A trip to the annual Gynburra Festival in Port Victoria provided five AnglicareSA Foster Care families with an opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture, language, and Country of the Nharangga people.

Supported by the Northern Foster Care team, the families – made up of 11 carers and 18 young people aged 6 months to 17 years old – attended the festival which celebrates the significance of the Gynburra (butterfish) to Nharangga people.

AnglicareSA Aboriginal Cultural Practitioner Troy Bond said the trip was made possible thanks to the support of Adventure Connect which sponsored accommodation at Moonta Bay for the long weekend.

 

“David and his crew also provided a boat to take some of the older young people and their carers out for a chartered fishing experience, while the younger children and their carers went out for shorter afternoon trips crabbing,”

Troy said.

“They were also on hand to fillet and crumb any fish and prepare any crabs that were caught so that those who participated were able to enjoy a self-caught feast.

An additional two families stayed elsewhere close by which they had organised themselves with the support of the Department for Child Protection so they could also be part of the festivities.

“All of the families were able to enjoy dinner together each night throughout the long weekend, attend the Gynburra Festival, and experience a Welcome to Country,” Troy said.

“A cultural workshop was also held over the weekend with the support of Michael Wanganeen and the Nharangga Aboriginal Progress Association, where carers and young people were able to learn about Nharangga language, culture, and Country.“

Troy said the weekend was enjoyed by all and for some of the young people it was their first time out on a boat fishing or crabbing.

One carer described it as an experience the whole family would never forget.

“From the moment we arrived, we felt so welcomed, and you could immediately sense the deep connection to Country and community,” they said.

“The trip was a wonderful way for our kids to learn about First Nations culture in such an engaging and hands-on way.

“The workshops, storytelling, and activities were so much fun, but more importantly, they taught them about the history and traditions of the Nharangga people.”

They said it was incredible to see how much the young people soaked in and how much they started to understand the importance of the land and its people.

“One of the most special parts of the trip was watching our young daughter speak with such pride about her land.

“You could see how much it meant to her to be there, standing on the land of her ancestors, identifying it as ‘my land’.

“It was such a powerful moment, and it really made us appreciate how important it is to be on Country, to feel that connection, and to learn directly from those who have cared for the land for thousands of years.”

Another carer said her girls loved spending time with everyone and connecting with one another – taking in the Gynburra Festival, the beach, and learning about the Nharangga People.

“Thank you to the staff that attended (Troy along with Placement Support Workers Eliza Williams and Sabrina Savill) The girls adored them as they got involved, joined in, and helped out,” she said.

“The whole trip felt relaxing, and it was a great experience for everyone involved – the girls have already been asking when they can do it again.”