wawa dharrang meaning 'hello tree', is an immersive three-part cultural experience on Taungurung Country led by wawa biik guides and special guest Uncle Mick Harding - a well-established multi-disciplinary Taungurung artist specialising in wood working, sculpture, and printmaking through his business Ngarga Warendj (Dancing Wombat).

Today is a journey to understand the significant cultural value of trees.

Part 1: Enjoy a Welcome to Country at the Yea Wetlands before visiting Uncle Mick's sculptural works called 'We Scar Many Trees'. Created at many locations on Country from Tallarook to Mansfield with his two sons over a 10 month period, these works are a one-of-a-kind expression of culture using an age-old cultural practice of scarring trees, with their own designs that express their connection to Country.  Hear from the artists to learn about their works as we journey through Taungurung Country by wawa biik bus, visiting a selection of culturally significant trees with yarns, songs and a celebration of Taungurung language on the way.

Part 2: Join together in the scenic Yea Wetlands for a gourmet bush foods BBQ lunch comprising salad, dips, freshly made damper, mountain pepper sausages and a taste of kangaroo.  Vegetarian options are available.  Sample menu may include:

Lemon Myrtle and ricotta dip

Pepperberry ,chickpea and caramelized onion dip

Freshly made damper with a pepperberry and saltbush crust

Couscous salad with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers and bush tomato with native thyme,pepper berry and macadamias

Mountain pepper sausages and a taste of kangaroo.

Part 3: Enjoy a guided workshop by Uncle Mick and his sons to make stringybark rope, using fresh strands of stringybark harvested and soaked the traditional way. This is a cultural practice that has been handed down through generations of Taungurung Ancestors. Take home your new creation as a reminder of the importance of the dharrang (tree) as part of a larger intergenerational story and living cultural landscape.

This tour is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.