On January 26, we acknowledge and celebrate the strength and resilience of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are committed to working with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and helping to advocate for a broader understanding of their experiences and stories.

To recognise this day of survival and mourning, we will be hosting a conversation between Yarra’s Mayor, Cr. Sophie Wade, and Mandy Nicholson, proud Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illam Wurrung woman.

We will also present a virtual ceremony to celebrate culture through dance, music, stories and language. This ceremony will feature:

• A rendition of the Wurundjeri call sung by Chenile Chandler.
• A smoking ceremony and digeridoo performance from Yorta Yorta man Jason Tamiru.
• A powerful dance by the the Murrundaya Yepengna Dance Troupe.
• A beautiful set of dance performances from Wurundjeri dance group, the Djirri Djirri dancers.

Full ceremony

Conversation between Yarra’s Mayor, Cr. Sophie Wade, and Mandy Nicholson