US magazine puts spotlight on WA icon

The editor of the American Natural History magazine has praised the opportunity to work with leaders from the Margaret River Region on a feature article for its September issue focussing on the local balga, or grass tree.

The respected magazine was founded by the American Museum of Natural History in 1900 to promote understanding and appreciation of nature and science.

The feature article on the balga, which is found throughout the Margaret River Region, shows that it is a plant worthy of closer attention.

Locals Stuart Hicks, Wayne Webb and Zac Webb have teamed with US botanist and scientist Dr James Aronson to discuss the plant’s fascinating biological uniqueness and the critical role it has played for tens of thousands of years of human occupation of the region.

The article combines ancient Wadandi science with modern botany as an example of Koodjal Jinnang, a Noongar term meaning ‘Looking Both Ways’.

While the balga is a familiar sight for residents, the article examines its startling appearance with fresh eyes. With its black lizard-skin ‘caudex’ or trunk, and its wild grass-like heads, the balga could be likened to some kind of ancient, almost animate life-form.

The article also educates readers on the plant’s ancient lineage, and the fact that it continues to co-exist with fire-surviving, in fact prospering, in all but highest heat bushfires.

The balga lives to be hundreds of years old and is very slow-growing, spending the first decade or two of its life with its head attached to the ground while the plant establishes its root system.

For the Wadandi people, the balga is the most important plant on Boodja (country), featuring in nearly every aspect of their lore and life.

The balga is central to the legend of human access to fire, or the story of Cowara and the Fire Magic of Balga, which is recounted in the article by Zac Webb, marking one of the first occasions the important Wadandi story has authoritatively appeared in print.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside Wayne, Zac and James to bring the balga story into focus,” said Mr Hicks, chair of the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association and lead author of the article.

“At MRBTA, in Capes Foundation, we honour the exquisite beauty of our natural world.

“Capes Foundation has an important role to play in educating both visitors and the community on the power and importance of understanding it with the help of the Wadandi people, on whose Boodja we live.”

As Wadandi elder Mr Webb writes in the article, “Take the time to sit and listen. Like the balga, your kaartdijin-your knowledge-may only grow centimetres per year. But what you learn about yourself and others on that journey will build a connection to your place and help you finally understand where you sit on Boodja.”

“An article on the unique features of balga is a story of high interest to the readers of Natural History,” the magazine’s editor, Charles Harris said.

“The magazine has covered other flora of Western Australia. The added dimension of what balga means to the Wadandi people of the region and to have two Wadandi as co-authors of the article is a rare event. Natural History is very honoured and proud to publish this piece in the September issue.”

The article “Balga: Totem and Teacher” appears in the September edition of Natural History magazine.

You can read it now at margaretriver.com/balga