#102 Twin Lakes Cultural Park

A return to Country, restoration & incredible bush products success

Bruno Dann is a Traditional Custodian of Nyul Nyul Country, and together with partner Marion, they’ve spent a little over 20 years creating the incredible success story that is Twin Lakes Cultural Park. Lying to the north of Broome on the Dampier Peninsula in far north Western Australia, Twin Lakes had been stripped of its First Peoples, and badly neglected. But Bruno still found a way to learn from the old people on this Country when he was a boy, and later returned as an older man.

While facing the heartbreak of loss here, he set about regenerating his Country, its culture, and abundant wild harvest. Together with Marion, and in the face of all kinds of challenges, they’ve forged a successful business selling a growing range of bush products, and employing hundreds of people. And all through a series of unexpected connections with people and companies they regard more as family – doing business in a way where business doesn’t quite feel like the right word.

Marion, Anthony & Bruno, walking the salt flats at Twin Lakes Cultural Park (pic: Olivia Cheng).

“It’s kind of sad, but it’s true. But there’s nothing we can really do, you know. You gotta accept it, what’s done is done. Just try and see what you can do with it, and how you can go about it. Life is very special for us all. ”

— Bruno Dann

Bruno and Marion haven’t been on a podcast before. So what a privilege this was. Essentially, the three of us just put microphones on while we walked Country on two consecutive mornings. What emerged on both mornings was so distinct, rare and profound, I had to share both with you. So this episode will come to you in two parts. What you’ll hear today is our conversation on the first morning, as this cherished elder guides us through once again thriving Country. It’s an enthralling tour of land, sea, plants, animals, fire, business, politics, life stories and spirit.

So join us on Country for more of a sense of what’s at stake here right now, what’s working so well, and how we can back and explore more opportunities like this together – especially in a fraught native products space where new ways are sorely needed.

Note: the Jock they refer to is of Master Chef fame. And while the wind plays a little havoc at times, and Bruno was suffering a bit of a cough, I don't think you'll find those things diminish the experience of this one.

More on Bruno: he is also an Indigenous Artist, Indigenous Landcare and Culture Specialist and the first Chairperson of Manowan Aboriginal Corporation.

Part 1 of this episode was recorded on-location at Twin Lakes Cultural Park, on Nyul Nyul Country, on the Dampier Peninsula in the West Kimberley region of Western Australia, on 5 August 2021.

With thanks to filmmaker and podcast subscriber Todd Delfs for introducing us to Bruno and Marion.

Click on the photos below for full view, and hover over them for descriptions where they’ve been added. All photos by Olivia Cheng unless noted.