William Barak and the Aboriginal community of Coranderrk.
Image source: National Museum Australia, Coranderrk.
On Tuesday 9 December, members of the FAN team took part in Cultural Awareness Training at Coranderrk Aboriginal Station in Healesville, a historically significant Aboriginal community established by the Wurundjeri people as a place of resistance, culture and self-determination. The visit was a powerful opportunity to deepen our understanding of local Aboriginal history, culture and resilience.
Through storytelling and connection to place, staff were able to connect the broader history of colonial Australia with the lived experiences of Aboriginal people at a local level. Exploring Coranderrk through an Aboriginal lens challenged common narratives of Australian history and encouraged reflection on the lasting impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal communities across Victoria.
One of the most impactful parts of the visit was linking present-day locations with historical photographs and recreations of the original Coranderrk community buildings. Seeing these places as they once were brought the history to life and highlighted the strength and determination of the Aboriginal people who lived there.
The training also explored the relationship between the Kulin Nation and colonisers, and the extreme limits Aboriginal people were pushed to simply to survive, reinforcing the importance of listening to and centring Aboriginal voices when learning about Australia’s history.
FAN staff were especially honoured to hear from Wurundjeri Elder Jacqui Wandin, whose pride in her people and ancestors powerfully reinforced the importance of reconciliation, cultural continuity and respect in our work.
This experience was a meaningful reminder of the responsibility we all share to understand the histories of the land on which we live and work, and the importance of ongoing learning and cultural awareness at FAN.
For those interested in learning more, we encourage you to visit the Coranderrk Aboriginal Station website: www.coranderrk.com
