In a historic event, people of the Yuin Nation gathered en masse in the foothills of Mother Gulaga to celebrate unity through traditional dance.
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The Tilba Tilba event was held simultaneously with others across Australia as part of "Nation Dance", which called for people to dance on country as one at the same time.
The 'bunaan' - corroboree in the Djirringanj and Dhurga languages - was led by Yuin elder Warren Foster Sr who helped plan the Tilba event after seeing a call-out on Facebook by Message Stick Walker Alwyn Doolan.
"He put the idea out there for the nation to come together in dance," Uncle Warren said.
"Yuin Nation people travelled from around NSW and Victoria to take part in the bunaan and we were happy to be joined by all our non-Indigenous brothers and sisters," Uncle Warren said.
Well over 100 dancers gathered and danced in the ceremonial circle - according to Uncle Warren there was no rehearsal, "it was straight out and dance the story".
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Speaking to Uncle Warren the following morning, it was clear he was exhausted, his voice barely there.
"We were all tired but energised, it was a real special day for the whole South Coast and also for our elders and ancestors. It makes them happy and it gives our spirit the strength that we need to walk on," he said.
"For me personally it was a bit overwhelming, but after I thought about it and what we did, I knew how proud people would be feeling.
"I would really like to say thank you to everyone that came along to the bunaan and I hope everyone enjoyed the day as much as we did dancing and bringing unity into Yuin Country."
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After about three hours of dance and song a slight drizzle began to fall from the low hanging clouds blanketing Mother Gulaga. Although it wasn't enough to dampen the dry earth on which the dancers stomped, it did bring about a sense of relief
