Coranderrk in the spotlight

– Kath Gannaway
AN EVENT planned for August will open up Coranderrk, the former Aboriginal Reserve in Barak Lane, Healesville, for the first time in many years to the wider public.
Karen Grulke, interim project director for the event said a meeting on Monday, 21 May, will set the shape of the event which is planned for August to commemorate the death of William Barak.
Ms Grulke said the Shire of Yarra Ranges, Eastern Health, Healesville Sanctuary and local aboriginal groups have indicated their support for the event.
The program will focus on cultural and historical connections with Coranderrk through workshops, displays, music, food and other activities.
While some ideas came out of a recent preliminary meeting, Ms Grulke said the aim of the May 21 meeting was to form a steering committee.
“This will be the first planning committee for everybody to be involved,” she said.
“We want input from anyone who has had a connection with Coranderrk over the years to be part of that.”
She said people from many Aboriginal groups around Victoria lived at Coranderrk and it was hoped representatives from those groups would take part in the inaugural event.
“The message is that Coranderrk is opening up to the wider community and we want that process to be inclusive,” Ms Grulke said.
The meeting is at 10am in the supper room at Healesville Memorial Hall. For further information contact Garry Detez, Indigenous Development Officer with the Shire of Yarra Ranges on 9294 6462.