Roots from art- Unveiling the Manna Gum, representative of the freshwater people, (from left) Mark Morgan-Dethick, Alan Wandin, mayor Terry Avery and Jamie Thomas of the Mullum Mullum Dance Group. 666

By Kath Gannaway
A SERIES of artworks launched last week recognises the different cultural backgrounds of the Aboriginal people who make up Healesville’s indigenous community.
Members of the Aboriginal and wider community gathered at The Meeting Place in Healesville on Wednesday 22 June for the unveiling of the artworks.
Four carved timber poles depict different indigenous leaves. The mountain ash leaf represents the mountain people, a manna gum leaf represents the freshwater people, a desert banksia represents the desert people and a banksia serrata leaf represents the salt water people.
The artwork also acknowledges the history and legacy of Coranderrk Aboriginal Reserve at Healesville.
Wurundjeri elder Alan Wandin gave a Welcome to Country. He spoke of his family’s connection to Coranderrk and the importance of art in Aboriginal culture.
He said art was important in Aboriginal culture and explained the role various forms of art have played over many, many thousands of years in passing on the stories of the Dreamtime.
Yarra Ranges Ryrie Ward councillor, Jeanette McRae, said the leaves represented the diversity of the local indigenous community.
“I want to thank those artists who have made this such a special place for our community,’ she said.
Visiting Aboriginal artist Glenn Romanis mentored local Aboriginal artisans Rodney Burke, Graham Pattison and Mandy Nicholson to create the intricately carved timber leaves.
Mark Morgan-Dethick who co-ordinated the project for Yarra Ranges Council said the leaves were crafted from massive slabs of timber.
“They were carved largely using an angle grinder and required hours and hours of fine sanding to achieve the finely crafted finish,” he said.
Members of the Aboriginal community, Alan Wandin, Auntie Dot Peters, Robynne White, Anne Jenkins and Dossina Fergie along withYarra Ranges Cuncil representatives, mayor Terry Avery and councillors McRae and Len Cox unveiled the artworks.