THE 2023 Bunya Dreaming gathering is set to return to the Sunshine Coast in February, bringing a modern interpretation of the iconic event to local residents and visitors. Hosted by Kabi Kabi Elder Aunty Beverly Hand, the gathering is a celebration of the significance of the Bunya pine, a species that holds an important place in the local Indigenous culture.
For thousands of years, local communities have gathered around the Bunya pine to celebrate the harvest and share their connection to the physical and spiritual landscape. Today, Bunya Dreaming offers the opportunity for modern communities to participate in this tradition and build reciprocal relationships in the spirit of reconciliation.
The event features a variety of activities, including feasting, competitions, workshops, bushfoods and medicine, dance, ceremony, and more. It is a family-friendly event, with tickets starting at $20 for adults and children under 12 admitted for free. Gates open at 11am and close at sundown.
People are encouraged to use public transportation to attend the event, which will be held at Ewen Maddock Dam on Steve Irwin Way. The event is drug and alcohol-free, and is proudly supported by Seqwater and Barung Landcare. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.barunglandcare.org.au/bunya-dreaming. With an expected sell-out, be sure to reserve your spot today to join this special celebration of the Bunya pine and the local community’s connection to their ancestral land.