The Indigenous members of Nyanda are all the descendants of Jung-Jung (Roger Bell) fully initiated Yagara man and Ida Sandy a descendant of Alexander Sandy a fully initiated Yugarapul man, both members of the South East Queensland Goori Society. It is because of their ancestry and their connection to country that Nyanda tour guides take great pride in being the educators and contemporary knowledge holders of cultural traditions. We view our tours not simply as a tourism business, but as a privilege and cultural obligation.
Madonna Thomson is a member of the Jagera People and is a grand-niece of the late Senator Neville Bonner. Madonna has worked with Aboriginal Communities in South East Queensland with a particular focus on developing and sharing traditional knowledge about management of the State’s natural resources and environment.
It’s been a natural progression into the tourism sphere, with so many new and fantastic employment opportunities being generated for Aboriginal people within this industry sector. Madonna is looking forward to further contributing to an extraordinary Aboriginal legacy for the Brisbane area.
James Bonner is a member of the Jagera People and a grand-nephew of the late Senator Neville Bonner. James has managed the coordination and implementation of numerous cultural heritage management plans and agreements on a diverse range of projects. James has had experience on no less than 35 Aboriginal archaeological excavations within South East Queensland.
His experience has enabled him to provide effective mentoring and training skills to guide the involvement and participation of Aboriginal Parties when undertaking mitigation and sub-surface investigation. It is this experience and these skills that he now wishes to pass on to Aboriginal Tour Guides and Experience Coordinators within the special Nyanda Cultural Program.
Serraya is a member of the Yagara and Kokatha people and a valuable contributer to the Nyanda cultural experience. She is the great grandniece of the late Senator Neville Bonner. Serraya is good with native bulrush twining and excellent at engaging with school kids!
Nick Thomson is Nyanda’s tour manager and responsible for the marketing and promotion of Nyanda’s experiences.