For the Boonwurrung people in what will become known as Melbourne, the seasons are not mapped by a calendar but by the movement of the turt (stars) and the blooming of plants.
There are six seasons.
Bullarto nye-wiiynth ( Summer - 'Plenty of Sun') is signalled by the flowering of the coast tea-tree and the late warraworrap (black wattle or blackwood) in early November.
It’s a plentiful season with abundant food: tuyang (shellfish) and gurnbak (fish), snapper, coastal plants.
The focus of activity moves towards the coast.
**Weegabil nye-wiiny (Summer - 'Old Man Sun') is around **February-March, when Wurneet (river/creek) and bungguny-eek (billabongs) dry up; murnong (yam daisy) dries up and its tubers can be collected.
Guleeny (men) travel from the coast to the inland forests, in search of game.
People burn off before leaving the coastal camps, making way for new growth, which in turn encourages the return of mammals.
This was also known as the eel season.
The long journey of the iilk (eel) out into the warreeny (ocean) begins, some trapped for food as they travel.
In good years, when the biik (land) had been cared for and the laws of Bundjil obeyed, the iilk (eel) would breed in large numbers.
In the season Gareeal - (Summer rain), the ngamaee (sun) grows tired, the baanyabeet (rain) returns.
Then **Manameet - (Autumn - 'Good') **is signalled by the arrival of baanyabeel (rain) and the days become cooler.
There is renewal of growth after lack of baany (water) during Weegabil nye-wiiny (Summer - 'Old Man Sun').
Tjaak (wattle gum), warrak (banksia), long-leaf box and silver-leaf wayut (stringybark) blossom attract goyeep goyeep (birds).
Banksias are fermented by the bagurrk (women) to produce a raw alcoholic drink.
Barraeemal (emus) begin to mate.
In the Milky Way, the barraeemal (emu) can be seen getting ready to sit on her nest.
When she is sitting right upon the Milky Way, that is the time to lay eggs.
For Beerreen - **Winter ('No more sun'), **Boonwurrung people live inland, awaiting the return of abundant resources.
Preserved game meat is an important food source at this time.
Then **Bareep (Spring) **begins when Murnong (yam daisy) and kangaroo apple come into flower.
The return of the iilk (eel) is celebrated through dances and ngargee (ceremony).