The Dandenong Ranges community has a long history of environmental, social and political activism focused on efforts to protect the significant natural environment. Eugene von Guérard’s painting Ferntree Gully in the Dandenong Ranges inspired ‘fern fever’, drawing crowds of tourists to the area. Increasing tourism however led to a rise in environmental destruction with an escalation in logging and fern theft. This inspired the beginning of environmental activism and, as a result of a media campaign led by art critic James Smith, the eventual creation of the Dandenong State Forest. While this was happening, ngurungaeta Simon Wonga and future ngurungaeta William Barak were fighting to save Coranderrk and petitioning the Victorian government to make it a permanent reserve. 

The fight to protect the natural beauty of goranwarrabil (the Dandenong Ranges) and to preserve and continue Wurundjeri woiwurrung Culture and wurrung (Language) continued well into the twentieth century. People like May Moon, Lin Onus and Constance Coleman all fought in their own ways to protect and preserve the forests of the Dandenong Ranges through education, the creation of artworks, protest and the acquisition of land. The Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, created in the 1980s, continues the work of educating, protecting and expanding Wurundjeri knowledge, Culture, biik (Country) and wurrung. 

There is a strong correlation between art and activism in these hills and a strong sense of community spirit. The love and respect for the natural environment that makes this area so special is also what drives the community to preserve and conserve as much as possible for future generations. 

IMAGE:

Constance Coleman

(Source: Friends of Wanderslore)

Thrivance: Then, Now, Next, 2025, is a collaborative work by Tiriki Onus, a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Wurrung artist, academic and maker, Jenna Lee, a Larrakia, Wardaman and Karajarri contemporary artist and graphic designer and Jamie Ferguson of Aeroplane Workshop.

Discover Thrivance: Then, Now, Next along Hillclimb Track, Sherbrooke Forest

Learn more

IMAGE:

Tiriki Onus alongside Thrivance: Then, Now, Next, 2025

The ngurrak barring Architectural Nodes are collaborative explorations of the themes of the walk through an Indigenous lens, crafted by First Peoples design studios, Djinjama and COLA Studio.

The Activism Nodes conceptualise activism as the sparks within communities that activate them to fight for justice, for protection, lights that guide us and warm us when times seem cold and dark. They are communities that come together to resist. Their power is in their strength, solidarity, numbers and passion. This collection of symbolic flames are arranged in adaptive ways responding to the surrounding context to facilitate gathering, provide a threshold or encourage exploration. Through these varied experiences, the Activism Nodes encourage a ‘stoking of the flames’ to keep the conversation and action going.  

– Design statement 

The Activism Node is currently being constructed and will be installed in the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground in early 2026.

IMAGE:

William Barak – age 33 – Yarra Yarra Tribe*, 1866

albumen silver photograph

10 x 6.7 cm

Photograph by Carl Walter

(Source: State Library of Victoria)

* Because of their connection to Country along the birrarung (Yarra River), Wurundjeri woiwurrung people were often referred to in the historical literature as the Yarra Yarra Tribe.