Wajin: The Guardian of Scrubby Creek

Wajin

The Guardian of Scrubby Creek

This project received funding under Logan City Council’s Logan Environment Grant - you in the Environment (Leag-UE) Program. For further information ring Logan City Council’s Planning and Environment Policy Branch on (07) 3826 5336.

Artwork by Uncle Reg Knox Co-ordination by Barry Watson Story written by Reg and Beverly Knox from ideas by students of Mabel Park State High School Drawings dedicated to Georgia A Project of Murri and Torres Strait Islander Network Inc. Additional copies available from MTSIN at PO Box 312 Woodridge QLD 4114 or by phoning (07) 3209 4220.

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Logan City has a special place called Scrubby Creek where many years ago there lived a group of Aborigines from the Turrbal tribe. Aboriginal people were the first people to inhabit the land of Australia and there were many tribes each with their own language and totems. The tribe living around Scrubby Creek adopted the platypus as their totem and they named him Wajin. This story tells how he became the guardian of Scrubby Creek.

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Early one morning all the animals awoke as Kagaru the Kookaburra laughed at the new day. The lorikeets flew through the trees screeching as they broke the morning silence. A flock of cockatoos crossed the clear blue sky as the rising sun shone over the land turning shadows into light. The local Aboriginal people arose from their sleep and started out to gather food for the coming day. The men carried spears and boomerangs to hunt for food, while the women and children set out to collect berries and fruit from the many trees.

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Suddenly a deep strong voice echoed through the bush. It was Mibunn the Sea Eagle, guardian of Scrubby Creek. “Listen,” he boomed, “in consideration, I have approached the Aborigines and requested that we could have a gathering here tonight and they have generously agreed. We shall all meet at dusk and the festivities will begin.” The animals were excited as it would be good to meet up with old friends, and as evening fell they all gathered by the creek. Among them was Borobi the Koala, Taran the Frog, Bauyum the Lizard, Gibhur the Sugar Glider, Kagaru the Kookaburra and of course the great Mibunn. Everyone was invited except Wajin the Platypus. All the animals thought he was ugly and useless. “You are made all wrong”, they shouted at Wajin. “You look funny! Your bill doesn’t match your face and your feet are all wrong, and wherever did you get that silly tail?” Their unkind words hurt Wajin and he felt lonely and unwanted. While all the animals were having fun he crept beside a big rock and longingly watched them.

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If only they understood that he had many special qualities, and that he needed his unique bill and webbed feet to swim and hunt for food. It was all too much for the little platypus so he silently slipped away to his burrow and listened as the animals departed and bedded down for the night.

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The following days saw the animals happily going about their daily lives. Everything was peaceful and there was plenty of food for everyone. They especially enjoyed having the Aborigines living with them. They has a deep respect for the bush and though they swam and fished in Scrubby Creek they always made sure that they didn’t destroy the vegetation and always took care not to leave any rubbish about the place. Everyone lived in harmony and life for all was wonderful.

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Suddenly early one morning Mibunn’s voice rang through the bush calling all the animals to a special meeting. There was an urgency in his voice, so the animals hurried as fast as they could go to find out what was wrong. When Mibunn explained the reason for his gathering the animals together they were horrfied. Since he was the guardian of Scrubby Creek and flew over large terrains of land, Mibunn was able to see everything and anything that was a danger to his animal friends and the Aboriginal people for whom he had so much respect.

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“My friends,” he said, “I have just flown over the land to the south of Scrubby Creek and I was shocked at the devastation I have just witnessed. Some different humans have settled in the area and they are not like the people we know. They wear strange clothes and their skin colour is much lighter than our friends. It is not how they look that bothers me, but rather what they have done to the land. They have cut down all the trees and set fire to scrub. They build strange buildings and turn over the soil where they have planted different vegetation. The animals and Aborigines that lived there have left as there is no longer any food left for them to eat. A sugar glider told me that they shot some of the people and set traps to catch the animals. As if this devastation isn’t enough, they intend to spread 8

out over the land which means they may move into Scrubby Creek!” The animals were shocked and terrified and when they told their Aboriginal friends everyone was in a panic. What would happen to their beloved habitat, their families?

Wajin, who was too shy to face anyone, heard everything from his hiding place behind a rock. He too was horrified and sad at what he had just heard and he tried to rack his mind looking for a solution, anything that could protect their precious homeland.

He was scared too as it seemed that these new people had no value for anything or anyone. Then thinking logically, he came to a decision. Someone from Scrubby Creek would have to approach the 9

new settlers and explain to them what would happen to everyone if they decided to expand their settlement into the creek area. They had to be made aware of how devastating their impact would be on everyone else.

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He came out of hiding and approached Mibunn and the others. “I have an idea!” he suggested. Everyone turned to look at him in amazement. “What could he have to say?” they all wondered. “Probably something useless” they surmised. Then Wajin explained his idea. “Not bad” said Mibunn, “but who would be stupid enough or brave enough to actually go to the settlers’ camp?” Everyone took a frightened step back. All except Wajin. “I’ll go, someone has to try to get through to them.”

“You?” said Mibunn warily. “Well, it doesn’t look like anyone else is going to volunteer and it is not a bad idea, but Wajin, it could be very dangerous!” “I know” replied Wajin, “ but Mibunn what will happen to us if I don’t try?”

With that the little platypus set out on his mission. He was terribly frightened but the alternative was even more terrifying. As he waddled into the settlers camp a man holding a rifle and accompanied by two children came out to meet him. “Hey, everyone” yelled the man in a loud voice which brought out more people. “Come and see this.”

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They all gathered around Wajin and oo-ed and ah-ed as they looked him over. “Is he for real?” cried one man. “I’ve never seen the like” cried another. “He is beautiful, so unique” said another. “Look at that beautiful bill, so soft and rubbery and he looks like many animals made into one!” Wajin was astounded. He never thought of himself as special. The children ventured over to stroke his fur. “Ooh, he is so soft” they squealed with delight. “What can we do for you, young fella?” the man inquired. “Well sir”, replied Wajin, “my friends and I have a problem I need to discuss with you.” With that Wajin explained about the plight of all the residents of Scrubby Creek and their dilemna should civilisation spread to the Berrinba Wetlands around Scrubby Creek. “Mmm”, thought the man out loud. “I think I see what you mean. We have never seen a platypus before and if you are any indication as to what other species of animals live in your area it would be a shame to lose them.

You are a unique little fella.” “Thank you sir” replied Wajin, “would you like to come back with me and meet everyone?” “Thank you, yes” said the man and he and his two children followed Wajin back to Scrubby Creek. When they arrived the 12

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man was amazed at the beautiful sight he saw there. The birds were chirping their best welcome song. Mibunn perched high on the branch of a large gum tree calling everyone to welcome the visitors. The Aborigines came and shook hands with the man while the children playfully jumped from rock to rock by the creek.

Just then a tiny wallaby hopped towards the children, who cried out with excitement.

“Ooh daddy, look at this darling little thing! Oh please could we have him, he is so gorgeous”. “Well,” said their father, “I don’t think you can keep him for a pet.

That would make him unhappy if he couldn’t be free.” The children became sad but then he said “However, if we leave everything as it is now, we can all come and visit Wajin and his friends. And if we try really hard to clean up our campsite and replant the trees that we have cut down, then maybe the animals will come back and we can see them all the time. Wajin here has made me see the error of our ways and I intend to put everything back the way it was and with the help of our Aboriginal friends, we will keep it that way.”

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Well, everyone let out a loud cheer. This was much better than they ever anticipated.

Mibunn flapped his great wings in pleasure. “Wajin,” he called, “come here now.’

Wajin thought he was in trouble again. “I’m coming Mibunn” he said as he approached the great eagle. “Wajin, I know I speak for everybody when I say how proud we are of you. You are not ugly and useless. You are wise and brave and we apologise for our past transgressions. I know everyone will agree with me when I say that as of this instant I name you Guardian of Scrubby Creek. You have earned this honour.

Now I can be on my way as I know this area will be left in safe hands.

Up went a loud cheer and the little platypus lowered his head in appreciation and tried very hard not to be shy. At last he was accepted and he was no longer sad and lonely Wajin now had lots of friends who truly loved him. The Aboriginal people were so pleased with the animal’s decision that they chose to adopt Wajin as their special totem and he still is today.

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Thanks to the following 2004 Students from Grade 8 and teachers Sue Jones and Julie Tabor of Mabel Park State High School for their ideas and contribution: Jessielee Aggetta Samuel Ah Wing Harriet Aken Reah Allen Melissa Anderson Suzanne Andrews Shane Avanell Aeman Barnbrook Jordon Beamsley Jaylene Berry Blake Binder Gerard Bouffare Kayla Bunyan Max Casey Daniel Chandra Nicole Cocis Jaret Cordery

Harley Coupe Joshua Davies Mohammed El Ayoubi Osman Ertan Thomas Fevaleaki Andrew Fraser Ryan Gaiger Dale Gordon Michael Green Laura Grijalva Daemonn Hamilton Jarrod Harwood Samantha Healy Leslie Henry Daniel Hooper Gordon Iosefa Alysha Johnston

Brenda Kapernick Damien Kyle Carol Larsen Wynton Lewis Casey Lucas Linda Luo Belinda Matthews Tamolina Matthews Tai McAuley Peter McPherson Keira Murray Ektemel Naaman Arron Newport Sarah Nikola Damian O’Brien Sunita Osborne Jason O’Sullivan

Stephanie Pickard August Samata Hemi Schuster Kim Scott Palemia Setema Aleisha Spriggs Zak Styles Wendy Swan Fala Swann Fabian Tera Corey Timmins Laina Toomata Quynh Truong Lisa Vailolo Jessica Vieivers Tony Williams Tiffany Wilmot