Our Team
wawa biik cultural experiences are shaped by the vision of the Taungurung community. We are grateful to all Knowledge Holders, Elders, youth, artists, and staff who make invaluable contributions to wawa biik cultural experiences.
Meet your Guides
Aunty Jo
Proud Taungurung Elder Aunty Joanne Honeysett ‘Aunty Jo’ is a wawa biik guide, artist and active community leader. Aunty Jo spent a lot of time with the Wurundjeri and Bunurong communities growing up and feels fortunate to have always had Aboriginal culture in her life. Today Aunty Jo puts her energy into family, community, art and culture. As a mother of seven kids, family is a big part of her life. Aunty Jo is also a practicing mixed-medium artist, creating bold works inspired by Taungurung culture. Aunty Jo is honoured to lead visitors on Country and with warmth and compassion, creates a safe space for everyone to feel like part of her extended family; nurturing them with her infectious passion for Culture and community.
Uncle Shane
Proud Taungurung Elder Uncle Shane is a wawa biik guide, bus driver and cultural advisor. Growing up in Healesville on Wurundjeri Country, Uncle Shane was lucky to always know his mob and where he came from. His Mum, the late Taungurung Elder Aunty Judy Monk, was an inspiration for his own cultural journey and that of many others. As a professional roof plumber for 22 years, it was a bad injury and subtle encouragement from his Mum that enticed him to change career paths and come back to culture. Over the years he has spent much time caring for Country. As a respected Elder, he’s proud to share cultural insights with the Taungurung youth and broader public. He’s a keen fisherman, passionate about healing Country and is always involved with projects that support the mob. Sharing his stories with humility and humour, you’ll love your time spent on Country with Uncle Shane.
Jonah
Proud Taungurung /Wiradjuri man of the Nira-balluk clan Jonah Honeysett is a wawa biik guide, cultural heritage worker and youth leader. Jonah does great work supporting the assessment and protection of Taungurung cultural artefacts and heritage on Country. His passion for culture, learning and sharing knowledge stems from strong connections to culture cultivated at a young age. Jonah is honoured to be co-leading groups on Country alongside Elders who provide incredible learning opportunities. With a respectful, engaging, and youthful enthusiasm, a yarn with Jonah will leave you feeling inspired about our positive future.
Ash
Ashley Wilkinson is a proud Taungurung man of the Yeerum-Illiam-Balluk clan of the Benalla and Mansfield area. Ashley is immersed in his culture thanks to his family having strong connections to their cultural heritage. Ashley has learnt a lot of his knowledge from his mum and uncles, who were handed their knowledge from Ashley’s grandmother Aunty Judy Monk who was a very respected Elder not just within Taungurung but a lot of other Aboriginal communities. Ashely has a Certificate IV in Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management (ACHM), has completed the Taungurung Cultural Tour Guide training and is honoured to be able to share Taungurung stories and culture with the wider community.
Bonnie
Bonnie is the Chief Operating Officer of TLaWC and passionate wawa biik tour guide.
She has lifelong ties to Taungurung Country and the Broadford community, and more recently Nagambie and its surrounds. As a Taungurung woman, Bonnie is very proud to not only represent her mob through various engagement activities and advocacy, but to support their aspirations and build an exciting future for the entire Taungurung Nation.
Bonnie thrives off connecting with all people in the community in meaningful ways and embraces their curiosity to learn more about her story, and Taungurung history and culture.
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.
The significance of culturally modified trees
wawa biik guests huddle around a gnarly old Greybox that has a ‘scar’ present on the south-east section of its trunk. This tree is likely to have stood for hundreds of years and is the keeper of deep stories.
wawa dharrang (hello tree) – a new Taungurung artist-led experience
wawa biik is pleased to announce a new experience designed and led in collaboration with Taungurung artist and Elder Uncle Mick Harding.
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.
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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.