Come together at The Briars for a day of Deep Listening

Cultural entertainment, bush foods, guided tours, games and workshops are among the attractions at Our Songlines’ third Our Survival Day on Thursday, January 26.

Our Songlines is a 100 per cent Aboriginal-owned and women-led organisation that is passionate about making Indigenous culture accessible to First Nations and allies in a supportive, safe environment. It is hosted annually at the picturesque The Briars in Mount Martha on Bunurong land of the Boon Wurrung language group within the Kulin Nation, among indigenous plants, trees, birds, and habitat for wildlife.

Our Survival Day focuses on Indigenous education, cultural entertainment, food and sustainability through the theme Deep Listening. You will feel the connection as soon as you walk on to Bunurong land: be welcomed by the trees, the birds, the First Nations musical voices, the smell of indigenous bush foods, friends enjoying picnics and playing games, cultural workshops, dancing, families of diverse backgrounds and many activities to participate in at your leisure. This is an all-inclusive supportive space, so if you have any requirements you’d like us to accommodate, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email at Hello@oursonglines.com

The day will begin with a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony by Bunurong Traditional Owners Jill and Josh West. Our Master of Ceremonies for the day will be the incredible Jony Berry. A man of Palawa and Portuguese heritage, Jony was the first Aboriginal person to represent Australia at the Mr World competition, using his platform as a model and performer to advocate for causes close to his heart.

Headlining our community festival is Mitch Tambo, supported by Dallas Woods, Jalgany, Caution and Fresh Verse. Local Aboriginal men Lionel and Sean from Living Culture will be your guides to the secrets of The Briars, focusing on bush food, medicinal plants and traditional understanding. Limited bookings for sessions are available. Local gathering place Nairm Marr Djambana will have fun creative activities for the young ones and the young at heart.

Our 2022 event was completely carbon-positive, and this year we intend expanding our green initiatives to ensure we leave the land better than when we started. Our Survival Day vendors, artists, stallholders and workshops will be caring for Country by using environmentally responsible packaging and materials, and saying no to single-use plastics. We will also be planting trees to offset our carbon emissions from the event. You will find bins – including composting and recycling – around the site with our aim to reduce our waste as much as we can.

What would a community event be without getting to take home some deadly cultural creations from some of our favourite entrepreneurs? The Deadly Wears clothing brand is the inspiration of two cousins, Hollie and Katherine, with support from Katherine’s partner Jakob. Katherine and Hollie are two proud Gunaikurnai, Monero Ngarigo women who live on Gunaikurnai Country. Our Dilly Bag connects allies directly to Indigenous-owned and led products, events and information. Jala Jala Treats is a business dedicated to the celebration of Australia’s native flavours. First Peoples health and well-being services will be on hand; incredible balms and oils will be available from Wunyun, an Aboriginal and Indian healer; Mob Melts will bring you a range of scented candles and melts; and Stefanopolips’ arts and homewares and Burndap Collective’s handmade jewellery will be available to buy.

Our Survival Day is on Thursday, January 26. Tickets are on sale at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/our-survivalday-2023-tickets-461628201377.