G'day, folks! Here we are, deep in the heart of the bush on Day 41 of the Whoop Whoop Walk About Tour, and what a day it’s been! Today, we’re delving into the age-old art of harvesting a Coolamon from a tree—without giving the tree a bad hair day or cracking the Coolamon itself. Traditionally, this is women’s business, but these days, the bush is all about shared knowledge. And why? Because if we don’t keep these traditions alive, they’ll be lost in the blink of an electronic gadget! So let’s toss aside the smartphones and tablets for a sec, and get back to nature.
Coolamons & Tradition: Saving Culture, One Tree at a TimeA Coolamon—not to be mistaken for your average bush Tupperware—is a carved wooden dish used by Aboriginal women to carry water, bush food, and even babies. Carving a Coolamon is an art, and the key is to leave the tree unharmed. This isn’t just any old bush job; it requires skill, patience, and a love for the land. We don’t want to go hacking away like we’re in some reality TV bush survival show, right?
Here’s how the pros do it:
Find the right tree: We search for a species like the Red Gum, which is perfect for this task. Not every tree is Coolamon-worthy!
Mark the spot: Once we’ve got the perfect patch of bark, we use stone tools to carefully mark the outline of the Coolamon—no power tools in sight!
Careful peeling: This is where the magic happens. The bark is gently peeled back, and—like a chef removing a cake from a tin—voila! Out comes the Coolamon. No tree tantrums, and no splinters either!
Sanding and smoothing: Once it’s free, we polish it up, ready for use. Smooth enough to carry water, bush tucker, or even a small kangaroo!
Sounds exciting, right? Well, here’s where YOU come in. If you’re visiting Echuca or Hanging Rock, why not come on board the Emelou for a trip upstream to Torrumbarry Weir? We’ll be taking you deep into the heart of the bush and giving you a hands-on (literally!) experience in traditional skills like Coolamon-making, spear throwing, and more. Plus, you’ll get to hear some cracking yarns along the way.
Why the Bush Beats Your Gadgets Any DayLet's be honest: your tablet won't teach you how to read the land, and that latest app won't help you throw a boomerang. What we’ve got out here in the bush are stories and skills passed down for thousands of years. And guess what? They’re right here for you to experience, no Wi-Fi required! We’re here to keep these traditions alive, and all you need to do is show up with a sense of adventure (and maybe some sunscreen).
So What Are You Waiting For?Don’t miss out on a tour where you’ll learn, laugh, and leave with some proper bush knowledge under your belt. Come for the Coolamons, stay for the stories, and leave with an experience that’ll last you a lifetime.
Book your adventure today!
📞 Call Avalon Karatau on 0402606481🌐 www.whoopwhoopwalkabout.com📧 admin@whoopwhoopwalkabout.com
Hashtags for your bush bragging rights:#WhoopWhoopWalkAbout #BushSkillsRevival #CoolamonCrafting #EchucaAdventures #TorrumbarryWeirWonders #LeaveNoTreeBehind #CulturalConnection #TraditionMeetsAdventure
See you in the bush, mates!
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