Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following pages may contain images of deceased persons.

What does ngooleek or belonging really mean? For us, it’s our connection to everything about Healesville - the mountains, rivers and creeks, the forests, the birds and animals, the people, our history, the stories and characters, our community. 

As local Aboriginal elder Dave Wandin says – “It’s our country. Heal country and heal ourselves”

This is a project grounded in place, people and shared responsibility. Based in Healesville, it acknowledges the enduring connection that local Indigenous communities, ie the Wurundjeri people, have with this land, and invites all of us to reflect on what it means to belong – to Country, to community and to one another.

Ngooleek seeks to engage thoughtfully with ideas of belonging, healing, and place. This is not about speaking for Traditional Owners, but about listening, acknowledging, and contributing with care. The information presented draws only from publicly available resources

At its heart, Ngooleek is a story of building and rebuilding community, recognising that what Indigenous people call Country is deeply aligned with what we are learning to understand, honour, and connect with.

Wine plays a central role, not just as a product, but as a conduit of connection. It brings people together, tells the story of the land, and fosters community. Ngooleek celebrates this potential, asking how wine, place and people can come together in more meaningful, grounded and generous ways.