There are many stories about the Hairy Beka, many of them lost. The story I know is about the creature who lived in the bush. It was very tall and was covered in long white hair and had a strong foul odour. When it walked, its bones made a cracking sound, and it would come around at night and watch when the children were sitting around the campfire. It was known to put the children in its dilly bag. but it would chant a song before grabbing the children and taking them away. (Deewin (this one) Gomendaa (you there) Womigawin (and you) Womingenda and you as well. The Hairy Beka is a well-known story, an old legend amongst the Yorta-Yorta people, to teach children respect, and not to wander too far from camp and to respect fire. This story was passed on by my grandmother (Kooka) Yarmuk, of the Ulupna Clan to her grandchildren. - Aunty Zeta Thomson Artist Bio Aunty Zeta is a well-regarded Woi-wurrung Wurundjeri and Yorta Yorta Traditional Owner, Knowledge Holder, Keeper of Language and Elder who has strong links to her ancestral lands. Aunty Zeta was honoured with a solo exhibition of her original works to commemorate the opening of Birrarung Gallery, Bunjilaka, Melbourne Museum in November 2000. Other exhibitions include a solo exhibition at Burrinja Gallery in 1999, and Deadly Arts, Arts Victoria, 2001. She has also exhibited at Parliament House in Sydney, Federation Estate in Ringwood, North Melbourne Town Hall, Prahran Town Hall and in New Zealand. Aunty Zeta was honoured by the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2019 and in 2020, had her work ‘Mookies Around the Waterhole’ laminated to one of Melbourne’s iconic trams. She is also the recipient of the Regional Champion Award for the Eastern Metropolitan Region Aboriginal Community Justice Awards in 2021, and the Certificate of Appreciation for Wominjeka Parkville, Monash University. In 2022, Aunty Zeta was the recipient of the Dr Alf Bamblett Memorial Award for the Victorian Aboriginal Community Justice Awards and currently sits on the Koorie Court as a respected Elder, along with the Board of Directors for The Torch.

A multimedia presentation showcasing Dreaming Stories belonging to the Yorta Yorta People, featuring artwork by Indigenous artist Zeta Thomson.CD-ROMyorta yorta, aunty zeta thomson, dreaming stories, folklore, artwork

Bartja and Mayila, Yurri's Manung and Yurri's Birthday. Author Sue Atkinson (Yorta Yorta). Recorded by Aunty Zeta Thomson a Yorta Yorta Elder.