wawa biik & Ngarga Warendj presents - wawa Dharrang
Duration
5 hours
Location
Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre - 2 Hood Street Yea
Operates
11th April, 12th April, 30th May 2025
Minimum Guests
8
Maximum Guests
16
Price
Adult $320, Concession $288
A wawa biik & Ngarga Warendj experience.
wawa dharrang meaning 'hello tree', is an immersive 5-hour cultural experience on Taungurung Country. The dharrang (tree) has provided resources, resilience and life to Taungurung Ancestors for millennia. Healing Country is not just about revegetating the land but is about activating cultural practices on Country for the wellbeing of Taungurung People and Country. This experience led by Taungurung artist and Elder Uncle Mick Harding celebrates the story and art of culturally modified trees - a cultural practice that is as important today as it has been for 60,000 years.
Uncle Mick is a proud Taungurung Elder of the Yowong-Illam-Baluk and Nattarak Baluk clans of the Taungurung Nation. He is a multi-disciplinary artist specialising in wood working, sculpture, and printmaking through his business Ngarga Warendj (Dancing Wombat).
His recent art project called ‘We Scar Many Trees’ involved creating a series of culturally modified trees as a sculpture trail, commissioned as part of the ‘Art on the Great Victorian Rail Trail’ which runs through the heart of Taungurung Country.
Working alongside his sons Mitchil and Corey, this project was one of his most proud as it involved passing on his cultural knowledge to his sons.
Join this personalised journey led by Uncle Mick, Mitchil and Corey, commencing at the Yea Wetlands with a Welcome Smoking Ceremony. Travel by wawa biik bus to visit three of their culturally modified trees and hear the backstory of this work including their approach, their tools and their cultural connections which guide and underpin every aspect of their art practice.
Next, we visit and spend time with a culturally modified tree that is hundreds of years old. Located in a quiet bushland reserve its beauty, grandeur and significance is a visceral experience.
Head back to Yea for a delicious bushfoods BBQ served up on daanaks (wooden food carriers) created by Uncle Mick. Tuck into meats, relishes and damper featuring vibrant bush flavours sourced from across Australia. After lunch, learn to make rope using stringybark, a traditional skill that has been passed down through the generations.
To finish, we give thanks to Country, reflecting on the respect and care that Taungurung People have for dharrang as an integral part of their living cultural landscape.
This tour is supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.
Experience details
5-hour cultural experience includes: Welcome Smoking Ceremony, travel by wawa biik bus to cultural sites, lunch, rope making class
Commences at the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre - 2 Hood Street, Yea
Toilets are available onsite
Lunch is provided – dietary requirements can be met upon request
Rope making class - all materials provided
All day carparking is available at the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre or in Yea township
For detailed accessibility information please contact us hello@wawabiik.com.au
Please bring
A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
A raincoat
Comfortable walking shoes
Reusable water bottle
Personal medications if required
Getting there
The Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre is located at 2 Hood Street, Yea
wawa biik features in a range of publications, websites and across news outlets as we highlight the Taungurung story alongside the experiences offered.
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Just like the pride and purpose our Elders feel when wrapped in their possum skin cloak, we want wawa biik to be a warm and inspiring space that brings people together to celebrate and learn about our traditional and contemporary aspects of Culture.
Introducing BIIK – actively caring for Taungurung Country
Many people who are familiar with Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC) – the recognised Aboriginal Party for the Taungurung Nation - will know that we have two businesses with similar names operating on Taungurung Country.
wawa biik congratulates the Euroa Arb on the arrival of their newest invertebrate residents.
The Taungurung community has partnered with the Euroa Arboretum for many years and wawa biik is fortunate to access this special place for cultural education experiences.
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We acknowledge and pay respects to Taungurung Ancestors and Elders, past present and emerging. We continue to remain strong in culture, traditions and memories of those who have paved the way for Taungurung People and Country. We move forward proudly and thank our Ancestors for their guidance and protection throughout our journey.
