Watch: The highlights from Durrungan Gathering 2024
Durrungan Gathering 2025
Whale Dreaming Festival
28 JUNE 2025
9:00-16:00 | Durrungan Gathering ~ Whale Dreaming Festival - Cultural festival, live music, cultural performances, wildlife and environmental workshops and stalls, ORRCA Whale Census Day location, cultural workshops, lighthouse tours, mech tent, food and coffee vendors.
Gold coin donation on entry
Norah Head Lighthouse, Norah Head NSW
Darkinjung Country
Mirring Hosting
Formally known as Whale Dreamers Festival (WDF)
The annual Durrungan Gathering formally known as the Whale Dreamers Festival (WDF) is organised by the Mirring Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with 5 Lands Walk Inc and Gudjagang Ngara Li-dhi Aboriginal Corporation, will be held at Norah Head Lighthouse. Durrungan marks the conclusion of the 5 Lands Walk - Winter Festival and the beginning of NAIDOC Week.
The Durrungan Gathering is a celebration of our cherished traditions and to honour Durrungan, the magnificent Humpback Whale, as they embark on their annual journey north to the birthing grounds in warmer waters. Durrungan holds great cultural significance as a powerful totem of the sea.
During the gathering, we strive to raise awareness about environmental issues that impact our oceans. We will share Aboriginal perspectives and stories to foster understanding and appreciation for our rich culture and values. We come together in the spirit of unity and joy, rejoicing in the safe passage of Durrungan.
As part of our commitment to the environment, we encourage and promote eco friendly practices at Durrungan Gathering. This includes waste education, recycling initiatives, the use of renewable energy sources, and incorporation of traditional environmental practices, such as those advocated by the National Firesticks Alliance. By adhering to these standards, we can collectively make a positive impact on our surroundings and for our beloved Durrungan.
Durrungan (Humpback whale)
Durrungan (Humpback whale) are a traditional sight and sound in the Awaba Darkinjung landscape. Over the cooler months, pods make the regular seasonal journey north, breaching waves along the coastline.
Rock engravings on the land and dreaming stories passed down between generations continue to demonstrate the strong and long-standing connection between the Awaba Darkinjung and the Durrungan. There are many different animals that are significant to the Darkinjung People. Some include the whale (durrungan), frog (gudad), kangaroo (bandar), koala (guluwayn), emu (dinam/baribari/ gunggurung), echidna (ganyi), eel (bara), and turtle (gudumang). These should be used to represent/ interpret the various environments that they come from.
The Darkinjung community want to share and invite the broader community to immerse themselves in local cultural activities, stories and traditions connected and respecting Country, the sea creatures and our Oceans. Come celebrate and join us while learning local and neighbouring creation stories, song and dance. We will be joined by our neighbouring groups Wonnarua and Guringai
Event Line Up
28 June 2025 09:00-16:00
Durrungan Gathering ~ Whale Dreaming Festival
Live Music & Performances (main stage)
9:00-9:30 Welcome to Country, Smoking & Opening Ceremony by Matthew Syron. Mirring Aboriginal Corporation introductions and The Glen Women cultural dancers.
9:30-9:40 Introduction to Whale Talks & ORRCA Whale Census Day - Reawakening the Whale Songline with Jodi Edwards & Chels Marshall, Walk Talks with Jeannie Lawson and ORRCA whale talks and Census Day count with Catriona Byrne.
9:40-10:10 Jannawi Dance Clan - Jannawi Dance Clan shines a light on strength, resilience and artistry of Aboriginal women, men, youth and dance culture today. Jannawi dance clan is an Indigenous dance company encompassing modern urban and traditional Aboriginal dance styles with traditional music by song man Matthew Doyle singing in the Sydney languages. Jannawi dance clan’s work involves performing traditional ceremonies, welcome to country dances, contemporary dance, music festival’s, community and corporate events, educational school shows and workshops for early childhood, primary, high school and teaching in communities. The name Jannawi means ‘with me, with you’ in the Darug language of NSW.
10:25-10:45 Jaime Smith - Jamie Smith, Singer/ Song/ Storyteller. A Kamilaroi man born in Cowan, raised in Moree. Jaime studied music at Adelaide University at C.A.S.M the centre for Aboriginal studies and music alongside musicians such as No fixed and Coloured Stones. Jaime weaves his stories through his unique sounds of Country music.
10:50-11:15 Bandria McLeod - Be entertained by the smooth vocals of Bandria mcLeod.
11:20-11:40 MariMayi - Sharing the traditional sounds of Country with a folk and blues twist, MariMayi sing their stories through the Language of their Ancestors. Both singers in their own Country and community, Jesse Hodgetts and Jayden Kitchener-Waters swap their boomerangs with guitars to grow and flow their music like the rivers of their Ngurrampaa. Mari and Mayi means “people of Gomeroi and Wongaibon Country” and listening to MariMayi, your ears, heart and mind will travel through Gomeroi and Wongaibon Dreaming.
11:50-12:20 Reawakening the Whale Songlines ~ Dr Jodi Edwards & Dr Chels Marshall
A deadly duo of Cultural Ecological Knowledge and Cultural Education Systems. These two mighty First Nations women are ambassadors of Country, culture and and non-human kin. Through their practice of knowledge sharing and rekindling of cultural practices they endeavour to protect Country and sea-kin, the integrity of cultural knowledge and intergenerational knowledge transfer for generations to come.
Come and listen with your heart as Jodi takes you on a journey through her charismatic story sharing and cultural song voice that will leave you with goosebumps. Chels will fill your mind with First Nation Science, ecological wonders and informs you of their research project Unbroken Whispers ~ The Ripples Connecting Sea Kin.
13:30-13:00 Gene Kelaher Yidaki Sound Bath & Eric Avery - Gene Kelaher (Ngiyampaa Nation) Aboriginal Cultural artist, educator, Didgeridoo musician, Traditional dancer, visual artist and sound healer is bringing his Yidaki Sound Bath to Durrungan. Surrender yourself to the unique sounds of the Didgeridoo and experience the unique power of healing through sound.
Eric Avery, Kabi Marrawuy Mumbulla, is a violinist, vocalist dancer and composer from the Ngiyampaa, Yuin and Gumbayngirr people of NSW. He works with his family’s custodial songs and his haunting compositions often feature him singing while playing violin, predominantly in the Ngiyampaa language.
Quickly gaining an international reputation, Eric has appeared alongside and in association with some of the greatest artists of our time, from Yo-Yo Ma to Tina Arena. He has commissions and performances booked with Camerata Queensland, Ensemble Offspring, the JACK Quartet, Marrugeku and several of Australia’s major orchestras. He was a 2021 Myer Creative Fellow
13:10-13:50 Green Hand Band - Green Hand Band were born from poverty, racism and inequality are cornerstone concepts Redfern-based reggae fusion group Green Hand Band aims to break down barriers about. Drawing musical influences from soul, reggae and desert rock genres, the group uses music to raise awareness of issues such as recovering from addiction, spiritual empowerment, love, and social justice. Key writer, keyboard player and vocalist, Tim Gray leads the band bringing an infectious passion to the stage.
14:50-15:30 Marrungbung - Marrumbang is a deadly all-Indigenous band founded on Gadigal lands, performing fresh originals, traditional songs in language and a new soulful take on popular music. Marrumbang, meaning ‘love and kindness’ in Wiradjuri language features soulful sultry & power vocals from proud Ngiyampaa woman Darlene Proberts with singer/songwriter musicians Worimi woman Lizzie Keys on bass and Wiradjri man Phillip Bragg’s electrifying riffs guitar, & Kamilaroi man James McAuley deadly on percussion.
Closing Ceremony
15:30-16:00 Rhythms of K’gari Njun
Rhythms of K’gari Njun – Cultural Dance workshop Step into the world of K’gari Njun, a proud group of Aboriginal dancers from Darkinjung Country. Their workshop Rhythms of K’gari takes you through traditional movements and rhythms that tell the stories of the Ancestors, creating an immersive experience that celebrates the beauty of Aboriginal culture.
Cultural Activities
10:30-15:00 Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi Aboriginal Corporation (GNL marquee)
Liz Keys from Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi will be tempting your taste buds with a Curry Cook Off. Come and have a bowl of curry and a yarn and see what our organisation provides to our community.
11:00-14:00 Traditional Weaving (Mirring marquee)
Mirring Practitioner Aunty Daniella Chedzey is a proud Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan woman of the Pilaarrkiylalu Pliar tree Mayi Elder who is a master weaver and dancer. You will learn what traditional fibres were used, how to gather and prepare your natural fibres through to a discussion on the materials needed and where to obtain them. You will then learn about sustainable practices, online resources and how to finish your piece.
Lenore Lovegrove is a lifelong musician, dancer and artist who learnt her cultural weaving from her Ngarrindjeri aunties, master weavers and family in Southeast South Australia over twenty years ago. Sydney born, she has spent the better part of her life within the performing/expressive, creative and healing arts spaces, singing, dancing, creating music and artworks and providing education within her areas of knowledge and experience. She has also spent much time over the years learning from elders and sharing with or performing for niche communities in our local regions, across the country and internationally.
13:00-15:00 Sea Kin Lantern Creations ~ Chels Marshall & Jodi Edwards (Mirring marquee)
Join enthusiastic creatives Chels and Jodi in the Mirring marquee for some hands on sea creature creations.
Yarn About You Podcast / MC (roaming interviews)
My name is Clay Williams and I have been acting in TV and on stage (in both professional and amateur productions) for over 40 years. I also have experience doing medical role-plays (at exam level) and I host a podcast called ‘Yarn About You’.
13:30-14:30 Yarning Circle (Mirring Bell tent)
Phil Bligh was born Bourke, a small town in the north-west of New South Wales, his father is a Kullilli/Wakka Wakka man and mother a Kalkadoon woman. a member of the Kullilli Bulloo River Native Title Aboriginal Corporation established in 2014 to facilitate native title rights and interests of the Kullilli community, Queensland. He acknowledges the NSW Central Coast as his home and is an active long-standing member of the Darkinjung Local Aboriginal Land Council. Prior to living on the Central Coast, Phil worked as a senior consultant with the NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs and senior policy analyst with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) where he directed the Education Portfolio. He holds a BA (Liberal Studies) degree from Charles Sturt University.
Educational Stalls & Talks
11:50-12:20pm Reawakening the Whale Songlines ~ Chels Marshall & Jodi Edwards (main stage)
Dr Chels Marshall is a Gumbaynggirr saltwater woman from Nambucca Heads on the mid north coast of NSW. Chels is a leading Indigenous ecologist with extensive professional experience in cultural landscape management, environmental planning and design. With involvement in development of policy and strategy within government agencies, research institutions, indigenous communities, and consulting firms. Previously working as a Ranger with NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service, Chels undertook protected area management, research, environmental compliance, response and operational systems, species management, permits and compliance, program and managing contracts, tenders, and projects relating to the recovery and conservation of protected species, cultural heritage and environmental land/seascapes.
Dr Jodi Edwards has always been a trailblazer. As a girl, she busted the gender barrier to play soccer for NSW and represented Australia in powerlifting and weightlifting. As an educator, she has led the revival of the Dharawal language. Locally, Jodi has founded youth programs, helped create public art, led Indigenous SUP tours, written bestselling children’s books and won numerous awards, including 2022’s Shellharbour Woman of the Year.
ORRCA inc. ~ Whale Yarns - Catriona Byrne (near front entrance)
Catriona Byrne will present three marine mammal talks on the rescue, conservation, protection and welfare of whales, dolphins, seals, and dugongs.
Catriona Byrne is a trained marine mammal rescuer and committee member with the ORRCA Society for almost 20 years. She has participated in many rescues’ workshops and event throughout the year and regularly conducts whale watching tours to raise funds for marine mammal conservation and research. ORRCA are the only volunteer wildlife rehabilitation group in New South Wales licensed to be involved with marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and release. ORRCA offers the community one of the most experienced and successful whale, dolphin, seal and dugong rescue teams in Australia. We are also proud that today, we have rescue trained members in Western Australia and Queensland available to support the local authorities should a marine mammal incident arise.
Join the 2025 ORRCA Whale Census Day. Grab your binoculars and head to your nearest headland to participate in ORRCA's Annual Whale Census Day! Simply join us at Norah Heads Lighthouse or pick a favourite headland and REGISTER HERE for this event to log your location. You’ll be emailed our Census Day kit one week prior to the event, which contains a sighting fact sheet and how to access our Data Collection App to log your sightings on the day.
Harmony Vision Whale Talks ~ Jeannie Lawson (bench view point near entrance)
Jeannie Lawson is a passionate advocate of environmental education and has been studying whales for more than 30 years. Through her natural curiosity and her many years of study Jeannie has a deep understanding of the natural world which she shares in inspiring ways through community talks, naturalist tours with Imagine Cruises in Nelson Bay and with her book launch 'The Sea In Me’.
Living Ocean ~ Community Education (near main stage)
Living Ocean is an Australian not-for-profit environmental association, operating as a centre for marine studies to contribute to international research, community education, and the conservation of marine environments and animals, in the face of key global challenges including plastics and climate change.
We are first and foremost researchers – with an insatiable curiosity for the ocean and the abundance of life it contains. We are also surfers, photographers, ocean swimmers, sailors and divers, driven to assess the human impact on oceans, so that future generations can benefit from a thriving ocean ecological community.
Keeping Me Keeping You ~ Education and support for people with PTSD.
Talking, Sharing, Training about the gap in the mental health system for those living with PTSD. Richelle says ‘I found people tend to either ignore you or push you away. And when looking for a service, I couldn’t find one to suit my needs. I just wanted social support. I just wanted someone who would call, Who I could talk to; hang out with; come to appointments with me. Nothing like that existed. So here I am. I am changing the way we deal with PTSD, so come and have a yarn’ and learning how Keeping Me Keeping You can helping you with acute stress and trauma.
Norah Head National Surf Reserve ~ Protect our surf w. Leo McBride and Cassie Ives
Norah Head National Surf Reserve’s mission is to preserve Norah Head’s rich surfing culture and heritage. Our intention is to support respectful and sustainable use of the fragile coastline from Hargraves Beach to Pelican Point by establishing a NORAH HEAD NATIONAL SURFING RESERVE and promoting the values of: “SHARE, RESPECT and PRESERVE” in the community.
Sea Shepard ~ Marine conservation stall
Sea Shepherd is an international, non-profit marine conservation organisation that campaigns to defend, conserve and protect the world’s ocean.
Norah Head Lighthouse Tours
10:00-14:00 Climb to the lofty heights of the historic Norah Head Lighthouse on a tour that will take you back in time. Climb all 96 steps of this remarkable tower to the very top. Take in the breathtaking 360-degree views of the Central Coast from the tower balcony as a reward for your effort. Learn about how the lights worked back in the day, catch a glimpse of a passing pod of dolphins, humpback whales or a gliding eagle or kestrel and hear some incredible shipwreck stories.
Tour Prices Adults $10 / Children $5 / Family 2 Adults & 3 Children $28
Logo Design Inspiration
Matthew Syron - Worimi, Biripi and Darkinjung Gurri
Logo Designer
Natalia Baechtold, is a Ngarrindjeri Mimini living on Gumbayngirr Country and born on Darkinjung Ngura. Natalia designed the Durrungan Gathering logo from the stunning painting ‘Whale comes with Wattle’ by Matthew Syron.
Artist
My name is Matthew Syron, I am a proud Worimi, Biripi and Darkinjung Gurri.
I'm also a father of 4 young boys and a veteran of MTF-2 Afghanistan.
I was born and raised on Darkinjung Ngura, although I also have spent a lot of time on Worimi/Awaba Barray. I have a very strong connection with the coast and have surfed my whole life.
My painting depicts the connection between the land and water, flora and fauna. Doorroongang (Durrungan/Humpback whale), Maragay Mananbang.
Whale comes with Wattle.
Over the years I have spent a lot of time at the beach and walking country. I noticed the different wattle that blooms when the whales migrate north for warmer water to give birth and the migration back to the cooler water in Spring with a new addition to the pod. It also shows the humble beginnings we all share with our time with our Mother.
From nurturing us in our formative years under her protection as we grow into powerful self sustainable creatures. It is our Mother who gives us the gift of life and to her we owe our lives. These were my inspirations for this painting.
