GULLG HISTORY 1996-2025

Glenlyon, Victoria, 16 May 2015 – More than a historical presentation, a community gathering hosted by the Glenlyon & Upper Loddon Landcare Group offered local residents a rare opportunity to explore the rich Aboriginal cultural landscape of central Victoria through the knowledge and research of academic and cultural historian Gerry Gill.

Held at Glenlyon Hall, the event, titled Our Aboriginal Cultural Landscape, highlighted the deep connection between Traditional Owners and the local environment, drawing on decades of collaboration between Gerry Gill and respected Aboriginal elder Uncle Brien Nelson. The presentation was dedicated to Uncle Brien, whom Gill described as a friend, mentor and "an Aboriginal man of high degree." 

Participants learned about Aboriginal land management practices, cultural sites, scar trees, stone structures, oven sites, and the significance of landscapes that continue to hold cultural and archaeological value today. Gill explained how Aboriginal technology extended beyond portable tools to include sophisticated environmental management practices such as "firestick farming", which shaped ecosystems across Victoria for thousands of years. 

The presentation also examined the dramatic transformation of the region following European settlement, using historical maps, geological surveys and artwork to compare pre-colonial landscapes with modern land use patterns. Paintings by nineteenth-century artist Eugene von Guérard were used to illustrate the appearance of the local environment before widespread clearing and agricultural development. 

A highlight of the event was discussion of local Aboriginal heritage sites, including evidence of stone dwellings, culturally modified trees, camp sites and ceremonial landscapes. Gill noted the importance of contemporary heritage protection measures under Victoria's Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, which helps reduce inadvertent damage to significant sites through consultation with Traditional Owners. 

The program included a field excursion to nearby locations, where attendees viewed examples of Aboriginal cultural features in the landscape and discussed their significance. The day concluded with thanks to the Glenlyon & Upper Loddon Landcare Group, particularly Margaret Lockwood, for organising the event and fostering greater community understanding of Indigenous history and culture.

The event reinforced the importance of recognising Aboriginal cultural heritage as an integral part of the local landscape and demonstrated the value of shared knowledge in building stronger connections between communities and Country. 

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