Kids in regional Victoria can jump, climb, slide and kick a footy in a playground drawing from the Country on which it sits, and hopefully, be a place with which generations of people can connect.
Gumbilang Lar Reserve, meaning 'resting place' in Dja Dja Wurrung Country officially opened as a new space this month in Huntly, a short drive north-east of Bendigo in central Victoria.
Three Djaara artists have designed the series of artworks blanketing the playground described as celebrating connection to Country, its waters, plants and animals, and the experience of childhood.
Troy Firebrace, Natasha Carter and Andrew Saunders are those with their art featured on Djandak (Dja Dja Wurrung Country).
The park is part of a larger reserve around 2.2 hectares large.
It's within the new Harlowe Estate, set to be home to around 1,200 residents in just shy of 500 homes.
Landscaping, seating, paths and more art installation works for the park continue.
There are slides, areas for climbing, swings, a trampoline and space to kick the footy with goalposts included at the playground for the kids, with accompanying gardens and picnic facilities.
Troy Firebrace's contribution 'Dreaming Playground' stretches across the playground's shelter roof.
It's inspired by the imagination, wonder and adventure of childhood play.
Bilramal the emu, gurri the kangaroo and batjan the koala feature in the footprints on the paths as designed by Natasha Carter.
"I chose three of our most well-known animals — gurri (kangaroo), batjan-mum (koala), and barramal (emu) — as sculptural panels for people to look out for within the park," Ms Carter said.
These animals are hinted at through their distinct footprints in the concrete paths, and help remind us even in urban landscapes, how connected we are to Country," Natasha said.
Saunders' references to local plant life like gum trees, chocolate lilies and lomandra and their relationship with water as well as cultural use is scattered across the playground and surrounding space.
We are proud to see local families already enjoying the space and look forward to delivering the next stage of the reserve later this year," he said.
Signage for the park was designed in collaboration with Dja Dja Wurrung Elder Uncle Tommy Baksh.
Property Developer Wel.Co contributed to the project alongside DJAARA (Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) enterprise DJANDAK.
"Gumbilang Lar Reserve represents what can be achieved when community, culture and thoughtful design come together from the outset. We wanted to create a place that families could enjoy every day, while also recognising and sharing the stories, knowledge and
connection of Dja Dja Wurrung People to Country," Wel.Co founder and managing director Andrew Welsh said.
"The artists' work has given the park a strong sense of identity and created opportunities for children and families to discover and engage with culture through play."
It was an approach "grounded in listening, respect and walking together" he hopes creates a space for generations to share stories.
