Annual all ages celebration of connection, culture and community
By Sonia Isaacs
The wonderful Bunya Dreaming event returns on Saturday, January 27, offering a family friendly day out that celebrates and honours the significance of the iconic Bunya in First Nations culture. Organisers are expecting similar crowd numbers to previous years of between 800-1000 people, with the event a unique opportunity to gather together as community, share knowledge and celebrate connections.
Featuring Bunya feasting, competitions, bushfoods, bush medicine, challenges and games, dance, ceremony, fire, yarning, workshops and more, Bunya Dreaming celebrates both the annual harvest and deep-rooted cultural significance of the Bunya Tree (Araucaria bidwillii); a species that holds great importance in local Kabi Kabi Culture.
Kabi Kabi Elder and Bunya dreaming founder, Aunty Beverly Hand, said traditionally for thousands of years, aboriginal communities had gathered around the Bunya pine to celebrate the harvest and share their connection to the physical and spiritual landscape of the region.
She said since 2007, her vision had been to create a safe, sustainable and self-sufficient event that brought a modern interpretation of the gathering back to the Sunshine Coast. She said the day was a wonderful opportunity to share experiences, culture and knowledge, build reciprocal relationships and strengthen community.
“This gathering is all about the joy of harvest, connection and inviting all people to come along and share and participate in honouring culture and country while also raising the profile of the Bunya,” Aunty Beverly said.
She said the day was for all Australians and community members to enjoy and offered an alternative way to celebrate and connect to country. Aunty Beverly said the event was proudly drug and alcohol free, that welcomed all generations and people from all walks of life.
“The day is like a big family picnic with friends and community celebrating the Bunya, sharing stories and space. We always have a number of interesting Bunya related challenges such as our popular cooking and storage challenges to participate in should people wish to have a go,” Aunty Beverly said.
The event runs from 11am until sundown at Ewan Maddock Dam, Steve Irwin Way (opposite the Big Kart Track), Landsborough. Parking available onsite, as well as at Landsborough train station with free shuttle buses to the event. Tickets are available online from Humanitix for $20 for adults, $5 for teens (aged 12-17) and children under 12 admitted for free.
