International Mountain Day is marked each year on December 11. This is one of those globally recognised events that often have an annual theme, and according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN (FAO), this year it is “Mountain solutions for a sustainable future – innovation, adaptation and youth”.

Out in central and northern Victoria, on the traditional lands of the Dja Dja Wurrung people, there are two sets of celebrations that will happen around the global day. The Dja Dja Wurrung are organising an event at Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin) on the 11th, and the folks from the Great Dividing Trail Network (who look after the trail that runs from Ballarat to Bendigo) are hosting a series of walks to different mountains between the 6th and 10th of December.

Regardless of where you are, the FAO suggests you ‘join the conversation on social media using the #MountainsMatter hashtag. Pass on key messages or take a photo of your favourite mountain and share it with us and your friends’.

And if you are living on or near Dja Dja Wurrung country, I also recommend a visit to the remnant snow gum woodlands around Mt Cole, sadly badly impacted by the Bayindeen fire of February 2024.

International Mountain Day by DJAARA December 11, 2024 9.30am-1.00pm

When: Wednesday, 11 December, 2024, 9:30am – 1:00pm
Where: Lalgambuk (Mt Franklin),
between Castlemaine and Daylesford, Hepburn Shire, Victoria

The day will include a smoking and welcome ceremony, storytelling and truth telling around the campfire, cultural activities to connect with Country including a nature walk, cultural demonstrations, sensing Country and mindfulness.

For more details: https://djadjawurrung.com.au/projects/imd/

International Mountain Day walks

There are several walking tours being led by Barry Golding for International Mountain Day exploring the cultural heritage of sacred mountains around central Victoria. These include:

6 Dec: Mount Koroocheang

7 Dec: Lyanganuk balluk (Mount Alexander)

8 Dec: Dharrung Gauwa (Mount Tarrengower)

9 Dec: Mount Greenock

10 Dec: Nyaninuk (Mount Beckwith)

All walks are free, registration required. For more info and bookings, visit: https://www.gdt.org.au/events