Cool burns share traditional knowledge

Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) has run a series of workshops to introduce landholders to the principles of traditional cool-burning practices, including the reasons behind it, how it's done, and the benefits.

Project manager Margaret Blackman said the well-attended workshops succeeded in creating a “transfer of knowledge” between Traditional Owners and landholders.

“We worked with partner organisations to build capacity and knowledge about how traditional burning practices are done,” Margaret said.

“Everyone grew in confidence when they saw what to do and how effective it was.

“People are apprehensive about fire, but when the participants were shown traditional cool-burning practices they lost their fear and realised that fire is not a scary thing.

“They learned how to use fire in a good way.”

One of the fire coordinators, Conway Burns, said cool burns are important because they help to heal country.

“It also helps people reconnect to country; it’s important to understanding and reading our own back yard.

“It promotes a healthier country, makes it cleaner, promotes diversity and brings back animals.”

Conway said reducing fuel load made the bush safer during dry conditions.

“It means we’re better prepared when wildfire season comes into play,” he said.

“The workshops helped landholders to understand more about firebreaks and clearing debris.

“They also built stronger relationships between landholders and Traditional Owners, so we can have more resources on the ground to help each other.”

Partners in the project were Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, Gidarjil Development Corporation, Kabi Kabi Peoples’ Aboriginal Corporation and Camp Gregory Veterans Retreat.

Speaking at the Scrub Hill workshop near Hervey Bay, Butchulla fire practitioner Darren Blake said cool burns are the proper way to heal country.

“Bringing cool burns back is a must,” he said.

“It’s important for life and property, also for the life that has six legs, four legs. Property for us is country.”

Butchulla elder and Rural Fire Service volunteer Shantel Ah Kit said at the Burrum Heads workshop that cool burns help to heal sick country.

“We’re bringing back the old way of practising burns,” she said.

“As a Rural Fire Service member, we have a different way of burning, and that’s why I brought my unit along here today, so they could see what a cool burn is for the very first time.”

BMRG plans to run more workshops in future and is developing an online hub to promote traditional practices in being fire ready.

This project received funding from the Australian Government.