Welcome to Makuru!

It’s time to wrap up, stay warm and grab an umbrella! We’re now entering the season of Makuru, the coldest and wettest time of the year coinciding with the months of June–July.

The Whadjuk people identify six seasons during the year which guided not only their movement across the land but gave an understanding for plant and animal fertility cycles and land and animal preservation. During Makuru various factors meant that people would traditionally move further inland from the coast.

Rain led to waterways and catchments filling up, allowing people to change their food from sea, estuarine and lake sources to those on lands.

In particular the ‘yongar’ (kangaroo). These grazing animals not only provided meat but ‘bookas’ (animal skin cloaks that were used to keep warm).

Makuru is also the season where you’ll see animals start pairing up. Look up in the sky and you might catch a pair of ‘wardongs’ (crows) flying—note how suspiciously quiet they become as they cease their cawing for a mate.

Flowers of blue and purple hues such as the Blueberry Lily and Purple Flags will start to emerge and blossom.

And don’t forget to keep an eye out for 'mali' (black swans) on our lakes and rivers as they prepare to nest and breed.