To celebrate the opening of the new Nyanggan Gapi Café, managed by Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation at Sealy Lookout within Orara East State Forest, locals and visitors were treated to an afternoon of unforgettable traditional dances and flavours last Friday.

Forestry Corporation is proud to partner with Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, which is a not-for-profit organisation that supports local Goori Learning Centres, cultural camps and Gumbaynggirr language revitalisation programs, as well as a range of other projects.

“The launch was a massive success – I don’t think it could have gone any better! Everyone was really relaxed and we all had a great afternoon in the forest,” said Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation’s Coordinator, Clark Webb.

“We served up some fantastic Indigenous flavours, including lemon myrtle chicken skewers and cordials made with local lemon myrtle bush. We had kangaroo meatballs and delicious Indigenous spices and sauces thanks to Outback Pride.”

As well as showcasing the café’s tasty and nutritious fare, traditional dancers performed using the Gumbaynggirr language, demonstrating the role of language in reconnecting the local Indigenous community to culture.

“The opportunity to impart this language is just so important to our vision,” Mr Webb said.

“Having our people involved in these projects is part of our vision of being a self-sufficient corporation. We redistribute funds to our learning centres and language revitalisation programs that help our children with reading and writing, while also being knowledgeable and proud of who they are as Aboriginal people.”

“The café is a really exciting addition to Sealy Lookout, which was named as one of Australia’s top three tourist attractions at the Australian Tourism Awards last month,” Forestry Corporation’s Partnerships Leader Holly James said.

“With over 180,000 people visiting Sealy Lookout last year, we’re excited that visitors will now be able to grab a great coffee whilst support the local Aboriginal community and enjoying the stunning views.”

The Nyanggan Gapi Café is now open for business, trading from 8:30am to 2pm, Wednesday to Sunday each week.

For more information about Bularri Muurlay Nyanggan Aboriginal Corporation, visit https://bmnac.org.au

For more information about Forestry Corporation of NSW, visit www.forestrycorporation.com.au

Media contact: Amanda McLeod 0408 779 903 | 9407 4265