That deep history and the Ngargee tree’s ongoing cultural significance as a meeting place was recorded by the Federal Court on Friday as part of a preservation of evidence hearing in the ongoing Boonwurrung Native Title claim that stretches from Werribee,across Port Phillip Bay and down to the tip of the Mornington Peninsula.
The hearing is the first of its kind to be held on Country in Melbourne and is a test case for major capital cities regarding the survival of Aboriginal traditional culture and heritage into the 21st century.
Yaluk-ut Weelam and Boon Wurrung elder,N’arweet Carolyn Briggs AM,provided evidence to the court,following four days of hearings over the past week at Point Nepean,on the Mornington Peninsula,presided over by Justice Bernard Murphy. N’arweet is a title given to a Boon Wurrung leader.
“The tree has extensive cultural heritage value,it’s a very significant red gum,” N’arweet Briggs said. “It’s significant as a ceremonial tree,and also because it has survived. It’s also significant because whitefullas have mobilised to protect and keep it.”
Briggs,who collects the seeds of the Ngargee tree to propagate and plant on the nearbyYalukit Willam Ngargee Reserve revegetation project in Elwood,says the tree provides proof of enduring connection to culture and Country,as well a standing as a symbol of a shared history between First People’s and the non-indigenous community.
N’arweet Briggs’ son,Jason Briggs,said providing the evidence to the court was also a tribute to his Uncle Fred Briggs,who was an important custodian of Boonwurrung culture,before passing that knowledge to his younger siblings.