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 DJARRA, 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.
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.