Lurujarri Trail

Lysiphyllum cunninghamii - Jigal

Redhand has been spending some time in country in an attempt to introduce and inform people about this amazing, healing place. The whales are everywhere at the moment: jumping, arching, sprinting, dancing, showing off and really enjoying their journeys north. Turtles are abundant, the dolphins are jubilant and the other day a friend of Redhand found herself body surfing with a dugong. The season of Barrgana is here. The South-Easterlies are blowing, bringing with them the cool nights and mystical foggy mornings. Threadfin salmon are running, the mullet, catfish and dugongs are fat. The bush bees are in full production with their sugar bags, dripping with honey, mixed with thick balls of nectar. Abundance is everywhere, flowing from the generosity of the last wet season. Cockatoos are busy hatching their young, while the Jigal trees are full of flowers, which are able to contain and capture the sweetest of country’s true essence.

Redhand was given the honour recently of being invited to participate in the Lurujarri Trail this year. Lurujarri follows part of a traditional Aboriginal Song Cycle which originates from the Dreamtime Ancestral Beings. These are believed to have created the landscapes, humans, animals and the plants; all of which are interconnected by the same life spirit.

Back in the early 1980’s, Paddy Roe, the Guardian and Law keeper for this country wanted to open up this living, walking, foraging trail for everyone to enjoy and understand. He did this not only for people but for the Guardian spirits of the Jabirr Jabirr, Jukun and Ngumbarl people. Since then many people from around our nation and around the globe have participated in the annual Lurujarri trail and have walked the nine days from Broome Minyirr (Broome) to Minarriny (Coulomb Point). Country has maintained the song and all the interconnecting environments in near perfect condition and with 21 years of continued dedication of the Goolarabooloo mob have kept Country alive and strong.

Joe Roe, (grandson of Paddy) recently stated in the local Broome Advertiser, Thursday, 2nd of July “This year’s walk has added poignancy in the light of Woodside Petroleum’s decision to nominate Walmandany (James Price Point) as the preferred location for its $30billion LNG processing precinct.” “That’s our camping site right there,” he said. And right along that coast it’s been recognised by court as one big site – you can’t fiddle with it.”

So over the coming week, Redhand will bring you up-to -date information from Country with interviews, stories and everything else we see on the walking way. If you would like more information regarding Lurujarri visit the Heritage Council of Western Australian web site.