Uncle Mick, Mitchil and Corey with their art - We Scar Many Trees

The back story of ”We Scar Many Trees” with the artist, Uncle Mick Harding

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Uncle Mick is a proud Taungurung Elder of the Yowong-Illam-Baluk and Nattarak Baluk clans of the Taungurung Nation and takes pride in sharing cultural narratives through his work. He describes art as a ‘rainbow of many things’, which is fitting for someone that specialises in many different mediums including wood working, sculpture, and printmaking.  He has his own family art business called Ngarga Warendj (Dancing Wombat) producing beautiful hand-made cultural items and gifts.

He likes to push the boundaries with his art practice. His most recent project called ‘We Scar Many Trees’ took an innovative approach by taking an age-old cultural practice of scarring trees and presenting it as a contemporary art form. Working alongside his sons Mitchil and Corey they expressed cultural stories within the scarred trees across the entire length of the Great Victorian Rail Trail. Uncle Mick cites this project as one of his most proud because of the opportunity to pass on cultural knowledge to his sons as part of the process.

We yarn with Uncle Mick to delve into his unique art story and find out more about his works on the recently launched Art on the Great Victorian Rail Trail.

Sammy Trist artwork at the Yea Discovery Centre

A closer look at the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre

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The Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre, in the heart of Taungurung Country is not only an accredited Visitor Information Centre but is also a multi-faceted learning experience on the importance of water resources and wetland ecology. It features interpretive displays, a gift shop, room hire and local information inside but the main drawcard is what is to be found outside. They have 32 hectares of wetlands and walking trails on their back doorstep offering recreational and educational opportunities in this unique habitat.

With strong family ties to the Yea area, Aunty Angela ten Buuren (Franklin), along with her family members have been heavily involved in the wetlands committee over many years. They are passionate about sharing the Taungurung story of this place and embedding Taungurung perspectives and culture into both the visitor experience and management of this important ecosystem on Country.

We yarn with Aunty Angela about the Taungurung aspects that visitors can engage with at the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre precinct, including the Franklin Trail, Taungurung art, Indigenous Garden, and new Taungurung art on display.

Nurturing the next generation of Taungurung leaders

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A big focus for wawa biik is creating space for our Taungurung Elders to spend time with the younger generation on Country to provide them with cultural knowledge, leadership opportunities and confidence in asserting their cultural identity.

Bobbie Pepper, a Wotjobaluk, Gunaikurnai Woman with ties to Taungurung, has a background in creating and delivering Koori Leadership programs and is proud to head up the Taungurung Youth Group called Wayilak Bayubarring (meaning youth round circle). We yarn with Bobbie about the importance of creating this fun and safe space for Taungurung youth to lead their own vision, have a voice, and stay connected with each other and their culture to drive the future that they want to see.  

A yarn with Taungurung Elder Uncle Shane

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Uncle Shane is a Taungurung Elder who is today continuing the good work of his Mum – the late Aunty Judy Monk – working hard to protect and celebrate Taungurung Culture for future generations. He’s the bearded, larger than life bloke that is always up for a laugh. You’ll find him doing cultural surveys, behind the wheel of the wawa biik bus or having a natter with the young ones. He is the all-rounder that can do anything and will do anything for his mob. Uncle Shane has worked for the Taungurung Land and Waters Council for 8 years and is now the backbone of wawa biik. He leads all the wawa biik experiences, passionately sharing his Culture and giving visitors a stronger connection to both Culture and Country. Uncle Shane loves what he does. We yarn with him to learn more about his story.  

Tours on Taungurung Country

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The Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) is developing a Cultural Experiences brand that will provide locals with the opportunity to connect with passionate Taungurung leaders and the story of the Taungurung Nation.

Ten proud Taungurung people successfully completed the first Taungurung Cultural Tour Guide Program in March 2022.

The three-week program delivered in partnership with tourism industry experts, covered the basics of managing safe and enjoyable visitor experiences and provided the guides confidence in telling their personal stories of culture.

The guides learned storytelling techniques from other guides in the industry and participated in hands-on cultural learning on Taungurungg Country. A strong focus and purpose behind their tourism experiences is the opportunity for intergenerational learning.

This program was the first step in creating a Taungurung-led culturally safe space for Taungurung youth and Elders to come together to consolidate knowledge and gain confidence in sharing stories of culture with guests.

Nagambie, with its rich cultural heritage and natural assets, will feature in one of the first tours set to launch later this year.

Taungurung guides look forward to developing relationships with the wider community across Nagambie and surrounds – connecting them more deeply with the cultural stories of the places they live and work.

Tourism is the opportunity to create a welcoming space for both Taungurung guides and guests to meet up. be themseves, have genuine conversations and celebrate the vibrancy of Taungurung hiving cułture and Country.

To stay up to date with upcoming tourism experiences, please reach out to culturalexperiences@tlawc.com.au