The early morning downpour settled the Earth and cooled the landscape, creating the perfect atmosphere for some 150 people who gathered to witness an important cultural milestone at Winton Wetlands.

Nikki James, a proud Yorta Yorta woman, lead the official launch and was the event coordinator for the corroboree circle and bush tucker garden as part of her contract with Jim Begley and Janice Mentiplay-Smith from Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (GBCMA) with EPA Victoria funding.

Nikki was brought back to see the project through to completion, ensuring that the cultural vision, community connections, and environmental knowledge embedded remained intact.

The launch featured a powerful Welcome to Country, followed by corroboree dancing; didgeridoo performance; a weaving workshop with Yorta Yorta artist Glennis Briggs; cultural storytelling from Uncle Lance James; yarning about the Yorta Yorta people and its history from Cummeragunja; and a plant knowledge discussion with Lisa Farnsworth, Nikki, Jim and Janice.

The event brought together Rumbalara Elders, local Benalla elders Cheryl Cooper and Carol Alliman, an art exhibition from the Mokoan Creatives group including Catherine Fuller, Jana Brook, Doug Spowart, Victoria Cooper and local Benalla Elder Aunty Gayelene.

Information displays from the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority, Thales Ammunition, and GBCMA Indigenous seed bank added to the richness of the event.

The Benalla Library, represented by staff member Remay, offered colouring sheets and storytelling pages provided by Moira Shire, along with environmental activity packs that promoted care for native wildlife and local ecosystems and representing items from Clothing The Gap.

Remay spoke warmly about the library’s long-standing friendship with the Yorta Yorta Nation community and its commitment to supporting cultural learning within their space and whenever possible.

A collaborative art activity led by Aboriginal artist and educator Rebecca, supported by colleague Samantha Baddrock from the Wangaratta Art School, and Benalla school teacher Céline Forster.

Rebecca shared her appreciation at being able to support the event with an art activity that would help represent the day in a space that is incredibly important to her.

Many attendees contributed to the legacy artwork 'How the Birds Got Their Colours', including acclaimed local Wangaratta Yorta Yorta artist, Annie Cooper, whose sculptural pieces around Mokoan already tell profound cultural stories.

Local photographer Rene Martens (RenSmart Photography) filmed and photographed the event.

Adjacent to the circle, the Bush Tucker Garden showcases 26 Yorta Yorta traditional food, ceremonial and medicinal plants from the Mokoan native plant guide book.

Nikki said the completion of this project carries both cultural and personal significance as she had spent the last four years at Winton Wetlands creating all cultural education and bush kinder programs.

“Being able to come back and finish what I started means a lot, not just for me, but for our community,” she said.

“This space represents pride, connection, and a continuation of our story.

"It’s a place for our young ones to learn and for visitors to understand the richness of our culture.”

A special acknowledgment was made to DEECA Winton Wetlands operations manager Gil Cunneen and facilities and maintenance officer Matt Long for their hardworking efforts over the past three months in fencing, installing in-ground water sprinklers, and establishing the three garden beds that Nikki, her local elders and land neighbours planted 300 plants a month ago.

Supporter and participant Céline Forster said working with Nikki and Koori and ally students has led to further engagement and cultural development within the area.

“This positive support has allowed connections to form that are supporting our young people and community overall, and is extremely important to the community within the Yorta Yorta Nation from an ally's point of view too," Céline said.

"We’re looking forward to developing our relationships in this space with Nikki and the Yorta Yorta Nation community further.

"As the leading teacher in the Marrung lead role over a range of schools, based on the level of professionalism and quality exercised at this event, 2026 looks exciting for our student community, and the community overall.

"We feel very grateful that Nikki is back at Winton Wetlands and able to continue investing her time and expertise into this very special space.”