ngurrak barring | RidgeWalk was first conceived in 2017 by Yarra Ranges Council, and a masterplan was commissioned in 2018. Yarra Ranges Council led the project in partnership with State and Federal Government, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, Parks Victoria, residents, artists, businesses, schools, cultural and community organisations. Indigenous culture, the environment, heritage and creativity were the key local values identified during this early conceptual phase and they continue to underpin all subsequent project activities.

Commissioned Studies 

Given ngurrak barring’s strong emphasis on narrative, two cultural studies were completed to inform the project.  These studies outline the stories that will be brought to life through the project’s dynamic creative program. 

RidgeWalk: A History of Culture, Artists and Creativity in the Dandenong Ranges 

In 2017, Yarra Ranges Council commissioned, RidgeWalk A History of Culture, Artists and Creativity in the Dandenong Ranges. The report was developed by Bronwyn Hannah History and Heritage in collaboration with local history groups.  

Featuring: 

• Three brief historical accounts of the Dandenong Ranges — natural history, Aboriginal history and colonial/postcolonial history 

• A stand-alone illustrated catalogue with 30 entries on the life and work of locally distinguished individuals and five accounts of local creative households 

Aboriginal Cultural Values Assessment Report 

In 2019, Yarra Ranges Council worked with the Traditional Owners, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and Extent Heritage to create an Aboriginal cultural values report. The report provides a greater understanding of Aboriginal culture and history in the Dandenong Ranges.   

Key themes that emerged from discussions with Elders included: 

• Identity and Custodianship 

• Telling the truth about dispossession and survival 

• Cultural routes 

• Seasonality and Resource use 

• The importance of Water 

• Mountain Ash as holders of memory 

• Significant past Elders 

• Living and Working in the twentieth century 

These themes will continue to be developed in conjunction with Wurundjeri and local Aboriginal community members to determine how they might be conveyed within the ngurrak barring experience. 

Consultation

The ngurrak barring Indigenous Project Advisory Network 

Given the strong emphasis on First Nations stories throughout ngurrak barring, a Project Indigenous Advisory Network was created to maintain strong cultural leadership throughout all implementation stages of ngurrak barring.  

The Network consists of Traditional Owners from the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and members of the local Aboriginal Community, including two members of the Yarra Ranges Council Indigenous Advisory Council.  

Outcomes towards which the Network will work include: 

• Ensuring the ngurrak barring Interpretation experience is culturally relevant, sensitive and reflective of the Traditional Owner and local Aboriginal communities, their culture and history. 

• Ensuring ngurrak barring is exemplary in ethically telling Indigenous stories and commissioning Indigenous design. 

• Bringing the ngurrak barring Interpretation Plan and Curatorial Framework to life 

• Facilitating an experience that will engage a wide local, national and international audience with a deep sense of Country and history of place. 

Community 

Throughout 2018 and 2019 project staff and Master Planning consultants explored ideas about art, history, transportation, recreation, parking and tourism with the community to help shape ngurrak barring.  

Community engagement has served a critical role in the project’s development so far and will continue to guide ngurrak barring into the future. 

A draft of the Masterplan was open for public comment in June 2019. The project team and Master Planning consultants are reviewing feedback and making improvements. Any significant changes to the draft plan will be re-released to the community for further feedback in early 2020.  

Consultation has taken place with bodies such as the National Gallery of Victoria, Tourism Victoria, Creative Victoria, RMIT, Deacon University, The Highline (New York), and the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art. Specific workshops with artists and environmental groups continue to occur.