Cultural Identity & Country
Clan
Our community includes members living in Trouwerner (Tasmania) and across mainland Australia
We are the people of the Pairrebeene/Trawlwoolway clans anddirect descendants of the Coastal Plains Nation of Trouwerner (northeast Tasmania). We trace our heritage through our ancestral grandfather Mannalargenna, the revered bungana (leader) of the Coastal Plains Nation, and our ancestral grandmothers, Tyereelore (Bass Strait women).
Each December, members gather for Mannalargenna Day, an annual celebration of our ancestral grandfather, the revered bungana (leader) and formidable warrior. The event strengthens members’ connections to clan and Country.
Mannalargenna Trawlwoolway Aboriginal Corporation (MTWAC)aspires to build a connected community grounded in clan, culture and Country, while welcoming meaningful engagement with the wider community in which we live and work.
Culture
Guided by the Circle of Elders and grounded in our identity as Pairrebeene/Trawlwoolway people, our active and committed community celebrates, shares and practices the culture,knowledge and responsibilities passed down by our ancestors.
We work to sustain our cultural identity by strengthening traditional and contemporary knowledge, caring for our clan estates and sea Country, supporting community health and wellbeing, and creating employment and business opportunities that enable our people to thrive.
We aspire to resume our custodial responsibilities across the lands, seas and skies of the Coastal Plains Nation.
Country
The Coastal Plains Nation comprises the Pairrebeene/Trawlwoolway, Peeberrangner, Leenerrerter, Pinterrairer, Pyemmairrenerpairrener, Leenethmairrener and Plennerremairemenner clans. Our clan estates follow the major riverways flowing from our high Country to our sea Country.
The lands, waters, and skies of the Coastal Plains Nation are deeply connected to our culture, identity, and way of life. They hold the stories, traditions, and knowledge that have been passed down through generations and continue to shape our community today.
As a community, we hold strong connections to Country and strong aspirations to care for and protect it for future generations. Through cultural practice, community gatherings, land and sea management, and the sharing of knowledge, we continue to celebrate and strengthen our relationship with Country.
Tebrakunna
Tebrakunna Country in north-east Tasmania serves as the ancestral homeland and cultural core for MTWAC members. The region preserves the legacy of the revered leader Mannalargenna, whose resistance and diplomacy during the colonial era continue to guide current community stewardship. MTWAC maintains this ancestral responsibility through the Tebrakunna Ranger Program, cultural heritage preservation, and educational initiatives that foster an Aboriginal-led future.
Noonamena (our place)
Noonameena where MTWAC's office is located is situated on the Country of the three clans of the Stoney Creek Nation (language group) - the Tyerrenoterpanner, the Leterremairrener and the Panninher.
We meet near the merging place of three important river systems- our longest river, known as South Esk River, has at least three names: Mangana Lienta (or big river where it begins under Ben Lomond), Moorronnoe (the winding/dancing water through places such as Longford and Hadspen) and finally Pleepertoommelar – meaning flowing or perhaps rapid water, as it is known as it enters the Gorge and meets the headwater of the Tamar River (Kunermurlukeker) and the mouth of the North Esk River (Lakekellar). We also acknowledge the name changes from Kunermurlukeker to Ponrabbel as the freshwater changes to salt.
