General News
27 March, 2024
Award spotlight increases awareness of lake trees
NATIONAL recognition of the Lake Boort Scarred Trees Masterplan has triggered growing interest in the district’s indigenous history. Melbourne engineer Gary Bateman and wife Julie are the latest to visit Boort after the masterplan received two...
NATIONAL recognition of the Lake Boort Scarred Trees Masterplan has triggered growing interest in the district’s indigenous history.
Melbourne engineer Gary Bateman and wife Julie are the latest to visit Boort after the masterplan received two gongs in the 2023 Australian Institute of Landscape Architecture awards.
He told Yung Balug Aboriginal Artefacts museum’s Paul Haw the visit to Boort had been prompted by the awards.
Loddon Shire Council was part of development of the masterplan in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung Aboriginal Clans Corporation, Parks Victoria, First Peoples - State Relations and the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
The masterplan by landscape architects ASPECT studios received the institute’s award of excellence in the tourism category and was also named one of five winners of a regional achievement award.
Lake Boort is regarded as internationally significant and one of the most important existing Aboriginal cultural sites in Australia with more than 400 scarred trees in the vicinity of the lake, retaining scars from the cutting of bark to make canoes, shields, and carriers. The site is also known for the many mounds, cooking ovens, artefacts and ceremonial areas.
“The Yung Balug Clan has advocated for many years on the beauty and significance of their history and Cultural Heritage at Boort, now is the time to support them and the wider community of Boort to realise a long held dream to create a Visitor Experience of national significance here”, Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation CEO Rodney Carter said when the masterplan was released.
Parks Victoria committed to working in partnership with stakeholders on the future development the Lake Boort precinct of elements including signage, walking tracks and viewing points around the lake.