Bridge walks to celebrate Indigenous culture

By Christine McKee

Jun 26, 2025

Elder Aunty Betty leading a connections day walk across the Yarrawonga Mulwala Bridge with Many Mobs’ CEO Iris Troutman and daughter Sarah Hill carrying the Aboriginal Flag.

Next week is NAIDOC Week, which celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Here in Yarrawonga/Mulwala, two bridge walks will take place later this month to allow school children to take part in the events.

The Many Mobs Annual Connections Day Bridge Walk will take place on Wednesday, July 23, and The Yanda, which means ‘walk’ in Yorta Yorta language is on the following day at 10am.

Both walks start at Miss Ross Hill, just over the bridge in Mulwala and will cross the bridge into Yarrawonga.

This year marks the 9th Annual Many Mobs Cultural Connection Day Walk, a proud community event celebrating connection, culture, and Country.

Led by Many Mobs Indigenous Corporation, a grassroots Aboriginal-led organisation based in Yarrawonga, Many Mobs’ members and support have grown interstate to NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

Many Mobs was founded in 2016 by Aunty Iris Troutman and Sarah Hill with a vision to strengthen culture and community.

One powerful moment came when co-founder Sarah Hill attended a local emergency department and discovered there was no option to identify as Aboriginal on the hospital admission form.

Her experience sparked ongoing advocacy to improve cultural safety across systems including hospitals, schools, shires, and community services ensuring that Aboriginal people were recognised, respected, and supported in these spaces.

From the early days of raising the Aboriginal flag in Yarrawonga at both the shire offices and the police station, to now leading some of the region’s most culturally significant events, the organisation has become a strong voice for connection, pride, and inclusion.

Over the years, Many Mobs has worked in partnership with local councils, shires, schools, and service providers to advocate for meaningful change.

The Many Mobs Cultural Connection Day Walk brings together Elders, families, schools, service providers, and community members both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal in a celebration of culture, community, and unity.

“This year’s event is especially meaningful as it aligns with the 2025 NAIDOC Week theme: Strength, Vision, Legacy, honouring the resilience of our people, the wisdom and vision of our Elders, and the legacy we continue to build for future generations,” Ms Hill said.

“It’s a powerful day centred on bringing people together creating space for connection, reflection, and cultural understanding.

“The walk is an opportunity to stand in solidarity, celebrate community strength, and honour the continued presence and contributions of Aboriginal people and culture in this region.”

Beyond the walk, Many Mobs continues to bring cultural experiences to the region through events like the Dunggula Cultural Festival, weaving workshops, art workshops with local and surrounding Aboriginal artists, cultural awareness programs, and yarn-up sessions.

The organisation supports Aboriginal people wherever they are located, helping them create safe spaces to have a yarn and make a difference in their local communities, keeping culture strong, creating safe spaces, and fostering two-way learning.

“This will be the ninth year connecting the community, embracing heritage and enjoying the beautiful scenery together on this special day,” Many Mobs’ CEO, Aunty Iris said.

“There will be a Welcome to Country, walk to Yarrawonga Foreshore, speakers, Aboriginal stalls from where you can purchase items and fun activities for the kids.

“Everyone is so welcome to join us, we appreciate the involvement of the local community, which is growing all the time.”

On Thursday, July 24 The Yanda, organised by Aunty Molly with the Good Start Early Learning Centre, will follow the same route across the bridge into Yarrawonga.

“Yanda is a small word, which carries a deep meaning,” Aunty Molly said.

“It’s a way of saying we move as one, to walk forward, to walk with and to walk together.

“We walk together to strengthen the next generation; strength, vision and legacy.”

The walk starts at 10am, at Miss Ross Hill, with a smoking ceremony, then the walk across the bridge and along the Yarrawonga foreshore to Kennedy Park where there will be activities.

Lunch is provided by Yarrawonga Health, and the event is supported by Lions Club of Yarrawonga, Bunnings, Moira Shire Council, local schools and Yarrawonga Mulwala Community and Learning Centre.