Australia’s culinary identity reflects the depth of our First Nations traditions, the abundance of our natural environment and the influence of the diverse communities who have made Australia home. To document Australia’s relationship with food, we’ve commissioned photographers and oral historians around the country to ensure that the histories and contributions of Australia’s food culture is represented in our collection.

One series documents the 2026 Bunya Dreaming festival on the Sunshine Coast.  

Led by Kabi Kabi Elder Aunty Beverly Hand, this festival is a contemporary reimagining of ancient Aboriginal gatherings that celebrates the deep physical and spiritual significance of the Bunya pine in First Nations cultures.  

Historically, these massive triennial harvests in regions like the Bunya Mountains and Baroon Pocket served as vital "Parliament House" sites where diverse tribes from as far as Victoria converged to share nutritious nuts, arrange marriages, resolve disputes, and conduct ceremonies under a sacred armistice.  

Re-established in 2007 by Kabi Kabi Elder Aunty Beverly Hand, the modern event continues this legacy by fostering reconciliation and truth-telling between Indigenous and broader communities through shared food, yarning, and cultural challenges. 

Explore more photos of the 2026 Bunya Dreaming festival on Trove