By JESSE GRAHAM
A NEW statue has been unveiled at Healesville Sanctuary commemorating the efforts of an indigenous advocate who walked between and tried to bridge two worlds.
The life-sized statue, depicting Coranderrk leader and indigenous rights campaigner William Barak, was unveiled on Thursday 15 August at the sanctuary, in an event which drew large crowds from the surrounding community.
CEO of Zoos Victoria Jenny Gray said the event was a “wonderful moment” for the community to gather and celebrate the heritage of Coranderrk and William Barak.
“Today is about acknowledging history, about stopping and paying respext for those who came before us, to the people who have fought for change,” she said.
William Barak served as an ambassador for aboriginal people during the 1800s, campaigning for the establishment of the Coranderrk Mission Station and the rights of those living there.
Wurundjeri elder Murrindindi and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell both gave speeches on the day, before they unveiled the statue together.
“I do feel like we’re moving towards reconciliation,” Murrindindi said.
“That’s what it’s all about – coming together as one people and working together as one people.”
Visitors to the Healesville Sanctuary will be able to see the connection to Coranderrk through a path down Wurundjeri Walk from the statue, with a number of features.
Included in the walk is a Dreaming Place for storytelling, a 250-year-old canoe tree and a pathway which features the story of the Coranderrk Station, which was established 150 years ago.
The date of the occasion was of particular significance, with the unveiling being held on the 110th anniversary of William Barak’s death in 1903.
While he had no direct descendants, William Barak’s great, great, great, great nephew Jack George, a Beaconhills College student, spoke about the history of Coranderrk.
“It’s a story we should all know, a name we should all remember,” Jack said.
“I can only hope I can be half the man he was when I grow up, to help bridge the gap between two cultures, as Murrindindi is doing today.”
Aunty Joy Murphy Wandin also gave a speech, detailing the history of Coranderrk and William Barak, before Ms Gray officially finished the event.
Ms Gray said that Zoos Victoria would be hiring an aboriginal ranger to work at the sanctuary to interpret stories about Coranderrk to school groups and visitors.
For more information, call Healesville Sanctuary on 5957 2818.
