Australia is known for its unique wildlife. We seem to have a reputation abroad, however, of being a place where danger lurks around every corner, behind every door and on every dunny seat. Everything is venomous, poisonous and dangerous, at the very least, belligerent. The difference between venomous and poisonous is a story for another day and as for belligerent, kangaroos with an ugly disposition do not make for good (or safe) company.
There are beasties that will bite you, sting you and eat you; some may even beat you (see kangaroo with an ugly disposition). The catalogue of worrisome creepy crawlies is vast; the Box Jellyfish, the Irukandji, the Blue Ringed Octopus; there’s the Eastern Brown Snake, the Coastal Taipan and the Common Death Adder. We could include Sydney Funnel Web Spiders and Cone Shells and Stonefish and still only be at the beginning of our list.
Bring on something safe I say! Bring on the Australian Honey Pot Ant. While honey ants exist the world over, normally in arid areas, here in Australia, there are two species; Melophorus bagoti, the Red Honey Ant and Camponotus inflatus, a type of Carpenter Ant that has a side gig in honey.
In a honey ant nest, a specific type of worker known as a replete, will be force fed until its abdomen distends to astronomical (for an ant) proportions. In such a state repletes are no longer mobile and remain deep in the nest acting as food storage, providing access to a honey like substance in their bodies.
Far from dangerous these ants have cultural significance to several Australian First Nations peoples and have been used for medicinal purposes in traditional practices for centuries.
They are rich in nutrients, particularly carbohydrates and sugars, providing a valuable source of energy. The stored substance can be used as a natural sweetener and a quick source of sustenance during times of scarcity or during long journeys. It can be used to soothe sore throats and alleviate coughs, ingested directly or mixed with herbal remedies. Due to its potential antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, First Nations peoples used the secretion to treat minor skin irritations such as, insect bites and rashes. These ants were also believed to ease digestive issues being used as a remedy for indigestion and stomach discomfort.
The Honey Pot Ant holds both cultural and spiritual value to Indigenous communities across Australia. Their harvesting and utilisation are often accompanied by ceremonies, songs and stories that are passed down through generations and are an essential part of cultural heritage and traditional ecological knowledge.
This week here on the Hill we celebrate NAIDOC week (admittedly a little late but such is the busyness of the calendar here at the top of Mary Street). NAIDOC Week is the annual week-long celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.
Recently the College has identified five priorities for focus in our Reconciliation Action Plan.
- Student Identity
- Truth Telling in Learning & Teaching
- Engagement with Families & Community
- Lived Spirituality
- Accountability
In this plan we as a community demonstrate our commitment to reconciliation, respect and understanding.
In a time of memes, selfies and insta posts, where we can focus on what makes us unique, different from each other, we can neglect what makes us stronger, our community. Our beliefs will divide us but our values will unite us.
Celebrating the culture and achievements of First Nations peoples allows us to identify and embrace our shared values; respect for elders, care for the land, the importance of community. These shared values can serve as a foundation for fostering a more cohesive and harmonious society.
As a Catholic community we wish for our young men a life rich in all that is good; a life nourished by our values, respect, tolerance and understanding and the wealth of culture and knowledge that comes from all peoples. Our celebration of First Nations peoples and their rich history confirms our values as a Catholic community and in this, we will be stronger, kinder and gentler; we will be Eddies.
