On Wednesday 3 June 2026, Menang, Goreng and Merningar Elders held an extraordinary event to celebrate two years’ work by Noongar people who love and care for Pallinup-Marra Country.
The Pallinup-Marra Elders Circle (PMEC) is comprised of many families, and they have just published a Healthy Country Plan called Pallinup-Marra Bilya Wangee Moort Boodja (available at https://gondwanalink.org/resources).
A big mob of people from all walks of life joined us for the day. Uncle Gordon Gray said the day “was just magic”. Photo: Carol Duncan.
Welcome to Country by Uncle Aden Eades. Photo: Carol Duncan.
Uncles Gordon Gray, Aden Eades and Eugene Eades opening the days discussion. Photo: Carol Duncan
With the support of the Gondwana Link team, the Elders Circle launched their booklet at the Boxwood Hill Sports Club to more than 150 people. Noongars from several generations spoke of the shared values and vision they hold for the river, and how they want to re-awaken the waterways and old pathways for the future of all our children and their children’s children.
“The health of the river directly affects the health of the people. The river and its creeks are the arteries and veins of the Country, sustaining all life. When the Old People walked along the river, they listened to it and knew what it needed to thrive.” (PMEC)
Aunties Florence Bolton and Eliza Eades, and Uncle Tassie Hayward talking during the panel yarn. Photo: Carol Duncan
Aunties Averil Dean and Treasy Woods having one of the many good laughs. Photo: Carol Duncan.
We then heard from guest speakers whose families had lived and farmed on the river for generations, others who studied it for decades as ecologists, and others who have restored parts of the river system. The audience was asked to participate in a question-and-answer session and also describe what it is that they love about the river, and what they can do to look after it better.
This event was not only the launch of a Healthy Country Plan, but also the beginning of the doing stage of the project. The Elder Circle will now use the relationships built and momentum gathered at the event to inspire a collaborative group of landcarers, landholders, government people, NGO’s and educators to focus on healing the river together.
The preparation of the Plan itself included input and support from UWA Albany, Awesome Aboriginal Consultancy, Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation, and the North Stirlings Pallinup Natural Resources group in Borden. The project is supported by funding from the Western Australian Government’s State NRM Program and Janet Holmes a Court, and the event was also funded by the Great Southern Development Commission.
MC Robbie Miniter with all the families involved in the Healthy Country Plan behind him. Photo: Carol Duncan.
Jessikah Woods explains her painting that describes the Healthy Country Plan in beautiful art form. Photo: Carol Duncan
Mick and Jill Moir talk about farming, working with Noongar families, floods and landcare at Chillinup. Photo: Carol Duncan.
Caroline House-Vaux shared the solid work that North Stirling Pallinup Natural Resources has been doing, including the eco-cultural education with local school kids. Photo: Carol Duncan.
Geraldine and Steve Janicke responded to questions about the current ecological health of the Pallinup River. Photo: Carol Duncan.
For further details contact Jim, jim@gondwanalink.org