This special place on Taungurung Country is where the White Bellied Sea Eagle calls home

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Tahbilk Winery Estate is well known for its wine but this place encompasses so much more. Few would know that the Estate boasts 1,214 hectares of river flats and a biodiverse wetland habitat that is a haven for wildlife. With the land and waring (Goulburn River) at the heart of all they do, Tahbilk is serious about protecting and regenerating the land. They are proud to have been certified Net Carbon Zero by Toitu Envirocare, are Certified by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia and have revegetated 180 hectares of land using native plants. Of course the story of tabilk-tabilk (place of many waterholes in Taungurung language) connects deeply to the Taungurung story and we are proud to partner with Tahbilk to share this story through the self-guided Indigenous Flora Trail and our wawa biik guided experiences. Lachie Thomas is Tahbilk’s Environmental and Vineyard Research Analyst who has the enviable job of working amongst this beautiful ecosystem on a daily basis and is behind many of these sustainability initiatives. We yarn with Lachie about all things work, wetlands and wildlife.

bark of country

10 Taungurung words to learn before visiting Country

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Australia is home to approximately 700 First Nations languages, most of which have been displaced since colonisation. Language is a key part of cultural identity and the Taungurung community is today proudly reviving their Taungurung language. Aunty Loraine Padgham – Taungurung Elder and Chair of the Taungurung Language Group, explains more about the revitalisation of the Taungurung language and provides us with 10 key words you too can learn and speak when on Taungurung Country:

Why is it important to heal the Taungurung language?

Our language is inextricably connected to our culture, our understanding of place and time.  Embedded in our language is a story that is incomplete and needs to be reclaimed to be able to understand our ancestors, their way of life, the time in which they lived and their way of thinking.

What is the process for healing language?

Language revival of an oral language, that has not been spoken for many generations, has been a long and arduous task.  From a collection of words and phrases recorded by early colonists, clergy, government officials and others, an analysis was undertaken to ascertain the sounds and pronunciation.  These sounds were then represented by agreed community spelling principles.  With the aid of linguistic techniques, an analysis of recorded phrases was undertaken to determine the underlying grammar of forming sentences.  Many Taungurung Elders have contributed to our language reclamation to enable us to reach the point of being able to develop materials for future generations.

As a Taungurung Elder, how does it feel to speak revived Taungurung language on Country? 

Developing a rudimentary skill of speaking basic Taungurung has been challenging and at the same rewarding.  To be able to speak simple sentences and use words that have not been heard for many generations acknowledges those who came before us.  It enables us to relate more closely with our ancestors by gaining an understanding of a thinking process that is quite different to English.  It directly connects us with our country and history.

What is your hope for future of Taungurung language?

The hope is for members of community to have some understanding of the language.  To be able to use simple greeting words, know the names of some plants and animals and have a knowledge of the meanings behind placenames.  Each small step helps the community gain a greater understanding of our language.

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