Gellung Warl Members gathered on Wadawurrung Country for Assembly business at Nyaal Banyul.
The week began on the shores of Cosy Corner on what is now known as Torquay where Wadawurrung sky, land and waters meet. The Members were greeted by Uncle Alby and Wadawurrung Elders who gave a Smoking Ceremony and a Welcome to Country on Warri Dja (sea country).
Members observed dances on the Ceremony Ground, including South West Member, Macaylah Johnson and Wadawurrung dancers Sarah Eccles, Tammy Gilson, Indigo Harrison.
Traditional Owner Greg Robinson recounted the history of the lands and waters including the shores of Djarrak (Bells Beach) and Kurrak Panyul (Point Impossible). At Kurrak Panyul, Members were able to view historic spear sharpening sites and deep-red coloured Ochre deposits on the side of dunes.
The Members later gathered at Nyaal Banyul where Gunditjmara Elder, Aunty Bron led a bush animal weaving workshop. Members weaved together animals such as Eel, Black Swan, Goanna and Kangaroo.
South West Member, Macaylah Johnson led a tour of Nyaal Banyul in Djilang (Geelong), where every corner connects to Country and tells a story of Wadawurrung Country — from artworks and artists to cultural artifacts, including a timeline of Wadawurrung history.
Larbargirrar gnuurtak tulkuuk – the voices, knowledge and aspirations for a better future for our peoples
Our Members had a busy and productive week on Wadawurrung Country for Assembly business.
Members gathered to share updates about Treaty across the state, speak to important matters affecting our communities and work together to progress Australia’s first Treaty.
Most significantly, Members voted to adopt the larbargirrar gnuurtak tulkuuk framework.
Larbargirrar gnuurtak tulkuuk means ‘Community reckon/count truth’ in Djab Wurrung and has been developed by and with Community. Your voices, knowledge and aspirations for a better future for our peoples in the Treaty-Era have guided and shaped every part of this work.
Larbargirrar gnuurtak tulkuuk is not new – it is part of a 10-year story. It is the story of what Community have been saying over the last 10 years to guide Treaty, and it is what was heard from Community when Members yarned with them about answerability, accountability, and what was captured.
To mark the significance of the moment, Assembly Members held a Ceremony at Nyaal Banyul officiated by Wadawurrung Elder, Uncle Alby. South West Member, Macaylah Johnson led the procession alongside the Co-convenors of the Economic Self Determination and Nation Building Committee Uncle Michael Mookeye Bell and Aunty Esme Bamblett.
Photos by Leroy Miller & Jimi Ferguson
