By Mikayla van Loon
The Art and Sole project has officially been launched by members of Inspiro, Yarra Ranges Council and the First Nations community in an opening ceremony months in the making.
Actively encouraging Lilydale residents and visitors to explore the neighbourhood around Poyner Reserve, the project was a culmination of health and wellbeing goals, as well as cultural and historical narratives being shared with the community.
While artist and Wurundjeri elder Aunty Kim Wandin couldn’t be there for the launch on Thursday 17 November, the message and importance behind the aluminium sculpture ‘Bour-deet’ was conveyed by fellow artist Christine Joy.
Conducting the Welcome to Country, Brooke Wandin said this ceremony was traditionally performed to allow “people from neighbouring mobs to have access to Country for a certain time and for a specific purpose.”
“So while on Country, you would show respect, no damage or harm would come to the earth, the plants, the animals, the people and importantly the lores and the language of that land [would be respected (sic)]. [It was] a gracious ceremony of permission and reciprocal respect,” she said.
Brooke said this was just one of many projects that has sprouted from a collaboration with the council aiming to tell the story of Aboriginal people.
“We’re trying to highlight the rich and amazing and wonderful and all of the words of the region and amplify the voices of Aboriginal people.
“But I wanted to really remind you that for us, and for me in particular, it gives us time and space to sit, to think and to mull over what it means to be a blackfella, what it means to be an Aboriginal person, to be a custodian, to be a Woi Wurrung speaker, all those things and what does it mean today.
“So that time could be reading about the past, researching, it could be walking, it could be sitting, listening to Country…We’re sharing, we’re teaching but we’re also connecting or even reconnecting, following ancient threads that our ancestors left for us.”
Bour-deet came to be after stories were shared by Wurundjeri elder Aunty Kim Wandin about her experiences on Country and as a master weaver.
“Her works always reflect that deep, deep connection to not only the women who taught her weaving going back into her matrilineal heritage and the women of Coranderrk but also to the Country,” artist Christine Joy said.
Working alongside Aunty Kim, Christine said Bour-deet is “an honouring of a plant” that grows just metres from the Poyner Reserve artwork in the creek bed.
“Through the honouring of a plant, Aunty Kim would like to invite us to honour all things, the entities, the beings around us that give us everything we need from the air we breathe to the food we eat to the homes we live in,” she said.
For Aunty Kim, Bour-deet is a message of strength and resilience shown by First Nations women throughout time.
“We come from a line of staunch warrior women, and in their own way women now also command positions of respect in our community,” Christine read on behalf of Aunty Kim.
“I’m honouring all Aboriginal women and Torres Strait Islander neighbours through the work that I do. Women have been unsung heroes. This work is symbolic of women being vessels that sustain life, carry life, and share life.”
Yarra Ranges Council deputy mayor Sophie Todorov said hopefully this project helps everyone to remember they are custodians of the land and understand the importance of creative displays of unity.
“Arts and culture are integral to social and emotional well being. This project was able to be achieved through strong community partnerships and passionate people around health, wellbeing and history, which is a fantastic community initiative,” she said.
Having helped research the history of each way finding spots the Art and Sole project connects to, Lilydale Historical Society president Sue Thompson said it was vital to tell the story of a “collective past”.
“History is a continuum and is valuable to us all – First Peoples and other nations – and together all our ancestors have worked hard to create the sense of place, a sense of belonging and the community we now enjoy and value today,” she said.
Inspiro CEO Sue Sestan said providing health and wellbeing opportunities is much bigger than having the services available for the constituents and that’s why Art and Sole was a pleasure to be part of.
“We are so grateful to have been given the opportunity to showcase how we can weave cultural health and wellbeing together within our community,” she said.
“I’m confident Art and Sole will provide enjoyment to locals and visitors alike in spending time outdoors with family and friends, exploring the beautiful neighbourhood trails.”
To discover Art and Sole, begin at Poyner Reserve, located on Beresford Road in Lilydale and immerse yourself in Bour-deet by feeling the etchings in the aluminium and taking a moment in nature. A way finding sign can be found at the Cave Hill Road entrance to the park.
