ABOUT DJUWANG BARING & CRESWICK
Hepburn Shire Council recognises the Dja Dja Wurrung as the traditional owners of the land upon which the trails are constructed.
Together, Hepburn Shire Council and DJAARRA - the organisation that represents and serves Dja Dja Wurrung People – are proud to name the network of mountain bike trails in Creswick “Djuwang Baring” which means 'long track’ in the Dja Dja Wurrung language.”
Construction began early in 2023 on a network of 60 kilometres of mountain bike trails at Creswick.
The trails wind their way through Dja Dja Wurrung Country, passing through State Forests, Regional Parks, and HVP Plantation lands. This network will deliver an unparalleled experience of the local landscape’s cultural values, forested ecology, and mining heritage.
Creswick’s Djuwang Baring consists of a series of skill-rated riding experiences along approximately 70 trail segments. These segments have also been named, with half featuring Dja Dja Wurrung language, and the other half with names proposed by the community.
TRADITIONAL OWNERS
The Dja Dja Wurrung people are the Traditional Owners of Creswick, the majority of the Hepburn Shire area, and the original inhabitants of our region.
Dja Dja Wurrung Country incorporates a large portion of land in the Central region of Victoria between the Avoca and Loddon Rivers.
Hepburn Shire Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land and pays its respects to Elders both past and present.
The project recognises Dja Dja Wurrung People as the Traditional Owners through the naming of the facility, through the design of the artwork used throughout the signage on the trails, and through the use of Dja Dja Wurrung language on many of the individual trail segments.
Copyright © 2024 Vision of Flora and Fauna by Nukara Nicholls-Moore, Djaara, Wemba-Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Ngarrindjeri Woman, trading as Nukara Nicholls Artist.
ABOUT THE TRAILS ARTWORK & THE ARTIST
Our flora and fauna come from a place of incredible beauty and inspiration. It's vastness, diversity and rawness have always captivated me and helped fuel my creativity.
In the background you will see waterways and symbols to represent meeting places. One of the key elements that I am drawn to in the artwork, as well as the colour scheme, is the animals l've put into place in the design.
The fish is a representation of fish found locally around the area; Redfin, brown and rainbow trout, are a few sought after and edible fish to name. Catchments are stocked annually, and with locations being desired fishing day spots.
The bird is a Crimson Rosella, which is a parrot found natively. With intelligent, cheeky and rich personality's, the crimson rosella's beautiful and bold colours help create a slash of exciting colour to our Victorian countryside. They are found locally in the area visibly attracted to wattles, eucalypts and other native plants which produce seeds or fruits.
The Kangaroo, a widely recognised native animal to the area. Hunted for meat and sport, used as a motif in decorative art design, and within some clans it's symbol holds totemic status. The kangaroo also represents direction forward, strength, agility and independence.
The Echidna is a native species found locally. They are a shy and adventurous creature, and if you are lucky enough stumbling across an Echidna you will notice it quickly burrow itself into the ground whilst left exposing its pointy quills. This is a defensive posture it will take to guard itself from predators.
The Koala although it is represented on the design, is scarce or close to none present in the Creswick landscape today. It's story reminds us of harm that has come to Country and a motivation to do all that we can to return health to our country, so as the animals can return.
Vision of Flora and Fauna by Nukara Nicholls-Moore
Hepburn Shire Council also acknowledges and celebrates dates on the Indigenous calendar, providing support to community groups, schools, and organisations to host events and activities.
Important dates on the Indigenous calendar include:
National Sorry Day – 26 May
National Reconciliation Week – 27 May-3 June
NAIDOC Week – 3-10 July
For further information, visit Recognition and Reconciliation.
HOW THE TRAILS WERE BUILT
Construction on the Djuwang Baring Trails began in late January 2023 with the appointment of construction contractor Dirt Art.
Several crews were involved in constructing the trails, with four to six crews active in the bush at any one time. Each crew contains a small excavator and several trail groomers. The machine operator roughed in the trails, with the groomers following with pruning shears, rakes, shovels, and other hand tools to build the trails.
Before construction, each alignment was walked by the team with input from our project experts including an archaeologist, cultural historian, and ecologist.
To view the full timeline, progress updates, and resources regarding the construction of Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails), click this link.
Language connects people to place and each other.
Djali (Dja Dja Wurrung language) connects Djaara (Dja Dja Wurrung Wurrung People) to Country, community and Culture. Having language back on Country is healing for People and for Country.
Djaara share Djali to re-instil it across the land, rivers, trees, and in People, and to enrich people’s encounters with Dja Dja Wurrung Country.
ngari
black duck
These ducks live in the region around the lake. A favourite bird amongst all People. The feathers are culturally significant.
munyankil
white winged chough
They are around and gather in mobs/groups. Dreaming stories exist about them.
wire
brush tail rock wallaby
These animals lived in this area in the past. They are very significant to Dja Dja Wurrung People.
banyindjuk
It's small (the possum)
The small possum.
murtuk
It's small (the track)
The track is small or short.
balotj
elbow
Refers to the branches of the trees. Trees are our Ancestors.
batak
take care (take caution from danger)
Be careful. Watch your step, look out for animals, take your time, beware of People.
gur
sweet flower or blossom with nectar from a tree
Acknowledging the flowers that drop from the gum trees. Dja Dja Wurrung also used these flowers to make a drink.
mang dutjiyi
rest here!
Sit down, rest your body, take a drink.
gurnmil
snake (gurn- ‘neck’, -wil ‘having’)
A common word for snake. Snakes are considered sacred. They are all Mirndayi’s (The Serpent) children.
djayi bangga
digging in the ground
Wombats, echidnas, all animals digging and scratching in the ground. Please respect the animals and leave them alone.
galki wawa
climbing on a tree
Animals climb trees to look for food, find shelter, etc.
wiyal
narrow leafed peppermint gum
Acknowledging the trees that grew and grow in the area.
gatjin
water
Gatjin is a spirit and provides life and substance to Country, animals and people. Water is captured throughout the trails for animals to drink.
barramal
emu
Emus used to roam these surrounding areas. A significant animal to Dja Dja Wurrung People, one of our Ancestors.
ngur ngur
wombat
These small animals roam the land. The name is the sound a wombat makes when it grunts.
gatjakarr
corella
This bird is considered a very powerful Ancestor and close relative to Bundjiyl, the creator.
yapuka
bird
A common word for birds and the sounds that they make.
witjikwil
bird’ (witjik ‘feather’, -wil ‘having’ = feathered creature)
All feathered creatures. Another common word for birds.
dartanitj gunkun
white flower
White native flowers that grow around the trails.
dartanitj
white one (flower)
The colour white. White quartz, white flowers, etc.
mayuka djayi
low to the ground
Animals scurry low to the ground. Wallabies put their head down to eat, etc.
guwak
laughing Kookaburra
There are many stories about Kookaburras in Dja Dja Wurrung lore. This name is the sound it makes.
bakurruk
magpie
Magpies are part of Dja Dja Wurrung Dreaming stories. This name is the sound it makes.
yulawil
echidna (yula- ‘spike’, -wil ‘having’)
Echidnas are very powerful beings. Some Djaara families believe them to be Ancestors. This name describes the look of the Echidna.
djinyap
sulphur-crested cockatoo
Reside in the area. Dig for yams/roots in the ground.
wiran
yellow tailed black cockatoo
This is an Ancestor and a close relative to Waa, the Australian raven.
balim balim
butterfly, moth
These insects are sacred to Dja Dja Wurrung People.
gurra
eastern grey kangaroo
A Dja Dja Wurrung Ancestor and sacred to Djandak (Country).
balotj
cherry ballart
An important plant used in Ceremony. The berries can be eaten.
mula
bracken fern
A medicine plant and food source.
werpil
wedge tail eagle
Common name for the Wedge Tail Eagle and interchangeable with Bundjiyl, the creator spirit who takes the form of the Wedge Tail and responsible for creating most living beings on Djandak (Country).
waa
Australian raven
Waa is the cousin of Bundjiyl and also a creator spirit. Waa is cheeky and wise. Stories tell of Waa bringing fire to the land which created Djandak (Country).
djuwangguk
long track
Refers to the biggest/longest track at Djuwang Baring.
batjan mum
‘koala’ (batjan ‘tree fork’, mum ‘bottom’)
This word describes the koala sitting in the tree. They are considered relatives of Dja Dja Wurrung People.
djinanyuk yuwapa
his, her or its feet are fast
Animals have swift feet and move with speed.
bap gumawa
jump
Animals jump to reach things above, jump over rocks, etc.
warami galk galk
over the log
Animals move over logs to get from point A to point B. Logs are considered habitats. Take care of them.
mayuka galk galk
under the log
Animals move under logs for shelter. Logs are considered habitats. Dhelkunya Dja (take care of Country).
martuk
It's strong (the wind)
Wind is a spirit. We acknowledge the wind that passes through Djuwang Baring.
gipkim baring
sweet trail
This word refers to the sweet smell of flowers in the spring.
laa nyirr
rocky gully
Acknowledging there is a rock gully here. Mind your step.
dit dit baring
hard trail
Describes the challenging nature of this trail.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Hepburn Shire Council acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of the lands and waters on which we live and work.
On these lands, Djaara have performed age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal. We recognise their resilience through dispossession, and it is a testament to their culture and tradition, which is strong and thriving.
We also acknowledge the neighbouring Traditional Owners, the Wurrundjeri to our Southeast and the Wadawurrung to our Southwest, and we pay our respects to all Aboriginal peoples, their culture, and lore.
We acknowledge their living culture and the unique story they play in the life of this region in which the Hepburn region resides and operates.