JOIN Wadawurrung woman Shannen Mennen at the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections to explore Ballarat’s heritage through possum skin cloaks.<\/p>\n
The event, which is a collaboration with Federation University, is part of Ballarat Heritage Festival.<\/p>\n
The session will explore Wadawurrung peoples’ connection to Country and the significance of Waleert-Waleert or possum skin cloaks.<\/p>\n
“We give them the name Waleert-Waleert which in our language literally means many possums but it’s also the word that we give to possum skin cloaks,” Ms Mennan said.<\/p>\n
“Every person would have their own Waleert-Waleert. Their first possum skin would be gifted to them when they were about two months old or so and over time, they would actually add skins to the cloak.<\/p>\n
“Each cloak was significant to the individual and something they would decorate and have with them their entire life.”<\/p>\n
Ms Mennen said she hopes to broaden the community’s understanding of Wadawurrung culture and Ballarat’s origins.<\/p>\n
“For a long time, we’ve been omitted from the history of Ballarat in many ways,” she said.<\/p>\n
“When I was growing up within the schooling system, I was told that all Wadawurrung people had unfortunately died off and there was none left.<\/p>\n
“I think it’s incredibly important that people have that broader understanding of the region.”<\/p>\n
The session will be held on Saturday 17 and Friday 23 May. To purchase a ticket, visit the Sovereign Hill website.<\/p>\n
Ms Mennen will also be at the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections to discuss Wadawurrung Culture and Language on Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 May.<\/p>\n
The sessions are a basic introduction to Wadawurrung language including place names, greetings and body parts.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
JOIN Wadawurrung woman Shannen Mennen at the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections to explore Ballarat’s heritage through possum skin cloaks. The event, which is a collaboration with Federation University, is part of Ballarat Heritage Festival. The session will explore Wadawurrung peoples’ connection to Country and the significance of Waleert-Waleert or possum skin cloaks. “We […]<\/p>\n