Gyak Project

Gyak is the ancient name of the critically endangered Northern Corroboree Frog, a vital species Taronga is committed to conserving for generations to come. The Gyak in-situ project works on the home Country of the Wolgalu and Wiradjuri people of New South Wales to bring Elders, scientists, conservationists, students, and family together, to tell a modern conservation story through cultural dance and the ancient knowledge of this frog and its people.

Local students from Brungle Public School, Tumut High School, Burabinya Girls Group, Taronga Zoo’s Burbangana Program and Taronga’s School Based Apprenticeship and Trainee program were the recipients and voices of this project. Together they developed a dance, with help from Bangarra Dance Theatre, to tell this important story. Wolgalu representative and Community leader Shane Herrington said, “This is the first time our mob have danced and told stories on Gyak Country in almost 200 years. Putting Gyak back on Country, puts our people back on Country”.

The Gyak in-situ project first commenced in March 2022. This is a wonderful collaboration between Taronga, Brungle and Tumut Aboriginal Land Council, the NSW Department of Environment, Brungle Primary School, the University of Wollongong, Buugang Wambaal Project and Bangarra Dance Theatre.

The future of conservation, and our futures, are dependent on what happens now. To decolonise, reimagine, and transform conservation, the students of Brungle School and Taronga share their Gyak Dance as embodied storytelling, and hope that this inspires you to follow the leadership, guidance, and knowledges of young people in conservation praxes. Through our project we reflect on the importance of relationships and invite you to listen to and learn with us.