Bunjil
The Lara Heritage Festival has a proud reputation for creating an outstanding bi-annual event. The street parade continues to attract a growing number of participants and audiences of all ages, many of whom travel great distances to witness Lara celebrate rural Australia.
Past local Councillor, Tony Ansett talked in glowing terms of the sense of pride and purpose which the Parade brings to Lara. He sees it growing bigger and better each year it’s held. His enthusiasm to encourage all sectors of the community to participate in the Parade, led to the idea of approaching the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative to create an image of cultural significance to lead the Parade, in a similar way that the Chinese Dragon so successfully leads parades in other communities.
The image of ‘Bunjil’ will connect us with the bigger picture. Wathaurong form an essential part of our history and in 2008, for the first time, they participated as the first culture of this land. This is an important step to be taking for Lara and for the Festival. It is creating shared history on which to build a positive future.
Through the Cultural Development Unit of the City of Greater Geelong, discussions have been held to bring together representatives of The Lara Heritage Festival, Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Operative, and leading indigenous artists - Brian McKinnon and Robyn Latham. Enthused by the project and the relationship building that it represents, a statewide arts funding organisation - Regional Arts Victoria - have contributed funds which together with the Councillor Ward allocation, have made it possible to commission the artists.
Work then commenced. Brian McKinnon and Robyn Latham were busy creating the image of 'Bunjil' and were busy each day for the next couple of weeks until 15 March 2008 to ensure the artwork they created was spectacular. ‘Bunjil’ is a very significant image for this region. The Wedgetailed Eagle is the Creator Spirit of the Wathaurong as well as the other five tribal groups that form the Kulin Nation surrounding Port Phillip Bay. The parade image of ‘Bunjil’ will be a symbol of how communities can work together for the enrichment of all.
The project was made possible by the Australian Governments regional arts programme, the Regional Arts Fund, which gives all Australians, wherever they live, better access to opportunities to practice and experience the arts.
The Regional Arts Fund is administered in Victoria by Regional Arts Victoria.
'Bunjil’ will lead the Lara Heritage Festival Grand Parade starting at Noon on Saturday 15 March and will be on display on the Lara Sporting Club No. 2 Oval from 13:00 till17:00 and on the Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00.