{"id":317259,"date":"2022-04-29T18:04:20","date_gmt":"2022-04-29T08:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=317259"},"modified":"2022-08-02T19:08:29","modified_gmt":"2022-08-02T09:08:29","slug":"uni-blossoms-in-the-bush","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/04\/29\/uni-blossoms-in-the-bush\/","title":{"rendered":"Uni Blossoms In The Bush"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Special guest artist at the launch was award-winning singer-songwriter Kev Carmody, pictured with his granddaughter, Layla Carmody, from Toowoomba<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

April 28, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

A “bush university” which aims to teach and share First Nations culture could possibly become the Bunya Mountains’ latest tourist attraction.<\/p>\n

The Bonye Bush University is a project put together by the Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Corporation (BPAC) with both Federal and State government assistance.<\/p>\n

The group has taken over the former Presbyterian Camp site on the Bunya Mountains and developed a “learning space” in nearby Russell Park.<\/p>\n

The cleared area was degraded land which had been overtaken by wattle but included a natural spring which now forms the heart of the new space.<\/p>\n

The centrepiece is a dancing ground and rock pool, formed within three coils of a 120 metre-long stone rainbow serpent.<\/p>\n

There are sections for both women\u2019s and men’s business.<\/p>\n

Solar-powered lights are embedded in the walls which will enable the area to be used at night.<\/p>\n

Slightly further up the hill is a Genestreams songlines sculpture, modelled on similar projects elsewhere in Australia.<\/p>\n

This features artwork from local First Nations artists on the outside, representing the different clans and language groups which met at the Bunya Mountains in pre-colonial days and still regard the area as sacred today.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Inside the leaves of the sculpted “flower” are depictions of Bunya Mountains flora and fauna from the Cretaceous period through to the modern day.<\/p>\n

The baseplate explains the geological time scale which the inner walls depict. The whole sculpture is also lit by solar lights.<\/p>\n

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe joined BPAC officials, invited guests and local residents for the opening ceremony of the learning space last Saturday.<\/p>\n

Rain fell throughout the event but that didn’t deter the dancers, musicians or speechmakers.<\/p>\n

Special guest artist was ARIA Hall of Fame musician Kevin Carmody who began his set with the Murri classic, “Thou Shalt Not Steal”.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Bunya Mountains \u2018In Country\u2019 Learning Space is where visitors can experience First Nations culture, lore and customs,\u201d Mr Hinchliffe said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know demand for authentic Indigenous tourism experiences like the Bunya Mountains Learning Space is growing.<\/p>\n

\u201cNew cultural experiences are fundamental to the State\u2019s international tourism relaunch and more regional Queensland jobs.”<\/p>\n

Access to the learning space is via a steep track from Fisher’s Lookout.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
BPAC vice-president Wayne Fossey … Uncle Wayne said the area was “a cultural place, a spiritual place” to be enjoyed by everyone<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Western Downs mayor Paul McVeigh with Lahni MacDonald and Marlon Hill, from Gayndah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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The Genestreams songlines sculpture has been designed to withstand the elements, made from stainless steel and a special ceramic material<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Jacinda Ibrahim, from Toowoomba, was one of the five artists who prepared panels for the sculpture … the Wulli Wulli woman painted a bush turkey and a black-breasted button quail<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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South Burnett councillor Kirstie Schumacher and her children Decklan, 12, and Grace, 8, explored the Genestreams sculpture<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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South Burnett councillor Kathy Duff and Mayor Brett Otto and his wife Ros watched on from the sidelines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bunya Peoples’ Aboriginal Corporation general manager Paul Dawson compered the day<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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A downpour didn’t stop Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford from speaking to the assembled crowd<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bunya Nut Ernie (Ian Heard), from Nanango, with Deb Anderson, from Oakey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Toowoomba Regional Council deputy mayor Geoff McDonald with Southern Queensland Country Tourism CEO Peter Homan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Bunya Mountains Community Association members … secretary Carol Weekes, president Ian Harris and Noel Noack<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"\"<\/a>
BPAC general manager Paul Dawson, Toowoomba deputy mayor Geoff McDonald and\u00a0Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford … the billabong and dancing ground in the background are formed within the coils of a giant rainbow serpent (Photo: Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Photo Gallery<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

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 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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