Study uncovers gold’s impact on river

THE history of the impact of gold on the Yarrowee river has been documented in a joint project by Federation University, Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, and the City of Ballarat.

Project officer at the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Shannen Mennen, said the Yarrowee has a rich and important history.

“To Wadawurrung people, our waterways are seen as the veins and arteries of Wadawurrung Country,” she said.

“Through this project Wadawurrung Traditional Owners sought to share a Wadawurrung perspective on the history of the Yarrowee and its current health.”

Traditional owners walked along sections of the river to share knowledge on the area, with maps then created documenting the damage which has occurred since the goldrush.

Senior lecturer in History at Federation University, Dr David Waldron, said the digital maps are important to understanding the area.

“It is a critical tool in town planning, development and heritage and, more importantly, a central narrative in understanding the health of our waterways that are the life of our communities and environment,” he said.

“It also reveals important realities in truth-telling the story of the impact colonisation has had on our indigenous communities and the importance of traditional knowledges surrounding land management, the environment, and deep connection to the lands and waterways.”

Following the discovery of gold in 1851, the Yarrowee and Gnarr waterways were diverted as people searched for the precious metal.

The river continued to be redirected to make space as more and more people moved to the goldfields which resulted in the river becoming straight, rather than its natural snake-like pattern.

Part of the river now lies underground, including near the Bridge Mall.