First Nations art a feature to Sovereign Hill upgrades

A NEW Wadawurrung cultural precinct at Sovereign Hill is set to include works by five First Nations artists.

The announcement of the contributing artists was made last week and will include works by Aunty Marlene Gilson, Dr Deanne Gilson, Tammy Gilson, Kait James and Lynette Fagan.

The project is set to be completed mid-next year and display sculptures representing the history of Wadawurrung people.

“The Wadawurrung cultural precinct will extend that knowledge of our laws, our traditional practices, of our creation stories, our oral stories that have been passed down to us,” said Dr Gilson.

“It will celebrate that continued living culture as despite the referendum results, we must move forward and educate the future generations.”

Sovereign Hill CEO Sara Quon said the precinct is a special and important addition to the living museum.

“This project is something that came from our master plan, but it came from consultation with traditional owners,” she said.

“As we sat down through the formation of our master plan, this was a project that we agreed was important.

“To be here nearly three years later working with artists on the realisation of that is very special.”

The State Government has contributed $6 million towards a wider upgrade that includes the First Nations art project and Member for Eureka, Michaela Settle, was at the site for the announcement.

“Sovereign Hill is a huge part of the Ballarat economy, but more than that it’s a big part of our lives,” she said.

“I think that’s what’s so extraordinarily special about today, is that something that’s been in lives for so long is now going to have a Wadawurrung cultural precinct.”

Other works as part of the funding include a ‘valley of lights’ dining event as well as an indoor dining overhaul, gold panning space upgrades, and improvements to accessibility.

In total the works should create 69 new construction jobs, with 11 ongoing positions once complete.