A Smoking Ceremony will be conducted by Wolithiga Elders to protect CFA firefighters during this year’s summer Fire Danger Period.
By Lisa Clinch
A Smoking Ceremony is one of the most significant ancient ceremonies performed by Aboriginal people. The ceremony involves the smouldering of various native plants to produce smoke, which is believed to have cleansing properties and the ability to ward off bad spirits and to open up to good spirits, or ‘Biiami’.
CFA District 20 Operations Manager Peter Taylor is proud to have partnered with the traditional elders to acknowledge the commitment of volunteer firefighters and ensure their safety over the coming months.
“CFA and the Aboriginal community share a culture of fire and this is an opportunity to show our respect to the culture and values of the local Aboriginal community,” said Mr Taylor.
The Smoking Ceremony will be held from 10am on Sunday, 12 November 2017 at Bamawm Extension Fire Station (corner Echuca West School road and Wharparilla road, Bamawm Extension).
An open invitation is extended to all members of the Bamawm Extension community and particularly those who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders, or hold a cultural link to the area.
It is anticipated that senior officers of emergency services will also attend, along with volunteers from local fire brigades.
Lunch will be hosted by the Bamawm Extension Fire Brigade. For further details or to RSVP, please contact Bryan Pickthall via email- bryela1@iinet.net.au or phone 0418 977 735 or Lisa Clinch 0439 940 235 - l.clinch@cfa.vic.gov.au