Meeting of cultures

By Kath Gannaway
The Meeting Place, next to the Oonah Learning Centre, was officially opened on 20 February in the lead-up to the Queen’s Baton Relay celebrations.
The project, which emanates from the growing relationship between Healesville’s Aboriginal community and New Zealand’s South Island Maori Ngai Tahu people, when completed will have a garden section, dance circle and ceremonial section.
Indigenous Australian and New Zealand plants were planted as part of the launch and, following earthworks which will take place over the next two months, planting will continue in the cooler months to create a unique garden.
The garden will include food and medicinal plants from both countries and innovative public artworks.
A series of community workshops were held at The Meeting Place last week, including Maori weaving and dance, Kowhaiwhai painting and drawing and Aboriginal weaving and ochre painting.
Shire of Yarra Ranges mayor Monika Keane said The Meeting Place not only created an important community space but served as a permanent reminder of the growing relationship between the Yarra Ranges Indigenous community and the Ngai Tahu people.