Eugene Eades
Goreng Noongar Elder
“What brings joy to me in particular is when I see a difference in someone’s life once they’ve come out here [to Nowanup] and had time out and had an experience of a lifetime — families come out to do seed collecting and then the planting… and watching these people grow in cultural knowledge—Noongars call it mabarn.”
Eugene Eades: Coming back to Country
Eugene Eades has transformed Nowanup into a beacon of hope through extraordinary leadership, welcoming thousands to engage with the land. Central to his journey is a deep connection to Noongar culture and a commitment to learning from Elders whereby “instructions were given to me by the Elders all the way through”. Since 2005, he has focused on restoring the land, emphasizing its cultural significance and ecological health. Under his guidance, the 754-hectare Nowanup property has been rejuvenated, providing habitats for wildlife and becoming a “Bush University” for both Noongar and non-Indigenous people. Eugene's programs, including cultural plantings and a Ranger team, emphasize collaboration and healing, encapsulated in the motto “Healing Land, Healing People.” Over 16,000 visitors have participated in workshops and camps, fostering cross-cultural connections. Eugene envisions a world awakened by the shared stories and experiences at Nowanup, where the land teaches humanity about care and responsibility, echoing the wisdom of the ancestors.
Eugene Eades: Coming back to Country
Eugene Eades is a Goreng - Menang Elder, and since 2006 he has played a pivotal role in creating a powerful healing and cross-cultural gathering place on a former farm, now called Nowanup.
Nowanup: Healing land, healing people
Under the extraordinary leadership and dedication of Elder Eugene Eades, Nowanup has become a beacon of hope, a force for cross-cultural sharing and a powerful healing place.
Nowanup: Healing country, healing people
This case study from the WA Landcare Network tells the story of the collaboration between the Noongar community and environmental groups that has resulted in Nowanup, a genuinely special place where country is being restored to health and people are coming back to the land.
Giving back to country: Chingarrup Sanctuary
From Green Skills, this film highlights the wonderful environmental restoration and citizen science activities carried at Chingarrup Sanctuary - a 576 hectare bush property near Boxwood Hill, on Western Australia's south coast.
Healing country on the Gondwana Link
From Greening Australia a short film about the restoration of habitat in the shadow of the Stirling Ranges National Park, in partnership with the Nowanup Rangers.