Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Wurundjeri Stories Interpretive Signage Trail Unveiling Event


I was invited to attend the unveiling of Wurundjeri Stories, an interpretive signage trail, at Pound Bend Reserve in Warrandyte State Park, Victoria.


On Thursday 14 August 2014 Wurundjeri Elders Uncle Colin Hunter jr, Aunty Alice Kolasa and Aunty Kitty Coombes together with Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson took turns in unveiling the signs and reading the stories.

Each sign shares topics that relate to the Wurundjeri history, culture, traditional life and people associated with this sacred site.


Womin-jeka Wurundjeri Biik
Welcome to Wurundjeri Country


Womin-jeka (Welcome) to Pound Bend, a central living and gathering place for the Wurundjeri people from time immemorial. The Wurundjeri people welcome you to the sacred site and in turn ask that you respect and care for this country.

'Wurundjeri Stories' is a yerrin barring (bush path) comprising six interpretive signs located along the river path, moving upstream. This trail has been developed in partnership with Wurundjeri Elders to reflect their history, culture and traditional life at Pound Bend. Each sign includes a section entitled 'Bunjil's Challenge' offering activities for children.


The sign at the start of the trail:
'Womin-jeka Wurundjeri Biik Welcome to Wurundjeri Country' depicts Figures in Possum Skin Cloaks by William Barak, 1898 Courtesy of the National Gallery of Victoria.

© Barbara Oehring 2014


Frank O'Neill plays the didgeridoo.

© Barbara Oehring 2014


Uncle Colin Hunter jr.

© Barbara Oehring 2014




Information guides 'Wurundjeri Stories at Pound Bend' were available for visitors to take home.

© Barbara Oehring 2014


Some of the gathering.

© Barbara Oehring 2014



© Barbara Oehring 2014



Aunty Kitty and Aunty Alice unveil the first sign of the trail.

© Barbara Oehring 2014


Walking along the trail.

© Barbara Oehring 2014



Mandy Nicholson observes a pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos above.

© Barbara Oehring 2014




© Barbara Oehring 2014




Mandy speaks about Wurundjeri Bush Tucker, Medicine and Tools.
Artwork: Traditional Tools and Bush Tucker by Mandy Nicholson, 2014.

© Barbara Oehring 2014



© Barbara Oehring 2014



© Barbara Oehring 2014



© Barbara Oehring 2014



© Barbara Oehring 2014


Aunty Kitty Coombes and Aunty Alice Kolasa at the end of the Wurundjeri Stories Interpretive Signage Trail Unveiling event. 

© Barbara Oehring 2014



The project was a collaboration by Manningham City, Wurundjeri Tribe Council, Parks Victoria, Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and Manningham Reconciliation.



Monday, August 11, 2014

David Helfgott @ Montrose




It was a delight to see David Helfgott perform at Montrose Town Centre on Sunday 10 August 2014 and to meet him afterwards. His enthusiasm, personal style of music making and obvious love for people made for a very joyful Sunday afternoon.

Before the show Gillian Helfgott, the artist's wife, gave an introductory talk. She spoke about the program - which included Chopin and Liszt - and also about their recent European tour where David played to a large audience in Turkey and his concerts in Vienna's Mozarthalle and Zurich Tonhalle.

David Helfgott was born in Melbourne in 1947. He is an artist of extraordinary ability. Geoffrey Rush's Oscar-winning portrayal of David's life in the movie Shine made David one of the world's most recognisable classical musicians.


© Barbara Oehring 2014




© Barbara Oehring 2014





© Barbara Oehring 2014



After the concert Gillian Helfgott mingles with the audience.

© Barbara Oehring 2014



Smiles and hugs abound.

© Barbara Oehring 2014




© Barbara Oehring 2014




Malcolm Russell, Yarra Ranges Regional Arts Co-ordinator (urban) and Gillian Helfgott.
© Barbara Oehring 2014

 


© Barbara Oehring 2014




© Barbara Oehring 2014




© Barbara Oehring 2014




© Barbara Oehring 2014


The concert was part of Classical Tracks 2014 in the Yarra Ranges Culture Tracks Program.