$1.5m town square project opens in Strathfieldsaye

THE new Strathfieldsaye Town Square was officially opened earlier this week.

The $1.5 million City of Greater Bendigo project – named Djayi balak garat, or Tread lightly you lot on Country in Dja Dja Wurrung language, was opened with a smoking ceremony and a community planting of native species.

It is the first to be completed from start to finish under the Yilingga Marna (shake hands) agreement between the City and the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, known as DJAARA.

Yilingga Marna recognises each organisation’s priorities and Dja Dja Wurrung peoples’ rights as traditional owners of the land. It also provides an agreed pathway for the City to deliver projects on Country that are also on Crown land.

Under the agreement, Dja Dja Wurrung enterprise DJANDAK created timber furniture with custom artwork by Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta artist Drew Berick, interpretive signage, and completed contemporary tree scarring and understory planting.

The City carried out paving work on the site, which is at the corner of Apsley Lane and Wellesley Street, symbolising all people in the community meeting together.

The project also extended to a mural on the recently constructed Emu Creek underpass by Dja Dja Wurrung and Yorta Yorta artist Troy Firebrace.

The town square itself includes flexible, paved gathering spaces, a north-south shared path connecting Apsley Street and Wellington Street/Strathfieldsaye Road, a hardscape commercial break-out area, raised garden beds with seating, native planting and shade trees, and open lawn space.

Bendigo mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said Djayi balak garat forms the future heart of Strathfieldsaye.

“The creation of a town square was a key outcome of the 2017 Strathfieldsaye Urban Development Framework, where the community told us they wanted a gathering place for local events,” Cr Metcalf said.

“This landmark destination provides a place for residents to shop, gather, meet, attend events and enjoy.”

DJAARA general manager Cassandra Lewis said it was fitting for the first project under Yilingga Marna to be about community gathering together.

“Community gathering for ceremony and trade is an important aspect of Djaara culture – and, indeed, of many cultures,” she said.

“The town square is a place where people from all cultures can gather and share Country together.

“Creative elements in the town square remind us of the continued presence of Dja Dja Wurrung people, but there’s a strong emphasis on this being a shared space where all people can meet equally.”