“Country that we speak about like a person, sustaining our lives in every aspect - spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, and culturally.
For generations we have been calling for stronger measures to recognise, protect, and maintain all aspects of our culture and heritage.”
- naidoc.org.au
Northern Queensland is a part of the country that is strikingly unique and rich in natural resources. Unfortunately, this also means that over the last century the area has drawn interest from various industries, which has resulted in extensive pollution and the desecration of this precious part of the natural world.
What’s worse, the damage that is occurring on the ground in Northern Queensland doesn’t stop there. Run-off and sediment caused as a result of mining have drastically affected the water that flows into the sea, and in turn the Great Barrier Reef. It is now common knowledge that the Reef is in a dire state, with the United Nations UNESCO organisation urging the Australian Federal Government just days ago to list the reef as being ‘in danger’.
Greening Australia is one of three nominated charities that Life Apparel actively supports with each sale. We wanted to share with you a little about some of the excellent work that the organisation are currently doing in support of the Great Barrier Reef, including land gully and wetland restoration, working together with Traditional Owners, Indigenous Rangers and local communities. Here are some thoughts from Greening Australia around their ongoing Reef Aid project:
The future of the Great Barrier Reef and the life it supports is at risk. Every year, millions of tonnes of fine sediment flow from eroding land onto the Reef, choking fish, seagrass and coral, reducing the Reef’s ability to recover from the impacts of climate change. Exacerbating the problem is the loss of over 50% of our coastal wetlands, which help to filter excess nutrients from water before it enters the Reef lagoon.
To improve water quality, store carbon and provide habitat for species, we are working with local landholders, communities and Traditional Owner Groups across the Reef catchments to restore wetlands, revegetate landscapes and rebuild eroding gullies.
- Greening Australia
One of the collaborating artists of our 2021 Heal Country! collection, Glenda McCulloch, a a Kalkadoon woman from Mount Isa, living and working in northern Queensland created an artwork entitled Protect Country which was inspired by the artist’s passion for protecting the unique land - Kalkadoon Country - that she and her family call home.
“Country is our connection to our home, to our family and to our stories. This is why we must protect it. The land provides us with all we need: our traditional food, medicine and shelter. It's our connection to our people, grounding and centring us when we feel lost. The land and the people are one, without the land, we are nothing. It's our home, it's who we are.”
- Glenda McColluch
Life Apparel is proud to support the valuable work of Greening Australia. You can learn more about Greening Australia and the wonderful work that they do here, and you can find out more about Glenda and her Protect Country collection here.
(Story cover image sourced from greeningaustralia.org.au)
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