This project arises out of Gumbaynggirr Country, its stories, songlines and relationships. It brings together Gumbaynggirr Custodians, NRM practitioners, the Jaliigirr Biodiversity Alliance and Bellinger Landcare, and the University of Newcastle, to better understand and practice the learning from this, and other stories, songs and songlines of Gumbaynggirr Country, mid-north coast NSW. Gumbaynggirr Country is the homeland of the Gumbaynggirr people, from the Clarence River in the North to the Nambucca River in the south, the Pacific Ocean in the east and the Great Dividing Range in the west. The stories and songs of this Country, such as the story of the koala, Dunggirr, and the whale, Guruuja, are more than a moral fable, they are Law/Lore, statements of more-than-human sovereignty, of legal orders and agreements, and of belonging with place. This research project, led by Aunty Shaa Smith, Uncle Bud Marshall, Neeyan Smith and Gumbaynggirr Country continues the work of Yandaarra building on the previous grant by attempting to practice what it means to live the creation time now.
Led by Uncle Bud Marshall, the Buluunggul (Mullet) Festival is celebrating its second year Saturday 6 May, 2023. The festival aims to be a welcoming day where Gumbaynggirr custodians can share connections with Country and nourish relations with Buluunggul. The Festival celebrates the sculpture of Gumbaynggirr custodian Uncle Benji unveiled at the inaugural Buluunggul Festival in 2022.