Ngaran Ngaran Deep Dive 2024
Sunday 13 – Tuesday 15 October 2024 • Gulaga Creation
South Coast, NSW
Renew your approach to leadership by discovering more about stewardship, values and sustainability as you immerse yourself in the world’s oldest living cultures.
The Deep Dive provides a platform for candid, productive discussions between leaders. It is a time for personal growth and reflection. Join others who are passionate about creating a new world of work and being; who are open to an ancient cultural way of knowing.
All meals and two nights accommodation are included, leaving you to focus on the most pressing questions in contemporary leadership.The Deep Dive begins with a Welcome to Country on the Sunday night, a guided walk day on Monday, involving a steady climb up Galaga, and ends late morning Tuesday.
What you will learn
After immersing in the wisdom of the world’s oldest living cultures, we will spend time exploring questions relating to leadership, culture and guiding systemic transformation through the lens of local and global leadership challenges.
Attend the Deep Dive to:
Participate in and witness a traditional Aboriginal ceremony, dance, yidaki (didgeridoo), and yarning circles
Our leaders
Dwayne ‘Naja’ Bannon-Harrison
Dwayne is a Yuin-Ngarrugu descendant with over two decades of experience along with nine generations of cultural teachings passed down. He and his wife, Amelia, have created the Indigenous Twist food entity — Mirritya Mundya, which means ‘Hungry Blackfish’ in Ngarrugu language — which caters for most of the meals during the retreat, allowing for a truly enriching experience.
Dwayne’s late grandfather, Uncle Max Djarla Dulumunmun Harrison, taught his culture to non-indigenous people for 50 years. His grandfather did the same in the 1800s. Dwayne, whose traditional name ‘Naja’ means “strong little fella”, began leading Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness tours thirteen years ago. “Grandfather says we have to give our culture away to keep it,” he says.
Dwayne and the family team at Ngaran Ngaran Culture Awareness invite all walks of life onto Yuin country to learn and immerse themselves in the world’s oldest living culture.
Other Leaders
A small group of coaches and facilitators will join this Deep Dive to lead small group work and help you with your personal reflection.
What past Deep Divers are saying
If you ever see an opportunity to visit Yuin country, this is a must do experience.
– Annabel Rattigan, Leadership Trainer, Our Community
Deep Dive attendee 2021
“Today is the first day of the rest of your life,” said Dwayne, our aboriginal guide as he welcomed the day and said thank-you to Grandfather Sun.
At the top of an emotionally charged 12km hike to the top of Gulaga mountain, we were taken on a journey exploring the history and the sacred sites of Gulaga. We indulged in the Dreamtime stories and embraced Mother Earth.
Over 2 days, I learnt the beauty of storytelling, the importance of being present and so much more.
– Belinda Coates, CEO, ADP Consulting
Deep Dive attendee 2021
Thanks so much for making this incredible experience possible Rachel Slattery. I learned so much, thank you Dwayne Bannon-Harrison for your time and teaching which has had a profound effect on me, and thanks to Alison Cameron for your wisdom and leadership. It was an unforgettable time.
– Meredith Roach, Group Manager Corporate Social Responsibility, The Star Entertainment Group
Deep Dive attendee 2021
Itinerary Guide
Gulaga Creation
Sun 13 Oct
- Attendees to arrive and check in
- Traditional welcome and smoking ceremony
- Indigenous Twist dinner
- Traditional reflection yarning circle
Mon 14 Oct
- Sunrise ceremony
- Indigenous Twist breakfast
- Gulaga National Park guided walk day tour w/ Indigenous Twist packed lunch
- Visit the sacred Gulaga Mountain to look, listen and see what Gulaga has to offer and its importance to the Yuin people, from cultural knowledge handed down from generation to generation. This is the core aspect of the experience and takes most of the day. It is a steady climb suitable for those of at least moderate fitness.
- Deep Dive dinner
- Traditional reflection yarning circle
Tue 15 Oct
- Relaxed Breakfast
- Reflections on Gulaga
- Deep Dive Sessions with facilitators
- Early Lunch in Tilba Tilba
This is only a rough itinerary guide — subject to change.
More Information
What is the Ngaran Ngaran Deep Dive?
- The Ngaran Ngaran Deep Dive is a retreat for leaders to come together to immerse in Indigenous culture. The experience will help individuals unlock a new way of looking at the world, themselves and their work to develop new strategies and tools to build their capacity for resilience.
How much does the Deep Dive cost?
- Prices range from $2000 to $3400 depending on type of accommodation (Twin/Shared/Private).
- Please note that these prices include all food and accommodation. The price does not include travel costs to reach the location.
When is the Ngaran Ngaran Deep Dive?
- The Ngaran Ngaran Deep Dive is happening in October 2024 (13th-15th) Attendees are to arrive by 6.30pm on the first day (Sunday) and the retreat will end after breakfast on the last day (Tuesday).
Where is the Ngaran Ngaran Deep Dive?
- Most attendees will stay at Mystery Bay Cottages.
How do I know if I am ready for the Deep Dive?
- This Deep Dive is an extremely impactful, immersive and enriching experience that will allow you to learn through doing and connecting with the environment. Be ready to unlearn what you think you know, and be open to learning what you don’t already know. The experiences and conversations to be had during this retreat are unlike what you are used to — be prepared to go on a journey of personal discovery and untap new ways of approaching your work and life.
How do I get there?
- Narooma and the neighbouring Tilba region are located on Yuin Country just over 4 hours and 30 minutes drive down the south coast from Sydney, 3 hours drive east of Canberra, and 8 hours drive north-east of Melbourne. There are direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne to and from nearby Moruya (or Merimbula) and we plan to coordinate transfers from there, and possibly Canberra and Sydney, depending on demand.
What should I bring?
- As this experience includes outdoor walking tours, we recommend guests bring comfortable walking shoes, a backpack, water bottle and a hat. The weather on top of the mountain is different to below, so it is recommended to pack sunscreen alongside wet weather gear, warm clothes (including for instance a beanie, gloves and a warm jacket). During the Deep Dive, casual comfortable clothes are perfect. And time and weather permitting, there is a beach for those who want a swim!
Do I need to be physically fit?
- The Gulaga Creation National Park walk day tour on the Monday includes a 12km return walk in the national park. A moderate to average level of fitness will ensure you enjoy the journey uphill and downhill on Gulaga.This experience is for the outdoor adventurer, spiritual seeker and fitter visitor. (Bear in mind the Mountain often has different weather so be ready for wind and rain and perhaps a soggy walk).
Will my dietary requirements be catered for?
- We can cater for the following dietary requirements: vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, lactose-free, nut allergy. If you have any other dietary requirements, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate.
What types of accommodation will be available?
- We anticipate most attendees will stay at Mystery Bay Cottages. Mystery Bay Cottages offers various options: 2 bedroom Cottages and 1-2 bedroom Cabins. If choosing private accommodation, you will be provided with your own cabin; shared accommodation, you will have your own private bedroom in a shared cabin or cottage; and twin accommodation, you will share a room with a friend or spouse (with twin singles or a double bed) in a shared cabin or cottage.
If I choose shared accommodation, will I be sharing a room with someone else?
- Attendees will share living spaces but have their own private bedrooms (unless you have opted for ‘twin accommodation’ to share a bedroom with a spouse/colleague/friend).
Will I have reception/internet access at the retreat?
- While we encourage you to disconnect during the Deep Dive, there is good phone reception at the Mystery Bay Cottages and a wireless internet facility available, as well as the option to dial in at the main office. During Monday there is very little opportunity to use phones, and coverage is patchy.