At back, from left, Tamas Davis, Rueben Davis, Howard Drahm, Uncle Dudley Byquar, John Davis; front row, Will Davis, Melachi Davis, Zaine Davis and Bethany Davis
March 24, 2014
The Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation held its second annual “Community Day” at the Bunya Mountains on Saturday – a gathering of indigenous and non-indigenous people to celebrate the history and values of the Bunya Mountains.
BPAC chairman and Bunya elder Mal Collinge said the day attracted about 120 people.
It began with a smoking ceremony, followed by performances of traditional dances by groups from Cherbourg and Ipswich.
A bus tour and cultural walks allowed visitors to explore parts of the National Park before enjoying lunch on the lawn at Dandabah.
Mr Collinge said people had travelled from as far afield as Goondiwindi for the day and he hoped it could become an annual event.
The community day echoes the traditional Bunya Nut festivals of the past when Aboriginal people from all over south-east Queensland and northern NSW would gather at the mountains and nearby areas to feast on bunya nuts.
Ken Markwell and Andrew Niven, from Indigenous Business Australia, with Lurlene Henderson (Gladstone) and Mal Collinge (Bundaberg), from the Bunya Peoples Aboriginal Corporation
Visitor Management Ranger Bryan Phillips-Petersen and Ranger-In-Charge Kelvin Quinn
Emily Maher, Bundaberg, and Darby McCarthy, Toowoomba
Tom Henderson, from Mt Larcom, with Aunty Jenny Thompson, from Brisbane; and Uncle Eugene Bargo, from Black Snake