Walkin’ Birrarung – The Yarra River Cultural Walk

Thursday 3 June 2010, 1:31 PM
By The Team | Posted in Places

As Australia celebrates National Reconciliation Week, you may be wondering how you can learn more about Melbourne’s Indigenous community and culture. Those winter winds will tempt you to cosy up inside and see what the world wide web says on the subject, but we’ve got a better idea. Throw on your mittens, scarves and jackets – we’re walkin’ Birrarung.

Developed and led by master storyteller Dean Stewart, this walk meanders along the banks of the Yarra, giving you a tangible taste of the life on the land before European settlement that you won’t get from any book or website. 

We chat to Dean about Walkin’ Birrarung – The Yarra River Cultural Walk.

The walk starts at Enterprize Park. What’s significant about this area?

Enterprize Park is Melbourne’s ’Botany Bay’. This site marks the area of the first permanent white colonial settlement of the entire Port Phillip region. For the traditional Aboriginal community, the Kulin, this site was a meeting place filled with the sound of tumbling waterfalls and the songs of abundant wildlife.

Throughout the tour you ask people to stop, watch and listen for signs of the natural landscape. What do people discover and what are their reactions?

It’s not just to stop and listen for signs of the natural landscape, but very much to stop and listen to their own personal space within the landscape. To listen not just with their ears, but with their heart. Our role is to try to change people’s concept of reality on this special cultural walk.

 People who share in our experience uncover an unknown history whether they’re our corporate execs, our international and local tourists, or amoung the innumerable grade fours and 15-year-olds. All are moved at a level deeper than what they thought they would be a part of.

What exists along the river today that has links back to sites, landmarks, and traditions of the Kulin people?

It’s a great question, because for me, as a Wemba/Wergaia man, it’s ALL still here! Melbourne is still built on the ancestral lands of the Kulin people. The land hasn’t gone anywhere. Neither have the Aboriginal people or the river for that matter (albeit markedly changed). It’s all still here! Ultimately that’s what the cultural walk was created to reveal. Come on the walk and find out!

Your storytelling and ability to paint a picture of the Birrarung is one of the highlights of the tour. Why is it important to share your knowledge with others in this way?

Because that’s exactly what my old people and my ancestors did. As far as we are concerned, as Aboriginal interpreters today, we are just continuing the oral traditions of our ancestors. Just adapting it to the central city of 21st century Melbourne.

Why should Melburnians come on the walk?

Because it’s their history. It’s part of their birthplace. It’s part of them.

Walkin’ Birrarung – The Yarra River is a guided walk presented by the Koorie Heritage Trust as part of its public program. Tours run for approximately two hours and depart depending on demand.

Hot Spots News: Life drawing at No Vacancy Gallery

Monday 29 March 2010, 5:14 PM
By The Team | Posted in Places

Stick a pencil in that hand of yours, find a piece of paper, and then move it around a bit. See that! You’re drawing. Anyone can draw. It may only look like a squiggle, or a small pineapple if you turn it on its side, but it’s drawing nonetheless. To take it to the next level, why not sign up for life drawing classes at No Vacancy gallery. You’ll find all the tools there to help you to move from undefined squiggles to believable drawings of nudes. The classes are for all levels on pencilmanship, no matter if you’re a seasoned elbow-sketcher or you’re picking up the charcoal for the first time.

Every Wednesday, 7-9pm. $10 including materials.

Hot Spots: Learn a little, live a little

Tuesday 23 February 2010, 2:00 PM
By The Team | Posted in Places

It’s 2010 people. Your work-sleep-eat schtick just isn’t going to cut it anymore. Who cares if you’re a big shot executive if you can’t crochet a couch seat cover from scratch or crunk like Beyonce? These days, it’s all about learning stuff. And Melbourne’s definitely not short of ideas when it comes to improving your repertoire. Try one of these for size:

The Design Sessions, Thread Den

Thread Den are offering a special one-off sewing series as part of LMFF, starting 12 March. Learn how to construct a whole garment from scratch, from A-line skirts to men’s ties and cravats. Bookings are essential. See below for the chance to win a class voucher!

Craft in a day, CAE

Take a day-long craft course, such as simple book binding at the CAE. Come away with some traditional bookbinding skills and a soft-spined hardcover book that you bound yourself! Next class on 14 March.

The Treasury

The lovely Emma Grace will help you remake your boring old jewellery bits into sophisticated drapery that’ll make you the envy of all of Melbourne. Email Emma at enquiries@emmagrace.com.au to sign up for one of her monthly classes.

Zine-making

Publish your notes, thoughts, pictures or stick figures in zine format. The folk at Sticky will show you how.

Deconstructing Cocktails, 1806

You’ll be able to shake a Bond-worthy martini after an over-the-bar Deconstructing Cocktails class at 1806.

Tai Chi, Fed Square

With all the learning you’re doing you’ll need to learn to take it easy too! Why not take a free Tai Chi class at Fed Square. Every Tuesday morning and Wednesday lunchtime.

WIN!
We have 1 x $150 voucher, to be spent on any of the Thread Den classes, to giveaway to one lucky reader!  To enter the draw, simply share this article using the button below then send us an email at thatsmelbourne@melbourne.vic.gov.au with your name and contact phone number. Entries close at 5pm, this Friday 26 February. Winners will be notified via phone and/or email on Monday 1 March.