By Melissa Sheil
VISITORS to Stirk Park shouldn’t be alarmed when they see a giant serpent slithering across the grass this Friday night – it is only the Wagyl, a 35 metre rainbow serpent, courtesy of Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences.
City of Kalamunda mayor Margaret Thomas said residents and visitors are invited to come along and see the colourful illuminated serpent as it weaves its way around the park from 6pm.
“After a topsy turvy few weeks it’s such a blessing to look forward to such a unique community event,” Cr Thomas said.
Go Cultural Aboriginal Tours and Experiences owner operator Walter McGuire said the Wagyl is recognised by Bibbulmun Noongar people as the giver of life, lore and culture and maintaining all fresh water sources.
“The Wagyl made the Bibbulmun Noongar people traditional owners of this land,” he said.
“The Wagyl dominates the earth, and the sky and makes the thunder, lightning and rain; it created the fresh waterways, the rivers, the lakes and waterholes.
“Kaarta Moorda (Darling Scarp) represents the body of the Wagyl the curves and contours of the hills and gullies, as it slithered over the land its tracks shaped the sand dunes, it scoured out the course of the rivers and occasionally it stopped to rest creating bays and lakes.”
To complement the Wagyl performance, Mr McGuire will perform a Welcome to Country and traditional smoking ceremony.
The Kalamunda Night Markets will be set up nearby to enjoy dinner and a show.