New Head Man of the Wurundjeri Aboriginal clan Murrundindi visited Kambrya College in Berwick on Monday to talk about respect. From left: Principal Ian McKenzie, school captains Priyesha Naidu and Kyle Mayes, Murrundindi, Ashley Pappas and Ashleigh De Vent.By Rebecca Fraser
PEACE, harmony, respect and reconciliation.
These are the values the new senior elder of the Wurundjeri Aboriginal clan hopes to share with the community following his appointment.
On Monday Murrundindi visited Kambrya College in Berwick to speak of his new role and talk to year 10 and 11 students about these values and the need for more respect within the community.
Last month Murrundindi was named the new ngurungaeta, or head man, of the Wurundjeri Aboriginal clan of Melbourne following the death of former senior elder Jimmy ‘Juby’ Wandin at the age of 73.
Before his death, Mr Wandin officially passed his title, via a statutory declaration, onto Murrundindi who found out about the new role at his ‘uncle’s’ funeral.
This week Murrundindi said he was deeply honoured to be named the new head man.
Murrundindi said the former head man’s body had been smoked down with a sacred fungus and his spirit had been taken away with the breeze.
He said more than 1000 people of both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal descent had turned out to the Wurundjeri elder’s funeral in Healesville.
Murrundindi was the fourth-eldest member of the Wurundjeri clan and a direct descendent of William Barak, the last full-blooded Wurundjeri elder.
He said his aim was to serve his clan members wisely and maintain his work of educating all about the traditional ways of the indigenous Wurundjeri people and promote respect and racial harmony among all people.
Murrundindi said he would also serve Wurundjeri people as a ceremonial figure, as an official spokesperson and as an advisor regarding protocol and due process on behalf of his people and representing them wherever appropriate.
“I just feel so honoured and proud,” he said. “To me this feels like going past the Prime Minister.
“I feel like I have passed that level and gone to the head man.”
Murrundindi is in the process of having a traditional possum skin cloak made to wear in his new role.
He said he spent a week each year at Kambrya College talking to year eight students about respect and achievement and he felt very welcome at the Berwick school.
On Monday at a special assembly he chatted to year 10 and 11 students about one of the values he holds most dear – respect.
“There is so much respect here at this school and it is the best school I have ever taught at,” he said.
“I tell these students that they are at the prime of their lives and can achieve whatever they set their minds to.”
The Wurundjeri clan covers Berwick, Narre Warren, Hallam, Endeavour Hills and Doveton.
