Last spring shot for 2009 – Redfern Park

Cool

What a difference some street trees make.

Looking towards Albion Street.

Jacarandas are great this spring

Spring green

Redfern public housing area.

Nature and city office building – from Belmore Park

Spring again in Belmore Park

Back in June:

And now:

Exercising in Belmore Park

Another sign of spring

Redfern

Spring on Devonshire Street Surry Hills

East Redfern: M’s orchid 2

See also M's orchid 1.

East Redfern: M’s orchid 1

On a balcony overlooking South Dowling Street.

Gymea Lily in Moore Park beside motorway

The Poche Centre for Indigenous Health at the University of Sydney offers an interesting story about this indigenous NSW plant.

The Creation story of the Gymea lily tells of a tribal warrior, Bullana. During a violent storm, Bullana and his people were trapped in a cave by a landslide. As the fittest and strongest, only Bullana was able to escape through a narrow crevice. He was determined to do all in his power to keep his people alive.

He would hunt, fish and bring water to his tribe trapped in the cave, day after day. The physical effort and weight of responsibility were enormous. Exhaustion caused him to fall into the ravine where he broke many bones, but he persisted, trying to crawl to hunt and fish and sustain his people.

In the end the effort was too much, and those in the cave were dying. Bullana finally collapsed in his beloved valley, amongst the trees and plants. His hand reached out and grasped a small plant, and as his spirit left his body, the plant grew masses of long broad leaves and the great white flowers at the centre became red with his blood.

Like many Creation stories it is an ultimately tragic tale, but it tells of strength, courage and perseverance in the face of adversity, which are essential in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

Park in East Redfern home unit complex

Between South Dowling and Bourke Streets.

More from a warm winter day in Surry Hills

In recent years with gentrification, and enlightened local government policy, the harsh edges have been softened by private and public tree planting.

Surry Hills July 22: 3 – nature’s mosaics

Winter light 29: rather minimal

In Prince Alfred Park.

Winter light 28: Belvoir Street trees

Minimal: vapour trail Redfern Sunday morning

Such a clear sky!

Winter light 22 – Belmore Park lace

Winter light 15 – Redfern Park again