About Bocara Cultural Walking Tours
This is Bocara Wooroowarook Mirring (River Country along Bocara). The river is the centre of all life in Nelson, as it has been for millennia. It is one of our boundaries between Gunditjmara and Boandik.
Bocara is the Gunditjmara/Dhauwurd Wurrung language name for the Glenelg River.
Traditionally, Gunditjmara people were named after places and significant entities to continue their connection to Mirring (Country).
Visitors are invited to walk with Judy on Mirring, while learning about Gunditjmara history and culture. This culturally safe tour is inclusive and open to all.
Learn about our six different seasons and different native bush foods local to Gunditjmara Mirring.
Hear about the history of Gunditjmara clan groups prior to and after colonisation.
We will visit a sacred site and hear about the traditional customs and practices.
Each tour is different and shaped around the interests of the group. Walk away with a stronger understanding of Gunditjmara culture.
A message from your guide
“Ngata (hello) my name is Judy McDonald (nee Powell). I am a proud Kerrup Jmara, Gunditjmara woman, the daughter of Helen (nee McDonald) and Murray Powell.
I am a proud mum of four adult daughters and a grandma to eleven grandchildren. I was born on Mirring (Country), and in 2020 I returned to Mirring to live and work.
This experience made me reflect on my life, looking deep into my connections while being watched and guided by my ancestors. I began thinking about how I could share my story with people who are interested in learning about my culture, Mirring and family.
With a background in research, and education among other things, I began thinking about how I could share my family’s stories and provide visitors to Nelson with a meaningful cultural experience that is non-threatening and culturally safe.
I live in an amazing part of the world, Nelson, Victoria, where Bocara (Glenelg River) meets Nyamat Mirring (Sea Country, Southern Ocean).
I established Bocara Cultural Walking Tours in 2024 in Nelson to share the culture, stories and history of Gunditjmara from right here along Bocara (the Glenelg River).
I really look forward to meeting you when you come on my tour with me.
Wurruk (goodbye).”
Judy McDonald’s mum Helen (pictured) at the orphanage in Geelong in the early 1930s. Helen was a Gunditjmara knowledge holder, and shared this knowledge with her family over generations.
Judy’s great granddad with her Uncle Nowell, Uncle Claude, Aunty Thelma, Uncle Wally, and her mum Helen at Lake Condah Mission.
Your spirit lives on in me today
Poem by Judy’s daughter and proud Gunditjmara woman Catherine Coysh, 2023.
Our songlines were changed
Stories lost, not to be told the old way
Just like the yellow tail black cockatoo
Your spirit lives on in me today.
They came hunting for you
Budj Bim a safe place for you to flee
Just like the possum skin cloak
Your spirit lives on in me today.
Your identity was stolen
Your culture taken away
Just like our ancestors wanted
Your spirit lives on in me today.
You were removed from your family
Taught to cook, clean and obey
Just like our stone Country
Your spirit lives on in me today.
You held on to your baggage
The invisible load nobody could see
Just like our songlines planned
Your spirit lives on in me today
You didn’t reach the fork in the road
Your spirit chose not to heal but stay
Just like the saltwater waves
Your spirit lives on in me today.
I’ll face the demons for you
Its time for us to reclaim
I promise you Granny
I’ll take your spirit home
Judy’s great grandma with her Uncle Mervyn (tallest boy with hat on), Uncle Claude (left), Uncle Wally (front) and Uncle Nowell (baby) at Nuns beach in Portland.
Gunditjmara Country
Gunditjmara Mirring is bounded by Bocara (Glenelg River) in the West, Nyamat Mirring (Sea Country – Southern Ocean) in the south, Wannon River across to Bunong (Mustons Creek) in the North to Tooram (Hopkins River) in the East.
There are four recognised distinct types of Mirring: Tungatt Mirring (Stone Country), Nyamat Mirring (Sea Country), Bocara Woorowarook Mirring (River Forest Country) and Woorowarook Mirring (Forest Country).
In the future, Judy and other Gunditjmara guides hope to form a Gunditjmara trail across Mirring, sharing stories, histories, cultural knowledge and customs with visitors.
Map source: Budj Bim Cultural Landscape Tours