River on 15 July before crossing the river at Kiah and emerging at Bilgalera on the 16th of July. Before embarking on the journey, Les Kosez the former Land and Sea Country Co-ordinator with Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council, and a major driving force behind the project, gave the group a background and welcome to country:
The Bundian Way, in its current iteration is still under development, and is a long term project being driven by the Eden Land Council. It was decided, after poring over maps with the Land Council, that the group would walk an overnight section from Eden to Bilgalera (Fisheries Beach). This section of the trail is of of particular significance due to the role of whaling ceremony in bringing Aboriginal people from huge distances down the trail. Down from Kosciuszko and even further afield. This particular section is full of a rich and layered history, and an unfolding present, that is evident to those on the trail.
Les Kosez accompanied the group on the first section through the Bundian Story Trail. Interpretation panel along the trail are yet to be added, their blankness defying the rich indigenous heritage, but speaking to the brand new nature of the shared heritage pathway project and also the potential openings for new representations the trail affords. While walking around the peninsula the Eden woodchip mill was often in sight, and we crossed through Boydtown and through the huge tracts of pastoral land owned by the namesakes descendents.
Up and down hills, in and out of beaches and inlets. Lost and not lost, the group made their way around the bay. Crossing the frosty Kiah River and walking to Davidson Whaling Station to meet John Blay, whose research, walks and writing have enriched our understanding of the region and its layers of history. Along the way, the vectors of place, both large and small revealed themselves. Les spoke of the brutality and violence of dispossession, while satellites occasionally provided the guidance of a google map when our hand drawn maps had become torn by use. And finally to Bilgalera, where the story of A.Mil.gong who brought ceremony from the Victorian Alps is present in the landscape.