Weaving a new landmark

By Lachlan Ellis

New public artwork at a local trail has been officially launched at an event held last month.

The Binak Biik (Basket Country) project, created by Aunty Kim Wandin and Chris Joy, was launched on Thursday 26 October at the Telford All-Abilities Sculpture Trail, with the rain holding off long enough for a smoking ceremony, speeches, and a light lunch for attendees.

While Aunty Kim was unavailable to attend the launch, Ms Joy spoke in her stead, and said the bronze cast woven baskets, basalt rocks, and indigenous plants that formed the piece symbolised traditions of weaving and caring for Country.

“I’d like to really applaud Moorabool Shire Council for this project at the Telford All-Abilities Trail, continuing beyond the 1000 Steps, and getting people out walking along their beautiful Country. It’s a great honour for me to speak here today,” Ms Joy said.

“Aunty Kim and I selected the basalt, which represents the basalt plains that run west from Melbourne out to western Victoria, upon which many mobs of Victoria walked, shared resources, and protected Country. There are also endangered species planted in between the stones, which were carefully selected by local ecologist Ben Courtice.

“We also honour Wurundjeri women. They were incredibly important custodians of this Country, because it was them who walked along with their digging sticks, digging up the roots and bulbs, the yams and orchids, and kept the soil friable and oxygenated, and allowed other things to grow.”

Baskets are also significant as Wurundjeri women have woven them for generations, with Aunty Kim being taught by her grandmother Ollie, and her grandmother being taught by her grandmother in turn, Jemima.

Ms Joy said the open baskets also symbolise an “openness or void” for what comes next, discussions, ideas, and future possibilities.

Moorabool Shire Mayor Cr Rod Ward said it was important to celebrate Indigenous culture, and the Binak Biik artwork did so in a way complementing Council’s plans to encourage physical activity and community connection.

“We all know that our Indigenous culture is the oldest continuous culture on the planet, and it is important to us. This artwork does represent a very important message for all of us, which is that if we care for Country, Country will care for us,” he said.

“Obviously the opening of the sculptures here is part of the broader opening we’ve had recently for the All-Abilities Trail here at Telford Park, and it’s a further extension of the opening of the 1000 Steps.”

Cr Ward said very soon the next stage of the project will be undertaken.

“Right near the top of Bald Hill will be the viewing platform and another all-abilities trail, and Council is exploring some more artwork there.”