By Callum Ludwig
Yarra Valley ECOSS’ popular Ngulu festival is back for a second outing in 2022, making up for lost time over the last couple of years.
The Friday 18 November event will also mark the opening of Aunty Kim Wandin’s Bunjil’s Nest creation, to be situated at ECOSS.
ECOSS community engagement, festivals, events and market coordinator Leanne Hall said it’s important to honour the Indigenous people of this land.
“We need to continue to recognise that it’s their country, continue building a strong relationship and showcase local Indigenous artists,” she said.
“Events like the Ngulu festival help to give you a bit of cultural insight and connect us to their culture and to country.”
Aunty Wandin has created a beautiful nest that sits up in the tree at ECOSS accompanying the creation story mural and soundscape installed earlier this year. Bunjil is the Ancestral Wedge-tailed Eagle and the creator of south-eastern Australia and the features and animals within it. Bunjil’s Nest has been created from the native gum leaves, sticks and branches that an eagle would use to build their nest in the area.
Ms Hall said it’s really important to help continue to develop this relationship.
“We need to honour that this was their country and that the land was never ceded. So out of respect and honour for First Nations people, it’s important to understand their culture and continue to grow reconciliation,” she said.
“Our first Ngulu Festival was in 2019, where we unveiled some signage written in Woiwurrung, the language of the Wurundjeri people, because the language itself is critically endangered.”
Aunty Kim Wandin will perform a Welcome to Country, Ganga Giri will host a Kids Indiegnous cooking demo and workshop, and Caryssa Nyalu, Fred Leone and Madi Colville-Walker will be the performing artists.
Yarra Valley ECOSS’ usual market will run alongside the event.
The event is held from 3.30pm at ECOSS (711 Old Warburton Rd, Wesburn) and tickets can be purchased here: www.events.humanitix.com/ngulu-festival-dulf011v
