Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung People) invite visitors to connect with Country and Dja Dja Wurrung Culture on the newly upgraded Argyle Spring Walk in Hepburn Regional Park, which now features a cultural art and interpretive trail.
Called Nyerna Djayi Wurreka, which means “listening to Country speak” in Dja Dja Wurrung language, the trail starting from the Hepburn Mineral Springs Reserve features eight “pause points” encouraging people to stop and reflect on the surrounding environment, and its relationship with Djaara art and culture.
The concept for this unique trail comes from Dja Dja Wurrung artists and knowledge holders, who have also created striking artworks and interpretive commentary along the trail.
The trail upgrade has been delivered by DJAARA, the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and its enterprise DJANDAK, in partnership with Parks Victoria.
Dja Dja Wurrung Group Interim CEO Cassandra Lewis invited people to open themselves to Country as they walked the trail.
“Listening to Country is part of our Djaara Culture. We hope people will take the time to slow down, tune in to their senses, and tune in to Country as they walk this trail,” Ms Lewis said.
“Along the way, we invite you to pause to enjoy Djaara artworks and interpretive signage, which encourage a deeper connection to the land and its stories.
“We are proud to share our Culture with all visitors to Hepburn Regional Park on Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country),” Ms Lewis said.
In addition to the installation of art and interpretive signage, other upgrades to the Argyle Spring Walk include resurfacing, removing blackberries and other weeds, landscaping, and installing seating at each pause point.
Timber used in the manna gum sculpture, posts and log seats has been supplied by DJAARA Timbers, a not-for-profit Dja Dja Wurrung specialty and cultural timbers enterprise.
“The Nyerna Djayi Wurreka project used timber sourced from Djandak, which would otherwise have been mulched, or used for firewood. This work respectfully honours Country’s resources,” Ms Lewis said.
Parks Victoria District Manager David Petty welcomed the improvements to the trail and encouraged park visitors to enjoy them.
“The trail is now a fantastic way to learn more and connect with culture while enjoying the Argyle Mineral Spring and the health and wellbeing benefits of getting out into nature,” Mr Petty said.
Hepburn Regional Park is one of six parks jointly managed by DJAARA and Parks Victoria.
Nyerna Djayi Wurreka is part of the Hepburn Healthy Trails project. This project has been jointly funded with $429,000 from the State Government’s Victoria’s Great Outdoors program and an additional $180,000 from DJAARA, demonstrating a shared commitment to cultural and park recreational enhancement.
From September, park visitors can book a tour led by Djaara guides ‘Listening to Country speak at Argyle Spring trail’ (go to: dumawul.com.au). It’s one of several Discover Djaara tours by Dja Dja Wurrung enterprise DUMAWUL.
This article is based on a media release from Djaara.
