The Gadhaba Local Aboriginal Network (LAN) have been busy in the past few
months working on their Gathering Place Project which is part of the new Heritage
Precinct beside the old Goods Shed and adjacent to the Scar Tree on the old railway platform at the Visitor Information Centre, in collaboration with Mansfield Cultural Heritage and Arts Centre (MCHAC) and supported by Mansfield Shire Council. The project has been made possible through the Covid-19 Aboriginal Community Response and Recovery Fund from the Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet and auspiced by Taungurung Land and Waters Council (TLaWC).
You may have noticed some pathway and rock formation on site, and in particular three vertical rocks embedded on the northern side of the Gathering Place. The rocks have been sourced from local providers, and installed by Tectonic Civil.
Art installation:
The vertical rocks will be adorned with a mosaic art installation. Taungurung in the
Mansfield region are Stone and River People – hence rock and water are key
features of the design. The rock mosaic being created of moths in flight reflects the importance of the Bogong moth to local Taungurung people.
The mosaic design and individual art pieces are being being made by Gadhaba LAN participants, facilitated by local artist Sue Binzer. Local resident and Taungurung artist Talitha Annuscheit has been integrally involved in the design and creation process.
The mosaic design under construction shows the flight paths of Bogong moths in
their yearly migration through Taungurung land to the High Country, as they pass
over land (stone) and rivers (water). The moth was a symbol of festive celebration for local Aboriginal people, who would travel to the mountains to feast abundantly on the nutritious Debera and meet with other clans. The Gadhaba mosaic speaks of the eternal rhythms of life, the people’s appreciation of and dependence on cycles of nature, and the spiritual connection of the moth to country and community.
There will be a public celebration of the art work on completion, at the Gathering Place.
Before works began:
It begins...
The progression...
Mosaic moth to be displayed...
