By Casey Neill
Wurundjeri woman Julie Coombes opened the 500th Yarra Ranges Council meeting with a welcome to country.
“You are most welcome to the land of the Wurundjeri people,” she told the Tuesday 27 August meeting.
She shared pictures and stories of her ancestors, many of whom were born at Coranderrk in Healesville.
“Aboriginal people at Coranderrk were true survivors,” she said.
Ms Coombes wore a possum skin cloak handed down from her mother, and explained that a welcome to country paid respect to the land’s traditional owners as well as their guests.
“I welcome you all from my heart to my country, Wurundjeri country,” she said.
Councillor Len Cox was present at the first council meeting, held on 15 April 1997.
He was unsure if that event featured a welcome to country, but was pleased that the council had since fostered such a positive relationship with its indigenous community members.
On the main wall of the council chambers was a new indigenous language map and art, which the Yarra Ranges Regional Museum created with guest curator, Wurundjeri woman, Brooke Wandin.
It commemorates the UNESCO International Year of Indigenous Languages and highlights indigenous language words that have been repurposed to name and identify locations.
Melbourne Indigenous artist Amanda Wright created the artworks that feature on the map.
Yarra Ranges brought together the shires of Lillydale, Healesville, Upper Yarra and Ferntree Gully.
“As the elected representatives for the Yarra Ranges, these meetings are where we can support and guide the changing needs of our communities and provide leadership for a better tomorrow,” Mayor Tony Stevenson said.
