NEW signs have started appearing in the Wimmera to recognise the region’s traditional owners. Horsham-based Barengi Gadjin Land Council has worked with the state government on the project, which will involve installing signs on roads across the region. The signs include an acknowledgement of the land’s traditional owners written in both English and indigenous dialects. The first sign was installed on the Western Highway south-east of Horsham earlier this month. It reads ‘You are in Wotjobaluk country’. Barengi Gadjin chief executive Michael Stewart said the group approached the government’s transport department about the project. The council later found out such a project was also on the government’s radar. “They met with us a while ago, and had some money available for traditional land owner signs,” he said. “Everyone has been pretty envious of the signs around Ballarat, and areas of Melbourne have them too. “We asked the question and got it happening. “We had a bit of a wait while the appropriate wording of the acknowledgement was put together. “There will be about 16 signs once they are all up. The government has tenders out for having them installed.” Mr Stewart said the signs would be on major roads across Horsham Rural City, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack, Southern Grampians, and Mildura Rural City municipalities. “The signs will be two to five kilometres inside the boundary of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement area,” he said.
One of the new signs in the Wimmera acknowledging the traditional owners of the land. Picture: BARENGI GADJIN LAND COUNCIL
NEW signs have started appearing in the Wimmera to recognise the region’s traditional owners.
Horsham-based Barengi Gadjin Land Council has worked with the state government on the project, which will involve installing signs on roads across the region.
The signs include an acknowledgement of the land’s traditional owners written in both English and indigenous dialects.
The first sign was installed on the Western Highway south-east of Horsham earlier this month.
It reads ‘You are in Wotjobaluk country’.
Barengi Gadjin chief executive Michael Stewart said the group approached the government’s transport department about the project.
The council later found out such a project was also on the government’s radar.
“They met with us a while ago, and had some money available for traditional land owner signs,” he said.
“Everyone has been pretty envious of the signs around Ballarat, and areas of Melbourne have them too.
“We asked the question and got it happening.
“We had a bit of a wait while the appropriate wording of the acknowledgement was put together.
“There will be about 16 signs once they are all up. The government has tenders out for having them installed.”
Mr Stewart said the signs would be on major roads across Horsham Rural City, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack, Southern Grampians, and Mildura Rural City municipalities.
“The signs will be two to five kilometres inside the boundary of the Indigenous Land Use Agreement area,” he said.
