Much-loved musician Archie Roach, who was born at Framlingham, will be among the headline acts at this weekend’s 150th anniversary event. Image: www.blackarmband.com.au
[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] D [/dropcap]espite being less than 30km from Warrnambool, the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve has often seemed like a million miles away to many south-west Victorians who have never visited the area.
This week there is a significant opportunity to reverse that trend, when the reserve marks its 150th anniversary with an open invitation to visit the reserve and celebrate aboriginal culture as it exists today, and as it has done for the past 50,000 years.
The 150th anniversary will be celebrated with an all-day, free event on Saturday (April 12) from 10am to 6pm and include music by much-loved local musicians Archie Roach (who was born at Framlingham) and Shane Howard, plus performances by Kutcha Edwards, Lee Sonny Boy Morgan, Johnny Lovett and comedian Denise McGuinness among others.
The day will also feature historical talks and displays, plus a range of hands-on activities for kids and adults, including the tricky art of eel-trapping.
Aboriginal men and boys at the newly established Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve in 1867. This image has been reproduced from A Distant Field of Murder, written by historian Jan Critchett (1990).
[dropcap style=”font-size: 60px; color: #A02F2F;”] T [/dropcap]he Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve has a long, rich and complex history, beginning with its early days as an Anglican mission set up to “protect” the local Aboriginal people from the devastating impact of white settlement in the area in the 1830s.
At that time, about 1800ha of land was set aside, but was never actually owned by the indigenous people in the European sense of land ownership.
It wasn’t until the 1970s that the Framlingham community – by then living on a much smaller area of land than was originally designated – was granted control of 237ha via the Aboriginal Lands Act. The community later campaigned to regain rights to the Framlingham Forest and, after a long and hard-fought battle, won control over a further 457ha in 1987.
Although the history of the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve is one that is ultimately traced back to the devastating impact of white settlement on indigenous Australia, the anniversary celebrations are all about honouring a proud community that has, against all the odds, kept its culture alive.
[box] The Framlingham Aboriginal Community is 20 mins north of Warrnambool. Gates will open at 10am on Sat April 12, with an opening ceremony at 11am. Free entry.[/box]
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This a great opportunity for people from W’bool and district to come out to the Framlingham Aboriginal Community and learn about it’s history.
Come to Kirrae Ave – off Wangoom/Warrumyea Rd. Turn at the big water tank and the Aboriginal Flag.
Opening Ceremony with Welcome to Country, children’s choir and traditional dance at 11am.
Practical things – bring a chair, there’ll be some food available for sale. As well as the history display, there’ll be workshops – Herb Patten (Australia’s Got Talent Fame) will play the gum leaf and you can have a go on the didgeridoo. Learn about bush foods, enjoy great music and maybe go on one of the little tours (small charge will apply for these). Kids can enjoy arts and crafts and there’ll be a jumpy castle from 12.
Thanks for the extra detail, Julie, and it sounds like a fantastic day is in store!
Thinking of the Framlingham Community and all those who love and care about our proud Indigenous Australians. Have a wonderful celebration, wish we could be there 🙁 In spirit:)