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# wawa biik

wawa biik offers immersive, educational cultural experiences that honour and regenerate our stories and contribute to the positive future of Taungurung Culture and biik.

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://wawabiik.com.au/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [A place to grow – Taungurung's biocultural resource centre on Country.](https://wawabiik.com.au/a-place-to-grow-taungurungs-biocultural-resource-centre-on-country/) - State Government support through the BushBank program – an initiative focused on biodiversity outcomes such as seed collection, nurseries, and large-scale revegetation – has enabled Taungurung to take an important step forward on and for Country. A vision has seeded: the establishment of a Biocultural Resource Centre on Taungurung biik (Country). ‘Biocultural’ is a term
- [wawa biik Newsletters](https://wawabiik.com.au/wawa-biik-newsletter-1/) - Please click here to read the latest edition
- [Respect, relationships and the journey to Reconciliation – a yarn with tour operator Double Black Alpine.](https://wawabiik.com.au/respect-relationships-and-the-journey-to-reconciliation-a-yarn-with-tour-operator-double-black-alpine/) - Building strong relationships is essential to working respectfully with Taungurung People and progressing meaningful Reconciliation Action Plans. These relationships rely on listening, learning and contributing in ways that build trust, reciprocity and long-term positive outcomes for First Nations' communities. wawa biik is proud to align with local tourism businesses on Taungurung Country that share Taungurung
- [Keeping Culture strong on Country: The passing down of Cultural Knowledge](https://wawabiik.com.au/keeping-culture-strong-on-country-the-passing-down-of-taungurung-knowledge/) - On Taungurung Country, the making of cultural artefacts is much more than a skill — it is a way of reading, listening to, and caring for Country. The knowledge of how to gather and shape resources like daanaks (coolamons) and shields has been passed down through generations, taught by Elders and role models, and practiced
- [The significance of culturally modified trees](https://wawabiik.com.au/the-significance-of-culturally-modified-trees/) - A hush settles over the group as wawa biik guests gather beneath the towering presence of a gnarly old Greybox. Its weathered trunk bears a deep scar on the south-east side—silent but powerful evidence of an ancient story. This tree has likely stood here for centuries, holding memory in its bark and earth beneath. Uncle
- [wawa biik is set for tourism growth!](https://wawabiik.com.au/wawa-biik-is-set-for-tourism-growth/) - Big things are happening for First Peoples tourism in Victoria – and wawa biik is right at the heart of it. Last week, Steve Dimopoulos MP, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, launched the First Peoples Tourism Plan 2025–2030. This bold plan recognises the growing desire for authentic cultural experiences and the power of
- [Weaving a strong future for her grandchildren —we yarn with Anne Burns.](https://wawabiik.com.au/weaving-a-strong-future-for-her-grandchildren-we-yarn-with-anne-burns/) - Anne Burns is a proud Nira balluk woman of the Taungurung Nation. Having worked for the Taungurung Land and Waters Council in the Partnerships and Agreements team for four years, she's now also a wawa biik guide sharing her passion for Culture and Country with the broader community. Anne believes there are wonderful things that
- [The journey of Truth-telling and Treaty](https://wawabiik.com.au/the-journey-of-truth-telling-and-treaty/) - The Yoorrook Justice Commission published its final landmark report last week — a powerful and definitive account of Victoria’s history since colonisation, as told by First Peoples. This report has been an important step for truth-telling and healing that will pave the way for Treaty negotiations in Victoria. The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is
- [Finding purpose on Country: why the value of wawa biik extends beyond the tours.](https://wawabiik.com.au/finding-purpose-on-country-5-ways-your-team-will-benefit-from-a-wawa-biik-cultural-experience/) - In today’s world of work, purpose should no longer be just a buzzword — it should be a guiding principle. At wawa biik, our purpose is to nurture an inspired and connected community of First Peoples and allies that take pride in their shared custodianship of Taungurung Culture and Country. In this era of the 'Great
- [Behind the scenes of wawa biik - a yarn with Sharna](https://wawabiik.com.au/behind-the-scenes-of-wawa-biik-a-yarn-with-sharna/) - Sharna Crosbie is the Cultural Experiences Development Manager at wawa biik. Sharna is not a First Nations person but feels honoured to work alongside the Taungurung community in her role. With an extensive career in tourism development and marketing, Sharna has led the small but deadly wawa biik team, through what has been a slow
- [10 ways to take meaningful action this National Reconciliation Week](https://wawabiik.com.au/10-ways-to-take-meaningful-action-this-national-reconciliation-week/) - It doesn’t matter where you are on your ally journey, all that matters is that you’re on the journey. The 2025 National Reconciliation Week theme is 'Bridging Now to Next'. It's an opportunity for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements and take meaningful action towards creating a culturally vibrant and
- [Wading elbow deep in the wetlands](https://wawabiik.com.au/wading-elbow-deep-in-the-wetlands/) - Seed picking season is one of my favourite times of the year. The sun is shining, you’re outside and as close to the natural world as you can be – elbow deep in a shrub, nose down in a grassland, gently harvesting seed into your bag or bucket.
- [Introducing the unsung hero of the Tahbilk wetlands](https://wawabiik.com.au/introducing-the-unsung-hero-of-the-tahbilk-wetlands/) - Tucked away behind the oldest family run winery in Victoria lies a wetland eco-system that deserves a lot more attention. Tahbilk Estate Winery celebrates its 100th Anniversary in 2025 but the wetlands within the winery Estate have been around long before the first grapes were planted. Robert (Bobo) McMaster has worked at the winery for
- [A closer look at the Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre](https://wawabiik.com.au/a-closer-look-at-the-yea-wetlands-discovery-centre/) - 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
- [Teaming up for turtles on Taungurung Country](https://wawabiik.com.au/teaming-up-for-turtles-on-taungurung-country/) - When Taungrurung Baan Ganalina (Guardians of Water) expressed interest in creating a turtle yilam (home), Horseshoe Lagoon immediately came to mind. It is a wetland that holds significant cultural importance to the Taungurung people and has been receiving environmental water from the nearby Waring (Goulburn River) over the last few years to eradicate weeds and
- [Returning Right Way Water to Taungurung Country](https://wawabiik.com.au/returning-right-way-water-to-taungurung-country/) - The Waring (mid-Goulburn River) is defined by the many hundreds of wetlands, billabongs and lagoons that spread across its flood plain. These have formed over many thousands of years, as the living river has changed course over time, leaving depressions that fill with water when the river floods in the high flows that come in
- [Birds of Taungurung Country](https://wawabiik.com.au/birds-of-taungurung-country/) - Where would we be without birds? Not only do they bring happiness and joy to our lives but they provide so many benefits to our ecosystems and are crucial to our survival. Birds are great indicators of healthy Country. They respond early to any changes to habitats and can give us warning signs about impacts
- [Introducing BIIK - actively caring for Taungurung Country](https://wawabiik.com.au/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 (meaning hello Country) is the cultural experiences business offering guided tours on Country led by Taungurung guides
- [wawa biik congratulates the Euroa Arb on the arrival of their newest invertebrate residents.](https://wawabiik.com.au/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. The Strathbogie landscapes have been severely altered by colonisation. Ever since the late 1990s when the Euroa Arb started putting native plants back into the degraded soil, they have
- [This special place on Taungurung Country is where the White Bellied Sea Eagle calls home](https://wawabiik.com.au/this-special-place-on-taungurung-country-is-where-the-endangered-white-bellied-sea-eagle-calls-home/) - 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
- [Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud!](https://wawabiik.com.au/keep-the-fire-burning-blak-loud-and-proud/) - Whether you are a First Nations person or a First Nations ally, the 2024 NAIDOC theme is a call to action for us all. We share a few reflections from our Taungurung community and staff to find out what this year’s theme means to them. Solidarity and passion shows up in many forms, it is what
- [10 ways to be a Taungurung ally this National Reconciliation Week](https://wawabiik.com.au/10-ways-to-be-a-taungurung-ally-this-national-reconciliation-week/) - It doesn’t matter where you are on your ally journey, all that matters is that you’re on the journey. There are so many ways to be a great ally and it’s important to know that all First Nations communities are different and will have a different perspective on what a great ally is. National Reconciliation
- [Cultural Heritage - "It’s still here and so are we" – a yarn with Jonah](https://wawabiik.com.au/cultural-heritage-its-still-here-and-so-are-we-a-yarn-with-jonah/) - Jonah Honeysett is a proud Taungurung /Wiradjuri man of the Nira-balluk clan who considers himself lucky to have grown up knowing about his culture, immersed in his culture, and learning about his culture from his Aboriginal parents and grandparents. It’s Jonah’s strong upbringing and sense of cultural identity that has inspired him to work for his
- [What is ICIP (Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property)?](https://wawabiik.com.au/what-is-icip-indigenous-cultural-and-intellectual-property/) - Tourism is all about sharing stories and knowledge with visitors. However, when it comes to sharing cultural stories or knowledge (through tourism or art or other forms of expression), there are limitations and cultural protocols that need to be understood and respected by both Taungurung People and those engaging with the content being shared. ICIP
- [In the Media](https://wawabiik.com.au/in-the-media/) - wawa biik features in a range of publications, websites and across news outlets as we highlight the Taungurung story alongside the experiences offered. Please see below for the latest features and interviews: OVG Spring 2023 featureSpace Magazine (Herald Sun Liftout)Euroa Gazette - Euroa Wayilak review
- [What an adventure! The wawa biik team delves into the highlights of our first year of operation.](https://wawabiik.com.au/what-an-adventure-the-wawa-biik-team-delves-into-the-highlights-of-our-first-year-of-operation/) - February 2024 marks our wawa biik one year anniversary. One year on and we’ve been having a laugh about all the funny moments; thinking back to all the great yarns with our friendly guests and reflecting on the honour of being out on Country doing what we love. It’s no secret that running a successful tourism business
- [Communicating in ways that words cannot - a yarn with Hunter Callaghan](https://wawabiik.com.au/communicating-in-ways-that-words-cannot-a-yarn-with-hunter-callaghan/) - Take a closer look at the beautiful images on the wawa biik website, and below. You may notice they communicate not only the warmth and excitement of the wawa biik journey, but also hint at the pride and connection that the photographer Hunter Callaghan has to his mob and Country. Hunter belongs to the Nira-illim
- [What is yarning?](https://wawabiik.com.au/what-is-yarning/) - If you’ve been on a wawa biik experience, you would have had plenty of yarns. Yarning is more than a conversation or a story – it’s a deeply cultural way of learning, sharing and connecting. For thousands of generations the tradition of yarning has been practiced by our Taungurung Ancestors and First Nations Peoples across
- [All the ingredients for a strong partnership - a yarn with our caterer](https://wawabiik.com.au/all-the-ingredients-for-a-strong-partnership-a-yarn-with-our-caterer/) - Debbie’s melt in your mouth lemon myrtle cookies have become a much-loved staple of our wawa Euroa experience. Debbie Redding of Debbie's Delights has been baking delicious food for over 37 years but more recently has enjoyed learning and experimenting with Indigenous ingredients, including our delicious wawa biik morning teas. Deb grew up on Wurundjeri
- [wawa wayigalk (hello wattle!)](https://wawabiik.com.au/wawa-woriyp-hello-wattle/) - We are well and truly in wayigalk (wattle) season as Taungurung Country explodes with all shades of yellow this spring. Cath from the Euroa Arboretum walks us through what we'll spot over the coming months on a wawa Euroa experience.
- [A yarn with Elder and artist - Aunty Jo](https://wawabiik.com.au/a-yarn-with-elder-and-artist-aunty-jo/) - Aunty Joanne Honeysett is a proud Taungurung Elder, wawa biik Cultural Tour Guide, mother, recent grandmother and is also an accomplished artist. Having worked in challenging community roles in the past, her love of painting provided a therapeutic outlet. With an urge to share her Taungurung identity and story, her paintings have become an important Indigenous Taungurung Elder Aunty Joanne Honeysett talks about her art practice
- [Our youth rise to the occasion](https://wawabiik.com.au/youth-rise/) - After months of preparations and rehearsals, the day had arrived. It was Friday 4th of August on National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children's Day and the scene was set for what would be a momentous and proud day for the Taungurung Nation. It was the launch of Wayilak Bayubarring (Taungurung’s inaugural Youth Advisory Group)
- [A yarn with Cath Olive about 'The Arb'](https://wawabiik.com.au/a-yarn-with-cath-olive-about-the-arb/) - It is a warm January morning and the cicadas are making a racket. Cath's dog 'Indi' takes off into the wetlands, making a splash as dragonflies circle above. A grasshopper takes perch on Cath’s arm as we amble along the daanak trail yarning about all things plants, partnerships and her favourite patch.
- [Home Ground Advantage - a yarn with Bonnie](https://wawabiik.com.au/home-ground-advantage/) - Bonnie Welch (nee’ Cavanagh) is a proud Taungurung woman, descendant of John Franklin, self-confessed sports tragic and the kind of deadly person you always want on your team. Growing up, Bonnie set her sights on being either a physio for the Geelong Football Club or a Forensic Investigator. She opted for the path less travelled
- [A yarn with Taungurung Elder Uncle Shane](https://wawabiik.com.au/a-yarn-with-taungurung-elder-uncle-shane/) - 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
- [Nurturing the next generation of Taungurung leaders](https://wawabiik.com.au/nurturing-the-next-generation-of-taungurung-leaders/) - 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
- [Connection to Country - Space Magazine](https://wawabiik.com.au/connection-to-country/) - A Taungurung Elder heeds the spiritual call of her ancestral lands and takes up tour guiding to share her story and culture.
- [10 Taungurung words to learn before visiting Country](https://wawabiik.com.au/10-taungurung-words-to-learn-before-visiting-country/) - 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 back story of ''We Scar Many Trees'' with the artist, Uncle Mick Harding](https://wawabiik.com.au/the-back-story-of-we-scar-many-trees-with-the-artist-uncle-mick-harding/) - 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
- [Tours on Taungurung Country](https://wawabiik.com.au/tours-on-taungurung-country/) - 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

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## Seed

- [Sticky Everlasting](https://wawabiik.com.au/seed/sticky-everlasting/) - Upright multi-branched herb 20-60cm high with sticky green foliage and yellow papery flowers mostly in spring. A hardy wildflower found locally in dry woodlands and forests. An important species providing nectar for native butterflies and moths, and readily colonises after disturbances such as fire. Plants will reshoot yearly from the base and respond well to
- [Common Everlasting](https://wawabiik.com.au/seed/common-everlasting/) - Low growing clumping herb of woolly silvery foliage and small golden-yellow papery flowers mostly in spring. Found locally in grasslands and woodlands on well drained soils. Plant may die back in dry conditions but re-shoots after rain. Flowers provide an important nectar source for butterflies and attract insect-eating birds.
- [Clustered Everlasting](https://wawabiik.com.au/seed/clustered-everlasting/) - Upright multibranched herb to 60cm high, with aromatic grey foliage and large clusters of small yellow papery flowers mainly in spring. Locally found on drier sites in grasslands, woodlands and foothills. Plant may die back in dry conditions but re-shoots after rain. Flowers provide an important nectar source for butterflies and attract insect-eating birds.
- [Hoary Sunray](https://wawabiik.com.au/seed/hoary-sunray/) - Tufted herb with woolly grey foliage and upright stalks of yellow paper daisy flowers to 40cm high mainly in spring. Found locally on Taungurung Country in woodlands and foothills commonly on shallow, rocky soils. An important pollinator species providing nectar for native butterflies and moths, and readily colonises after disturbances such as fire. Plants are