Walk Barak

Listen to the Wurundjeri Wandoon story of William Barak of the Yarra Yarra Tribe:

Transcript:

My name is Doreen Garvey-Wandin. I’m a Wurundjeri Senior Elder and Wandoon Senior Elder. Also, Director of both organisations. 

We respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners, the Wurundjeri people and other Kulin Nations, as the custodians of the lands across the Yarra Ranges on whose unceded lands our work in the community takes place. We pay respect to all Aboriginal community Elders, past and present, who have resided in the area and have been and always will be an integral part of the story of the region.

Art and Sole. Walking on Country, connecting with our history, nurturing our body, mind and sole.

William Barak of the Yarra YarraTribe 

(Born 1824- Died 1903) Beloved Leader.

William Barak was appointed ‘Ngurungaeta’meaning headman after the passing of his cousin, Simon Wonga. Barak became known as a charis-matic leader, talented artist and vigorous campaigner for Aboriginal rights. Barak is considered to be the last traditional ‘Ngurungaeta’of his people. Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people are descendants of William Barak through his sister, Annie Boorat, and her son, Robert Wandoon, Robert Wandoon was my loving Grand-Father.

Listen to the Duck Swamp and Deschamps Wine Hall historical narrative:

The Duck Swamp ran from the western side of the Railway Station, north to Nelson Road over the low lying land that has been built up for the many factories that now cover this area. 

The shire engineers' report in July 1889 suggested that widening the drainage that ran from the station to Duck Swamp Road would help alleviate the flooding of the lower Main Street.

Duck Swamp Road ran between Cave Hill Road and Gardiner Street from the early 1880s until 1910 this was before it was called Beresford Road.

Deschamp’s Wine Hall, was situated at the corner of Albert Hill and Cave Hill roads, the site of the present day service station.

Built by the Dechamp’s family in 1878 it was a well-known meeting place until it was demolished in 1969. 

The wine hall was part of the Deschamp family’s 7ha vineyard known as Olinda Vineyard Its  boundaries were Cave Hill Road, Albert Hill Road, Kidgell Street and Beresford Road.