By Dongyun Kwon
Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation hosted an event called yalingbuth yalingbu yirramboi (yesterday today tomorrow), opening up the gate of Coranderrk to the public on Saturday 7 December.
It was a follow-up event of the exhibition with the same name to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the closure of Coranderrk Aboriginal Station.
Even though the station was officially closed 100 years ago, the history of Coranderrk did not end in 1924, and the stories of Coranderrk have been continuing today through the descendants.
Wandoon Estate Aboriginal Corporation director Brooke Wandin said 2024 offered an opportunity to reflect on the Coranderrk community’s impressive effort to gain autonomy, and the powerful narrative holds relevance today.
“The event is to commemorate and to think about what it means in 2024 to be a First Nations person and also to think about how the old stories from Coranderrk are still relevant today,” she said.
“Sometimes, we look at history and think it’s long ago, and it doesn’t affect us anymore but it does.
“It’s a part of our family, this land and the local history.”
Yalingbuth yalingbu yirramboi was full of fun activities including Ilbijerri production of ‘Coranderrk’ which provided context about the history of Coranderrk as well as other cultural performances.
Award-winning singer-songwriter Mutti Mutti man Kutcha Edwards and the trio were invited to perform their music as well.
Ms Wandin said it’s important to tell people about the true history.
“There are lots of different people who have come to live in this area, and I think it’s very important to understand all of the different stories and histories of the place where you live,” she said.
“Unfortunately, there is still a lot of denial about the history in Australia and there needs to be a whole range of different ways to share history.
“I hope (visitors) are really thinking about the deep, long history of First Nations people.”
Star Mail will delve into the history of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station next week.
