General News
27 August, 2024
Interpretive garden unveiled
After nearly three years, Central Goldfields Art Gallery’s Indigenous Interpretive Garden was officially unveiled following a cultural activation ceremony last Thursday.
Located alongside the gallery in Neill Street, the new reflective space features plants and artwork significant to the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
The project was jointly funded by the Victorian Government and the Central Goldfields Shire Council ($75,000), with Regional Development Victoria granting $225,000.
Central Goldfields Shire Council mayor Liesbeth Long said she was amazed to see this celebration of Dja Dja Wurrung culture come together.
“I stood there with Martha Haylett six months before and it was just a dust bowl and it used to be a car park — it’s a real yin and yang to see that garden,” she said.
“It was just stunning, beyond my wildest dreams, I didn’t know what it was going to end up looking like but I think it really does justice to the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
“I’m looking forward to getting a coffee, sitting there and just enjoying it.”
Officially titled garingilang gatjin wii, meaning water and fire garden, the garden was designed collaboratively by council and the Dja Dja Wurrung Clan Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA).
According to Dja Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter, the implementation of features such as rockwells, a feature plaque and symbolic artwork makes the space valuable.
“It’s very emotional and it’s a little bit of a homecoming when you can create pieces of country through landscaping but also add an artistic design flair that has cultural influence,” he said.
“This is something that is designed and wanted by the Dja Dja Wurrung people, but also has a purpose for all community.
“Hopefully it will invoke a little bit of curiosity and interest with people and we hope that people will very simply enjoy, sit down and immerse themselves in the natural world.”
The project continues a partnership between DJAARA and council that produced The Welcome Stranger digital animation screened at the Maryborough Visitor Centre exploring the different perspectives of the story of gold in Central Victoria.
“The opening was a culmination of a very deep and inspiring relationship that we have been able to build with DJAARA so it was fantastic to see that come to life,” council’s manager of tourism, events and culture, Rosalie Hastwell said.
“The intention for the garden was to be DJAARA-led, we were looking to DJAARA and listening to what their vision was for the garden.
“There were a lot of discussions about the elements of fire and water as well as fine details about which plants and rocks would be chosen, the importance of the rock pools and how that all weaves together.
“Going forward we would very much hope that there are opportunities to work together.”
The idea for the garden was pitched as a complementary feature of the $2 million Central Goldfields Art Gallery Revitalisation project.
Ms Hastwell said visitors to the gallery are already starting to show intrigue for the new space.
“The architecture of the gallery allows you to be inside the gallery and look out to the garden — it’s a beautiful combination of experiences,” she said.
“From a tourism perspective, we have the data that shows there is a growing interest in understanding about First Nations culture and the garden gives another opportunity for that to happen.”
