Yarra River - The Birrarung
The Yarra river got its name by mistake, with one of John Batman's surveyor recording 'Yarrow Yarrow' in his notebook, later realising this was the Kulin name for the falls, rather than the river itself. Traditionally known as the Birrarung, meaning 'rivers of mist', the river was once rich with fish, eels and birds' eggs, making it a popular meeting point for Aboriginal people. Red gum trees on the banks of the Birrarung were used to build canoes, allowing men to fish and travel down the river. For Aboriginal people of the Kulin nations, the Birrarung was a carved into the landscape by the ancestral creater, Bunjil, the wedge-tailed eagle, providing food and protection for Aboriginal groups throughout the seasons.
Similar places of importance
EY would like to acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we meet today, the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation and pay our respect to their Elders both past and present, and to emerging community leaders. We also acknowledge the important role of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within EY and in the communities we work with.
