Council celebrates Reconciliation Week with immersive Taungurung cultural experience

Several residents enjoyed wawa Euroa, a wawa biik Taungurung Cultural Experience at the Euroa Arboretum in honour of Reconciliation Week.

wawa biik offers Taungurung-led cultural experiences across diverse biocultural landscapes of Taungurung Country. ‘wawa biik’ means ‘hello country’ in Taungurung language – both a recognition of the deep importance of Country to all Taungurung People and a warm invitation to the wider community to say hello to Country. wawa biik is owned and operated by the Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC)

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks attended the tour and said the experienced allowed her to immerse herself in the Taungurung story.

“The Taungurung story is one of resilience and inspiration that spans thousands of years,” Cr Binks said.

“I was incredibly honoured to learn about Taungurung cultural heritage, ceremony, the impacts of colonisation on Country.

“The tour was also a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the next generation of Taungurung Culture.”

Resident Fiona Steel also took part in the experience and said it was fantastic to see the incredible partnership with the TLaWC and the Euroa Arboretum (the Arb).

“We are very lucky to have the wawa biik tours on our doorstep in Strathbogie Shire on Taungurung Country,” she said.

“The Daanak Walking trail at the Arb with written and spoken language, using the QR codes for story and connection, is great.”

“It is definitely something to send visitors to with a picnic; or book a wawa biik tour for a smoking ceremony, walk and talk, and great morning/afternoon tea.”

The wawa biik experience includes a traditional Welcome Smoking Ceremony, followed by a guided walk along the daanak trail to share stories of seasonal native plant species and their uses for food, medicine, and cultural practice.

For more information, visit https://wawabiik.com.au/