about wayapa

our story

We walk in the footsteps of a thousand generations

connect to earth

In 2014, Jamie Thomas and Sara Jones co-founded Wayapa Wuurrk®, which means “Connect to the Earth” in the language of the Maara & GunaiKurnai Peoples respectively.

Wayapa was created to change thinking around how we view the idea of what it means to be well with a focus on Indigenous thinking that includes learning how to develop a relationship with our environment through the concept of ancient earth mindfulness. No matter how many gym sessions we do, steps we count or stretch our bodies into various postures, we can’t be well if Mother Earth is sick.

So in 2013, Jamie and Sara spent a year developing Wayapa Wuurrk to create an internationally-accredited modality that would add the most important word “Earth” to the well-known concept of Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing.

Today, Wayapa Wuurrk isn’t just about Sara and Jamie’s story it belongs to the growing number of certified Wayapa Practitioners who come from all walks of life, heritage, backgrounds and religions but who all have one thing in common, the desire to share the wisdom of their own ancestors who use to live like the First Peoples of Australia, connected to the Earth so they lived life well.

jamie marloo thomas

Jamie Marloo Thomas is the Co-Founder Wayapa Wuurrk® and is a GunaiKurnai man and Maara descendant.  He is a conduit of knowledge from his Elders to the next generations. He understands the pain of disconnection from Country, which is why he is devoted to reconnecting people back to their responsibility for caring for the the planet.

Combining 26 years of vast professional experience in Men’s Health, Well-being, Drug and Alcohol Support, Family Violence Prevention, Youth Mentoring, Cultural Heritage and Ancestral Remains Repatriation, with his personal connection practice rooted in Aboriginal Dance and Ceremony, Jamie co-created Wayapa in consultation with his Elders and Community.

Ultimately Jamie’s work is about helping people reconnect to Earth, Spirit and their true Self, so they can experience the wellness secrets that the First Australians enjoyed for over 100,000 years.

sara jones

Sara Jones wants to live in a world where Indigenous Knowledge is rightfully respected. She is the co-founder of Wayapa Wuurrk®.

Having worked within the Indigenous Community for over 15 years, Sara believes life could be so much better, if only we listened to the wisdom of the world’s oldest living culture. Bringing a deep respect for Aboriginal culture, Sara combines her business experience within Community, with her passion for Energy Healing, Metaphysics and any natural wellness practices. She has experienced the deep healing and wellbeing affects of Wayapa® personally so is dedicated to sharing it with others for a better world.

Together with Jamie, Sara is passionate about challenging thinking and restoring connection within and between people, the Earth and Spirit.

our patrons

Wayapa Wuurrk® is proudly supported and endorsed by Jamie’s Cultural Elders. 

In the first image pictured with Jamie are Peek Whuurrung Kirrae Whuurrung Maara Senior Elders Aunty Daphne Lowe, Aunty Adeline Thomas & Uncle Rob Lowe.

In the second image with Jamie and Sara are Ngarrindjeri Senior Elders Uncle Major “Moogy” Sumner AO and Aunty Loretta “Bubbles” Sumner.

giving back

Wayapa Wuurrk is based on the Indigenous concept of reciprocity, that we must give to receive from Mother Earth. This concept also underpins our business philosophy so since running our very first Practitioner Diploma in 2016, we have always given away at least one scholarship to an Indigenous person for every diploma…sometimes it’s three. 

So whenever a workshop, 6 week immersion or a diploma course is purchased, a portion of the profit goes towards providing Indigenous people with scholarships to help create eco-centric, purpose-driven micro businesses.

Since 2016

31 x scholarships given away = $108,500

Additionally, we also seek sponsorships to fund extra Indigenous scholarships.

14 x sponsored scholarships given away = $49,000

Total value = $157,500

Wayapa Wuurrk Charities

As a business, we also proudly support the following charities:

  • Sea Shepherd
  • Planet Ark Seedling Bank
  • The Australian Dingo Foundation
  • Wildlife Victoria
  • International Fund for Animal Welfare
  • Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Fund (Bushfire Recovery)