Anonymous 1132

Very general. The British first settled Victoria in 1803, for a short while there was civility between them and First Nations people, but not for long. I know more about the impact on the natural landscape directly than on its peoples, but of course they are linked. Most of Wurunjeri land was marsh and wetland originally, and building Melbourne city on top of it and not allowing for flooding and drainage us why we see major damage each summer.

A single unit during my university science degree, circa 2014. We learned about natural sciences discovered and used by indigenous people, their clever inventions (the eel farms) and their astronomy knowledge. It was comprehensive for its short time frame, but I do want to know much more and give similar education far more time and space in the curriculum.

As with all things, people need to see and understand how ANY new knowledge applies in their current lives in order to listen, focus and appreciate its importance. Indigenous history IS important, but I believe focussing on practical application of Indigenous knowledge and culture in a 21st century context will be the first step to greater understanding and respect.

Continued normalisation of Acknowledgement of Country, education about the land and how to care for and manage it, and acknowledging the damage colonialisation did to the land. (People tend to psychologically accept fault for damage to the land more easily than they accept their part in generational damage to other people.)

Continued normalisation of Acknowledgement of Country, education about the land and how to care for and manage it, and acknowledging the damage colonialisation did to the land. (People tend to psychologically accept fault for damage to the land more easily than they accept their part in generational damage to other people.)