Malaami Conversations - with Aunty Bea Ballangarry.

A Malaami Project initiative, brought to you by the Centre for Ecological Learning (CEL)

Aunty Bea Ballangarry is a respected Senior Gumbaynggirr Elder and cultural knowledge holder. Through storytelling, circle work, and community action, she has spent much of her life strengthening and healing our community.

The Malaami Project takes its name from the Gumbaynggirr word meaning “to return to our origin.” It’s about deep listening to those who carry the continuity of Caring for Country, a practice 60,000 years old, and of being and knowing people like Aunty Bea, who embody both wisdom and resilience.

Together, we can learn what it means to live in better relationship with one another and with Mother Earth.

Aunty Bea often says that “who I am, what I do, and what I stand for” are all connected. By sharing her life story and inviting open, respectful dialogue, she hopes we can look honestly at the parts of our culture that cause harm and create a safe place to talk about it.

This gathering is an opportunity to listen, reflect, and contribute. Aunty Bea asks that everyone come with open hearts, love and friendship, offering stories and questions with care and respect.

As we prepare to join the conversation, we offer some questions to reflect on:

How does caring for people and Caring for Country go hand in hand?
What does it mean to look after Gumbaynggirr Country — the beautiful Miimi Waaja (Mother Earth) and the waterways where we live, play and work?
How might we look after our relationships with each other so that everyone feels included?

As Aunty Bea says, it is "all about the ‘you’ and the ‘me’ because it makes ‘we’, and we can do this together".

DETAILS:
Saturday 22 November at the Display Room in the North Coast Botanic Garden, Coffs Harbour.

Arrive at 10:30am for an 11:00am start, finishing approximately 1:30pm.

Food and drinks are available for purchase at the Leaf & Bean Cafe at the Botanic Gardens.

*All money collected from this event will go to support further Malaami events. We appreciate any extra donation on top of the registration fee.

Gumbaynggirr/First Nations people are invited to attend this event at no charge.

Anyone who is experiencing financial challenges is very welcome to join us - please contact us at info@cel.org.au for a complimentary ticket.