Drouin - Robin Hood Reserve
Robin Hood Reserve is a registered Aboriginal site and was used as a gathering ground for many years by the Kurnai Brayakoloong clan.
The carpark is located beside the lovely Tarago River which forms a small pool which is a nice spot for a dip in summer. The reserve has a shelter with two seats and a bushfire memorial (the Bunyip Ridge fire impacted the Drouin West community on Black Saturday, February 7th, 2009) plus an unshaded table.
There is a short 0.3km loop walk at the reserve which features five Kurnai interpretive signs that feature Aboriginal art and interesting facts from Kurnai Brayakoloong culture. There is a seat beside the track. The narrow path through the high reeds is a dead end.
The interpretive signs are:
2. Fire Ecology
Fire is a natural part of the forest. Fire is a dramatic agent of change in an ecosystem - one we don't always like or understood.
Such a change happened here on February 7th 2009. A number of lightning strikes occurred in the Bunyip State Park starting numerous fires. Due to hot and windy conditions of the day the fire spread across the region affecting many residents and forest areas. That day is referred to as Black Saturday.
Fire is important in maintaining the health of a forest, encourages plant reproduction and returns needed minerals to the soil. Even though fire effects can be destructive, fire is a natural part of a healthy forest ecosystem. The Kurnai Brayakoloong people have used this system for many generations. In the local language this is called "towera kalack"
3. Respect the River
Traditionally the local Kurnai Brayakoloong people have been responsible for the overseeing and caretaking in these area's.
However, nowadays the Kurnai people are happy to share the responsibility for restoration and preservation of these natural areas. They have traditionally been very important places for their local community.
We are all caretakers of our public lands, responsible for preserving and restoring these natural areas. Robin Hood Reserve is a special adolescent gathering ground for the Kurnai Brayakoloong people and has been used for thousands of years as a meeting place. Please keep this area in its natural condition and help us to preserve it for our future generations to enjoy.
4. Spiny Head Mat Rush
Lomandra longifolia
Kurnai Brayakoloong women gathered the smooth strap-shaped leaves from the water's edge to make baskets. They split each rush, tied them in bundles to be soaked allowing the fibres to become pliable for weaving. Kurnai people used a combination of weirs and basketry traps for fishing.
5. Kurnai Brayakoloong Fishing
Access and use of fisheries resources and the health of country is an integral part of Aboriginal culture and linkage with the land.
For Aboriginal people, cultural values are intertwined around traditional uses, spiritual connection, ancestral ties and respect for waterways, land, sea and the resources these provide.
Aboriginal Victorians have historically utilised many fishery resources for food and trading purposes including fish, yabbies, spiny crayfish and eels. obin Hood Reserve is a Registered Aboriginal Site and the local Kurnai Brayakoloong people have been visiting and managing the Tarago River areas for thousands of years.
6. Animal Totems
Animals are very important to the Kurnai Brayakoloong people.
Each member of the Kurnai Brayakoloong community are given a totem animal at birth. That person protects and cares for that species and does not hunt them. This system is to protect species and the food source. Animals, plants and places are very important to the Kurnai Brayakoloong community.
Photos:
Location
Fisher Road, Drouin 3818 Map
