Noel Butler

Noel Butler is a respected Budawang Elder of the Yuin Nation on the South Coast of New South Wales. For more than three decades, he has dedicated his life to sharing the deep cultural, linguistic, ecological and spiritual knowledge of his people.

As a qualified teacher, mentor, horticulturalist, chef, historian and cultural educator, Noel — together with his wife Trish founded Nura Gunyu (“Swan Country” in Dhurga), a program offering immersive cultural walks, bush-food cooking, camps, workshops and Welcome ceremonies. Together, they have welcomed both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, inviting them to learn and connect with Country.

Noel’s childhood was intimately connected to the land and sea: growing up in a family of eight, he and his siblings gathered their own food from bush and ocean, developing practical ecological knowledge passed down from his Elders. This early life shaped his passion for sustainability and conservation, values he now shares globally through cultural education, public speaking and storytelling.

He is an accomplished wood-artist, creating both traditional and contemporary works honouring Yuin heritage and Country. His pieces blend ancestral techniques with modern expression.

Noel is also a strong advocate for environmental stewardship. Reflecting on the loss and regeneration of land after bushfire, he said: “We’ve got a long way to go to share the knowledge of the longest living continuous culture known to humans … We need Australians to take it up and value it.”

As a voice for healing Country, community and culture, Noel remains committed to sharing ancient wisdom nurturing respect for land, heritage and each other for generations to come.