Federation Council's youngest residents recently embarked on a captivating journey into First Nations culture, joining Aunty Iris Troutman, CEO of Many Mobs Indigenous Corporation, for special Bangerang Dreamtime Storytime and art workshops during NAIDOC Week 2025.
The engaging sessions, held across Mulwala, Howlong, and Corowa, brought to life ancient Bangerang Dreamtime stories, traditionally told around campfires to children to educate them about the rights and wrongs of people's behaviour and the consequences of their actions. The stories also explain why certain animals are the way they are and how they came to be that way. Aunty Iris selected three stories from "Grandpa Milawa Stories: Australian Dreamtime Stories," a cherished collection written by the late Uncle Freddie Dowling, passed down through generations of the Bangerang People.
Mayor Cheryl Cook applauded the initiative, stating, "NAIDOC Week is a vital time to celebrate the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Sharing these incredible Dreamtime stories with our children is not only educational but also deeply moving. It fosters understanding and respect for the world's oldest living culture right here in our community."
In Mulwala, children were enthralled by the story of Bobbinawarra, a skilled fisherman who found himself struggling to find fish during a drought, who decides to travel south to the sea. After a scare with some sharks, Bobbinawarra and his family changed into pelicans and flew back to the North East and safety. The story explains why to this very day, pelicans are white with the black patch on their back, and why you rarely see a pelican in the sea.
The Howlong workshop captivated its young audience with the tale of Boggi and Mitta Mitta. This poignant story of forbidden love, resulting in their transformation into a Blue Tongue Lizard and a Wren, illuminates why these creatures are often found close together in your garden and how they acquired their unique characteristics.
Corowa's participants learned about Yirradwor, the Magpie. The story of two families that had identical twin boys and girls who were very mischievous. The twins later fell in love and became double trouble which nearly resulted in a war between the two clans until Byamee stepped in and changed them to Magpies. The story tells us why if you are ever travelling south west towards Bendigo, you will notice all the magpies have black backs until you reach a town called Goornong. From then on, you will notice all the magpies have white backs.
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Aunty Iris masterfully used vibrant paintings as a narrative tool, bringing each story to life. Children actively participated, adding to the canvases with dot painting techniques and creating their own clay babies in coolamons, adorned with bark and emu feathers, alongside painted hand and foot moulds to take home.
Mayor Cook added, "It was truly wonderful to see our young people so engaged and creatively connecting with these ancient narratives. Aunty Iris's ability to translate these stories into accessible and interactive experiences is truly a gift. These workshops are a fantastic way to honor this year's NAIDOC Week theme, 'The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,' by empowering our children with knowledge and appreciation for First Nations culture."
Also in a generous gesture, now departed and much respected former Bangerang Elder, Uncle Freddie Dowling's sons donated copies of "Grandpa Milawa Stories" to each of the Federation Council libraries. These books, alongside the colourful paintings created during the workshops, will reside in the libraries, ensuring that the Dreamtime stories of the Bangerang Peoples continue to be shared with future generations.
