By Callum Ludwig
A sign telling the story and importance of the Iuk, or short-finned eel, has been installed at the Warburton Caravan Park as part of the Yarra Ranges Council’s Indigenous Heritage Visibility project.
Woiwurrung Elder of the Wurundjeri People Aunty Kim Wandin consulted on the interpretation of the sign designed in collaboration with East Warburton artist Ryan Tews. The owners of the Warburton Caravan Park, fans of the project, contributed to the project through funding they received from a DELWP grant.
Yarra Ranges Council’s Bushland Management Officer for the Eastern Region Ben O’Leary said the project is designed to help engage locals and visitors with Wurundjeri history.
“It’s culturally and environmentally important to look after our creeks and rivers and just notice what a cool species it is and how significant it is,” he said.
“We are trying to open people’s eyes to what’s out there and highlight the enormous and really rich culture that is all around us. Hopefully, these signs help to expose people to it.”
Three signs were already situated further down the river below Thomas St in Warburton, which describe the creation of Birrarung — Yarra River — and the Iuk season sign was intentionally positioned and designed in a similar style to them, also designed by Mr Tews and Aunty Wandin’s cousin Brooke Wandin.
Mr Tews said he was approached again to expand upon the collection of stories and bring more art to the community.
“I think it’s essential for people that want to connect and get to know this place. I think there was a colonial priority to hide these stories,” he said.
“This is a sign that we are bringing them back to the forefront of people’s minds and it’s a good thing. People are really ready to and want to learn more so I think it’s a great thing to get it out there.”
Aunty Wandin said the signs are aiming to create a deeper connection with the Birrarung along the banks of Warburton.
“The signs are honouring the waterways of Wurundjeri country, with a clear message of protecting the Birrarung, being careful with our footprint and what goes into our waterways,” she said.
“The Birrarung is a life-giving force and is the way Country speaks to us.”
Mr Tews and Aunty Wandin spent time by the river conducting a cyanotype process for the sign, coating big boards of timber or paper with light-sensitive emulsion before placing Aunty Wandin’s clapsticks, weaving and some local foliage which when exposed to the sun, become printed onto the surface. Mr Tews then combined the different shadows digitally into composite artwork, forming the backing board of the artwork on the sign.
Mr Tews said he enjoyed working on the project together with Aunty Wandin.
“I’m really honoured to be on Wurundjeri country and helping to tell these stories when I’m invited to do so, it became our project and we chose a beautiful stretch of river for the spot,” he said.
“I’m really keen to work on anything like it, and always happy to work on projects that bring a new awareness and respect to the areas.”
The Iuk migrate up and down the Birrarung all the way out to the Coral Sea and have been known to travel short distances across land between water bodies.
Aunty Wandin said the Iuk is a unique and special creature.
“The Iuk was a traditional food source for the Wurundjeri Woiwurrung people, and the way the Birrarung flooded and created billabongs aided their journey as they travel over land to sea, even though intervention has altered the natural flooding of the Birrarung now,” she said.
“Even scientists are still studying this unique and special creature to understand more about it now.”
The Yarra Ranges Council’s Indigenous Heritage Visibility project was previously awarded a Local Government Pro award in 2018, which helped encourage the expansion of the project to include more signs and the Indigenous Art on Water Tanks project.
Mr O’Leary said on the same philosophy there are plans to roll out more interpretive signs along the Warburton Rail Trail in the next month or so.
“People often remark on how it’s really a lovely trail and they enjoy the surface and the serenity, but often mention wanting to see more Indigenous interpretive signage that is lacking along the trail,” he said.
“We want to install five signs, including various subjects from the value of birds, billabongs and Stringybark trees as well as the experience of Coranderrk and the disassociation of First Nations people, all linked by the Woiwurrung language.”
Brooke Wandin is once again contributing to the upcoming projects, interpreting through Woiwurrung language and helping create audio components which can be accessed at the signs through a push button to make the experience more inclusive and accessible.
Mr O’Leary said the team have battled Covid and a whole myriad of challenges.
“I’m going to be really proud when it’s up and running because I think it’s the missing piece for the trail,” he said.
“It’s a great way for us to connect with our residents and tourists and engage them in a really important aspect of living here in the Yarra Ranges.”
Yarra Ranges Council has a long term focus on restoration efforts along vital riparian waterways, which are crucial as wildlife corridors for aquatic and land-based species. They are also important for improving biodiversity, stormwater management and carbon sequestration among other benefits.
To find out more about caring for or restoring wetlands and billabongs on your property contact Yarra Ranges Council on 1300 368 333 to find out if you’re eligible for the Ribbons of Green Program.
