On the International Day of the Bat, Port Macquarie Hastings Council launched new dual-language interpretation and First Nations artwork honouring the importance of native the flying fox community at Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve to the local ecosystem.
In a joint project between PMHC's environment and cultural teams, the signage includes English and the local Gathang language in which Gulanbung is translated as "place associated with many bats". It was later anglicised to Kooloonbung Creek.
Mayor Adam Roberts said the dual language signs placed in three locations at the nature reserve represented "meaningful recognition of the native flying fox species on Birpai Country".
"The importance of flying foxes to the ecology of our local ecosystem cannot be underestimated," Mayor Roberts said.
"They play an integral role in forest regeneration through pollination and seed dispersal which is invaluable to the survival of many of our endangered species, including our much-loved koalas that need all the protection we can give them.
"These flying foxes have been here far longer than us, tens of thousands of years, as indicated by the local Birpai traditional place name of Gulanbung."
Jake Simon, a Worimi-Biripi artist, was commissioned by PMHC to design a flying fox motif that he describes as being "in reverent tribute to the Birpai people and the sacred Kooloonbung Creek reserve".
"I have woven a narrative into this artwork that embodies the essence of land, sea and sky, with the central figure being the majestic flying fox," Jake said.
"Within the bat's form, delicate motifs capture the spirit of Birpai country, intricately illustrating the vibrant tapestry of their surroundings.
"This piece is a spiritual and cultural homage, reflecting the deep connection of the First Nations people to their heritage."
Byron Reynolds, a PMHC ecologist, explained that the large colony of flying foxes - which can swell to 100,000 depending on the season - combined three species, being black, grey-headed and little red flying foxes.
"From March to April, numbers can grow to more than 100,000, due to the flowering of Broadleaf Paperbark (Melaleuca quinquinervia) that the flying foxes feed on," Byron said.
"Recently we had approximately 50,000 little red flying foxes who have just left for Queensland where they birth their babies. Little Reds are incredible creatures and travel here from Queensland in search of prolific flowering events and feeding almost exclusively on nectar.
"They are like backpackers working their way up and down the eastern coast."
He added that due to Kooloonbung Creek being a sensitive environmental area, PMHC's bridge team re-purposed recycled bridge hardwood timbers that the signs have been manually mounted on. This was done instead of using concrete and is required under environmental plans.
Dual-language interpretation recognises the cultural heritage of the site and is a key action in PMHC's four-year Cultural Plan, under "Belonging".
