Putting Culture Front and Centre at Buchan Munji 

The Gunaikurnai called this place Buchan Munji, and today many people know it as the Buchan Caves Reserve. 

The reserve is one of 14 parks across Victoria that GLaWAC jointly manages in partnership with the Victorian government, recognising how important places like Buchan Munji are to the cultural identity of Gunaikurnai Traditional Owners. 

Right now, GLaWAC is working with Parks Victoria on an exciting project to make that cultural identity a more prominent and visible presence in the Buchan Caves Reserve. 

Recent visitors will have already noticed one of the first phases of that larger project – an installation of a yarning circle featuring the five Gunaikurnai clan shields.  

This installation was designed by Doug Hood of GLaWAC’s Business Enterprise Services team and constructed by Doug and fellow GLaWAC team members Chris Hood, Paul and Tyson Harrison and Geoff McHugh. 

It features the Krauatungalung shield at the centre – the tribal territory of the Krauatungalung includes the area around Buchan Munji down to the coast and east of Lakes Entrance to Snowy River and beyond.  

A yarning circle is a traditional meeting place, and seats have been built within the yarning circle to encourage visitors to sit, yarn and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. 

For countless generations, the original inhabitants of this country camped at Buchan Munji during seasonal migrations from the high country to the coast. 

Although Gunaikurnai people did not traditionally venture very deep into the limestone caves, oral history and archaeological evidence tells us that caves were a place used by Mulla-mullung – medicine men and women – whose practise involved using crystals and other stones and minerals. 

Today this area retains an enormous cultural and spiritual significance for the Gunaikurnai people, holding important stories to be shared with community and the many people who visit this area. 

Other work by GLaWAC crews to be unveiled in the coming weeks include repaired infrastructure along the Spring Creek Walk, and a new cultural installation at the entrance to the reserve. 

Stay tuned for more info about that!