In a land brimming with Indigenous history, the wonderful Bilya Koort Boodja in Northam, is a great spot to learn more and delve a little deeper into the Dreamtime. Translating as “River, Heart, Land” in the local Noongar language, the Bilya Koort Boodja Cultural Centre is home to a beautifully curated and very interactive museum. Sitting in Ballardong Noongar country, the cultural centre is found by the banks of the Avon River.
Before you enter the museum, you’ll be given an audio device, which can be used to scan the displays and a voiceover will explain the display in more detail.
First, you’ll sit in a room with a video welcome to country, with traditional dancers decorated in ceremonial ochre designs.
The main room of the museum focuses on the 6 Noongar seasons.
You’ll learn how the local Ballardong people used the seasons to forage and hunt for food.
You can find examples of the bush food that they ate and touch the tools that they used – like the boomerang!
The audio devices are a great learning tool for children and they can learn a traditional song and the pronunciation of Noongar words too. Just find the icons and point!
There are interactive displays for the kids, including a drawer of “touchable” items such as kangaroo furs and emu eggs.
Kids will especially like the giant touchscreen table showing the Waakal (rainbow serpent) moving down the river.
The center of the museum is dedicated to moving stories about the stolen generation.
This includes a yarning circle that features three people chatting on large TV screens. Sitting as part of the circle, you feel as if you are part of the conversation.
Afterwards, take a browse around the gift shop.
Near to the museum is a fenced playground and water play area.
Be sure to take a walk across the Avon River suspension bridge too.
Bilya Koort Boodja Cultural Centre is a thought-provoking addition to the Avon Valley region. The museum is well worth a visit, fascinating displays are so well executed and you’re sure to learn something new.
Find Bilya Koort Boodja Cultural Centre at 2 Grey Street, Northam.
Get more info on their website www.bilyakoortboodja.com
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Amanda Carlin has her own food and travel blog. Established in 2013, “The Chef, His Wife and Their Perth-fect Life” has enjoyed an exciting name change in 2021, as “The Chef’s Ex-wife” embarks on new adventures with Simply PERTHfect. Amanda loves getting out and about in Perth and WA, as well as brunching, tapas or something a little fancy in equal measures. With her son “Little Chef” in tow, Amanda always has plenty of family friendly eating options to recommend too! Be sure to check out Simply PERTHfect.
