Bung Yarnda (Lake Tyers) Cultural Immersion Day at Lake Tyers Mission

Bung Yarnda is the true language name of the Lake Tyers Mission on Gunnai (Gunnai/Kurnai) Country, Gippsland Victoria. The wording Bung Yarnda will be used throughout this invitation to attend the Cultural immersion day there. Bung Yarnda has a rich history as a fishing, feasting and camping place for the Gunnai clans of East Victoria.

Originally the land of the Gunnai/Kurnai People, it became home to a diversity of the First People from all over Victoria who were forcibly removed from their homelands and Communities. Many years later, some of these same families were forced to leave the mission at Bung Yarnda and ‘assimilate’ into townships.

The People of the mission/Community have been strong and vocal in their struggle to retain their land. In 1970 this fight was rewarded with the handing back of Bung Yarnda to the People. Today a dedicated Community still call Bung Yarnda home.

About the day

Join us for a day of deep listening, truth telling, and understanding life at Bung Yarnda and across the lands and waters of the Gunnai Nation.
Led by orator and Gunnai Elder Uncle Wayne Thorpe. This is an opportunity rarely given to those who live outside of First Nations Culture to understand what the process of colonisation on a proud and deeply Cultural People means.

We are inviting those from the Philanthropic and Corporate sector to join us, as the day will include a Cultural Competency session woven in (So please bring your questions, so we can all grow Culturally). This session will be made available to the attending groups and individuals at a later date.

The cost of the day is $500 per person including morning tea refreshments and lunch. Upon your booking, event details will be sent.We recommend staying on the Friday evening in either Lakes Entrance a 30 minute drive to Bung Yarnda Community or Bairnsdale a 55 minute drive.

---------- Guided by Uncle Wayne Thorpe----------

Uncle Wayne Thorpe

Uncle Wayne Thorpe is a rspected Cultural educator and Elder of the Gunnai Nation, Gippsland Victoria. From his forefathers to his oldest son are all from Gunnai Country. Uncle Wayne’s Mother’s Country is Yorta Yorta.

In 2007, Uncle Wayne received a B.A. majoring in Linguistics and Sociolinguistics in the Gunnai Language. And earned his Masters Degree through research that promotes Cultural knowledge and practices titled – “Watbalimba” – Language of Song Story and Dance. He remains dedicated to the responsibility of sharing his Cultural knowledge to the Gunnai People and those beyond who are open to learning Culture.

Funds raised from the Bung Yarnda event go to supporting the Malagunn project

Malagunn - People Returning Home to Country, is a project designed and led by Community leaders of the Gunnai Nation Victoria. The focus of the project is to support and strengthen the re-connection of Cultural identity, initially in both young and older male Community members achieved through a series of holistic Cultural immersion camps over a 12 month period. Each camp must be completed before the next level / camp, and all participants are encouraged to continue these Culturally important roll modelling practices into their daily lives.