Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison and Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle today announced $50,000 for a timely upgrade to the culturally significant Koorie Heritage Trail.

The $50,000, funded under the Victorian Government’s Stronger Regional Communities Program, contributes to total project funding of $80,000 with City of Ballarat contributing $25,000 and Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC) $5,000 in kind community consultation, plus project management and cultural oversight.

The project will be managed and delivered by BADAC in partnership with City of Ballarat and the Victorian Government.

The outdoor, self-guided Koorie Heritage Trail follows ten significant sites across Ballarat which mark the unique history of Ballarat’s thriving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The upgrade will create online maps and will employ local Aboriginal artists as well as improving interpretation at the sites.

The ten sites include:

• Median strip outside the Ballarat Town Hall
• Yuille’s Station Park, Sebastopol
• Playground at Lake Wendouree
• Koorie art poles, Ballarat Botanical Gardens
• Wathaurung Plants Trail at the wetlands entrance of the North Gardens
• Frank Wilson’s grave, Ballarat Cemetery
• Reconciliation mural, corner of Fussell and Victoria streets
• Ballarat Orphanage
• Black Hill lookout
• Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative (BADAC)

Demand for Aboriginal cultural tourism is one of the fastest growing tourism markets for both international and domestic visitors. The Koorie Heritage Trail upgrade will help to attract and retain visitors to Ballarat, helping to boost the local economy post CO-VID19.

The project is among 29 successful initiatives to be announced as part of this year’s program, designed to support community-led projects that make regional Victoria a better place to live, work and visit. The current round of the program provides grants up to $50,000 and was advertised at the beginning of the year through a competitive-based process to ensure the best projects received support.

The fund is part of the Victorian Government’s flagship Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund, a key aspect of the Government’s record $2.6 billion Delivering for Regional and Rural Victoria Program unveiled in last year’s State Budget. The investment is delivering quality education, health, transport and record jobs – which have never been more important than right now as Victorians navigate the consequences of coronavirus.

Information and guidelines for the Stronger Regional Communities Program are available at https://www.rdv.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/stronger-regional-communities-program.

Quote attributable to BADAC CEO Karen Heap

“The Trail leads the way through ten sites which are highly significant to the Ballarat Aboriginal community. Some mark tragic elements of our history; some celebrate the achievements of Elders; and other sites mark locations of deep spiritual and ancestral significance. The Trail includes sites which portray the many thousands of years of Aboriginal history before colonisation.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“We know that interest for Aboriginal tourism from both international and local visitors is growing. The upgraded trail will be a drawcard for tourists, an incredible educational resource and will document and showcase our region’s important Aboriginal history.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“The Koorie Heritage Trail is one of the most significant Aboriginal cultural offerings in Ballarat. It marks the history and tells the stories of our first nation’s people. Local artists will update and refresh the trail ensuring that tourists and locals alike can enjoy the significant contribution that the Aboriginal community make to our region.”

Quotes attributable to Cr Ben Taylor, Mayor City of Ballarat

“The Council is delighted that the Ballarat Koorie Heritage Trail will be brought back to prominence through this joint funding. The outdoor trail will guide visitors through the significant Aboriginal cultural landmarks through our region and also attract more visitors to our city. We look forward to the Heritage Trail’s popularity and success.”