DJAARA

15/10/2026

Meanwhile, on Djaara Country... here's the latest updates from DJAARA >>

🎙️ For Djaara, healthy People and healthy water are deeply connected. Yaram Yaram Bayikina will encourage current and future generations to become stewards of the creek and, in turn, become nourished by it. Guided by Djaara water knowledge holders, the project to reawaken Bendigo Creek will also restore habitat and water quality, creating a healthier waterway.

🤝 A proud moment at Larnangurrak as Cassandra Lewis officially signed her contract as DJAARA's permanent CEO. Having served for seven years as DJAARA General Manager and, more recently, Interim CEO, Cassandra's appointment provides continuity as the Dja Dja Wurrung Group continues to support current and future generations of Dja Dja Wurrung People - and deliver benefits for Country and the region.

🛝 Gumbilang Lar Reserve officially opened in Harlowe Estate in Huntly, creating opportunities for children and families to engage with Dja Dja Wurrung culture through play. Guided by the principle of ngaldurrong yana (walking together), the project brought together Djaara Elders and artists, DJANDAK and project partners to create a place for community, learning and connection to Country.

🌱 Working together with purpose creates opportunities to care for Country in meaningful ways. Through the Bakaru wayaparrangu Agreement, DJAARA and Fosterville Gold Mine continue to work together on initiatives that support environmental outcomes. Recently, DJAARA and mine employees came together on Country to plant more than 2,500 native trees and shrubs, supporting ongoing, progressive rehabilitation.

🖼️ BIYAL became an opportunity to shape grief into growth, with artists creating works from the limb of the Guildford Biyal. Honouring the gifts of Djandak and the significance of the Biyal, the exhibition is still on display at Castlemaine Art Museum.

💬 The more connected we feel to Country, the more likely we are to care for it. We've shared some of our recent highlights on Djandak. Now we'd love to hear yours. Tell us about a favourite place, a walk, a view, a local park, or a moment on Country that made you pause and appreciate where you are.

Batak (take care) 🦅

30/09/2026

An inspiring short film about healing Country together has dropped!
We’re excited to share ‘Wurreka Galkangu – Walking Together to Heal Country’ - the story of DJAARA working together with our partners at Bush Heritage Australia to leave healthier Country for future generations.

Co-created with Bush Heritage, this special film shares a story of connection, collaboration and what’s possible when we walk together to heal Country.

We’re incredibly proud to share it with you and we'd love to hear what you think! 🎬Once you've watched it, please drop a comment below so we can keep the conversation going.

Watch the full film now: Film: https://bit.ly/4yiBaPL

📷 Grassland Films
📍 Dja Dja Wurrung Country

30/09/2026

Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Rick has laid one of the first Harcourt granite pavers in a striking cultural artwork that will span 300 square metres of Frederick Street.

Crafted from locally sourced stone from Mount Alexander/Leanganook, the mosaic-style artwork tells the story of Castlemaine's three creeks coming together and honours the area as a meeting place for generations.

Guided by Uncle Rick and designed by Daikota Nelson, the artwork is being delivered by DJANDAK as part of the Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane streetscape redevelopment.

The project has been shaped by a Wartaka, a group of Dja Dja Wurrung knowledge holders, helping bring this important story of Country into the heart of Castlemaine.

The Frederick Street and Mechanics Lane streetscape redevelopment project has been made possible through an Australian Government grant of $12.19 million under the Regional Precincts and Partnerships Program.

DJAARA ❤️

Photography by Craig Gaston

18/09/2026

Tomorrow 👀🎉

Join DJAARA tomorrow for our Family Day Celebration as part of Malamiya Mang 2026.

This day of celebration will include the Public Opening of Malamiya Mang Exhibition, Djaara Ceremony, Fashion, Music, Workshops, Stalls and Culture for all. Plenty of free activities for the whole family to be involved in.

Featuring stall holders from The Central Victorian Bat Alliance, Central Victorian Australian Conservation Foundation Community Group, Northern Bendigo Landcare, North Central CMA, Ironbark Gully Friends and City of Greater Bendigo Biodiversity Team.

Explore the full program at https://www.malamiyamang.com.au/program

17/09/2026

We’ve released the first DJAARA Environmental Water Plan for Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country). 💙

The plan sets out DJAARA's position on how environmental water should be used on Djandak.

It brings Dja Dja Wurrung knowledge, values and recommendations together with western science and monitoring to guide planning and delivery of environmental water on Country.

Environmental water is water allocated to improve the health of rivers, creeks, wetlands and floodplains.

💧 The DJAARA Environmental Water Plan will help water managers to integrate Dja Dja Wurrung knowledge and values into environmental water planning.

💧 Decisions that are informed by both traditional and Western scientific knowledge systems will lead to better outcomes for waterways and Country.

The DJAARA Environmental Water Plan is a key outcome of the three-year partnership established between the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder and DJAARA in 2025.

Read full media release: https://djadjawurrung.com.au/djaara-releases-first-environmental-water-plan-for-djandak/

11/09/2026

📢 Reminder for DJAARA Members - Family Group Meetings

Our Directors will be holding Family Group Meetings at Larnangurrak (Our place), bringing families together to help shape DJAARA's future. 🦅

Meetings will run from Saturday 12 September through to Saturday 17 October, with each Family Group allocated its own session.

A hybrid setup is in place, so Members unable to attend in person are welcome to join online.

For any questions, you can contact DJAARA's Member Engagement team:
📞 5444 2888📧 [email protected]

Your attendance is important and valued - we look forward to seeing you at Larnangurrak and online.

Batak (take care).

11/09/2026

10/09/2026

Explore DUMAWUL's Malamiya Mang 2026 Program this September school holidays.

🗣 Tell us in the comments below what you'd most like to explore from the program: https://www.malamiyamang.com.au/program

We hope to see you there 🦅

09/09/2026

DJAARA plans to conduct Djandak Wi (a Dja Dja Wurrung cultural burn) tomorrow, Thursday 10th of September, weather conditions permitting, in partnership with Forest Fire Management Victoria.

🪶 Proposed burn date - 10 September
🪶 Location: Borlands - Tobin Track, 1.78km S of Sailors Falls
🪶 Size: 0.76ha

Djandak Wi is a slow, gentle burn - however, you may see or smell smoke.

📞 If you experience symptoms that may be due to smoke exposure, seek medical advice or call NURSE-ON-CALL 1300 60 60 24

🦅 Djandak Wi means ‘Country Fire’ in Dja Dja Wurrung language. It is a cool, slow, patchy burn to promote healthy Country.

🌱Cool fire stimulates growth and germination of native plants, and promotes biodiversity.
🌱Djandak Wi gently reduces fuel loads - protecting community and assets while respecting the needs of native plants and animals.

This traditional cultural practice holds significant spiritual, social, and ceremonial importance for Dja Dja Wurrung People as it has done for tens of thousands of years.

🔥 Learn more:
Read DJAARA’s Djandak Wi strategy here: https://bit.ly/4c9OOfG

Look up Forest Fire Management Victoria Planned Burns: https://plannedburns.ffm.vic.gov.au/

08/09/2026

The Healthy Coliban Catchment partnership welcomes you to Lauriston Common to come together as part of the ongoing river restoration.