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.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Frank O'Neill plays the didgeridoo.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Uncle Colin Hunter jr.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Information guides 'Wurundjeri Stories at Pound Bend' were available for visitors to take home.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Some of the gathering.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Aunty Kitty and Aunty Alice unveil the first sign of the trail.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Walking along the trail.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Mandy Nicholson observes a pair of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos above.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Mandy speaks about Wurundjeri Bush Tucker, Medicine and Tools.
Artwork: Traditional Tools and Bush Tucker by Mandy Nicholson, 2014.
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
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| © Barbara Oehring 2014 |
Aunty Kitty Coombes and Aunty Alice Kolasa at the end of the Wurundjeri Stories Interpretive Signage Trail Unveiling event.
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© Barbara Oehring 2014
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The project was a collaboration by Manningham City, Wurundjeri Tribe Council, Parks
Victoria, Office of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria and Manningham
Reconciliation.
