The four seasons that most of us follow—winter, spring, summer and autumn—were developed in the northern hemisphere and were brought to Australia by Europeans. But First Nations people across Australia have recognised seasons in different ways for thousands of years, closely tied to the rhythms and cycles of local ecosystems.

A few years ago, I was privileged to work with local Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Rick Nelson on a seasonal calendar for the Mount Alexander Shire region in central Victoria. The calendar recognises six seasons, and for each we described the cycles and changes happening in local bushlands. You can see the calendar here.

I was really excited to later hear that my friend and local performing arts teacher Thais Sansom was working with Uncle Rick on a school concert about the Dja Dja Wurrung seasonal calendar. As part of the project, Thais invited me to visit Castlemaine Primary School and talk about local ecology, and I later attended the concert. It was incredible—a celebration and honouring of Dja Dja Wurrung culture and our local plants, animals and seasons.

I sat down with Thais by Forest Creek in central Victoria to talk about the people and experiences that have inspired her work. These include being mentored by renowned naturalist and environmental educator Alan Reid, whose work on natural seasonal calendars helped inspire her teaching. She also shares the story of helping establish the Kingfisher Festival in the 1990s, celebrating the return of the Sacred Kingfisher to Merri Creek.

Thais then tells us how the school concert brought the six seasons to life through music, dance and storytelling. We discuss working with local Elders, the generosity of their teachings, and how the project has inspired children to observe and connect with the natural world.