Wadandi story now open to the world on YouTube

A sold-out presentation highlighting the deep impact of traditional Wadandi culture on the region has been made available online, allowing the general public to experience the stirring event in November.

A capacity crowd attended the 3,000 Generations & the Next One event hosted at Margaret River HEART/Nala Bardip Mia, a joint presentation by Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association chair, Stuart Hicks AO, and Wadandi Elder, Dr Wayne Webb.

Mr Hicks said the response to the presentation demonstrated the community’s passion to learn more about the Wadandi story.

“In the wake of [The Voice to Parliament] referendum, more than 400 of our community came together with Wadandi Elder, Dr Wayne Webb, and myself, to consider how we can walk a path forward, together,” Mr Hicks said.

“Wayne and I shared our black fella and white fella perspectives of deep time through science and storytelling, and Wayne offered four Wadandi gifts to help us grow the connection we have with each other, and with this country.

“Wayne warmly invited us to help share the messages from the night, and I am delighted that thanks to Transition Margaret River we are able to share this recording which was skilfully captured by Ovis Creative and features The Nomadics’ Wadandi Boodja song.”

Mr Hicks encouraged everyone to take the time to watch the presentation, and start a conversation with family, friends and colleagues.

“As you will see, Wayne brought a moving end to the presentation by helping everybody to learn to the words: Nitja-be nan-ya Wadandi Boodjara (This is my Saltwater Country), Nitja-be kidjie noonda kallip (This is also your home), Nala jenn-biddi wah, watt Galyarra (We will walk this path together).”

The presentation was delivered with the support of a number of regional groups and organisations including Undalup Association, Arts Margaret River and Margaret River HEART, the Margaret River Wine Association, the Margaret River Business Network, Nature Conservation Margaret River Region, Transition Margaret River, Mindful Margaret River and Amnesty Margaret River.

“We believe that tourism has an enormous capacity to improve the economic, environmental, social, cultural, and Aboriginal outlook of our place,” Mr Hicks said.

“Harnessing that potential has been central to all of our work at MRBTA and Capes Foundation over the last year.”

3,000 Generations & the Next One can be viewed via the Capes Foundation YouTube channel at youtube.com/@CapesFoundation.

The Margaret River Bookshop has curated a reading list for further learning, which can be found at margaretriverbookshop.com.au

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