The community will mark a significant moment for Aboriginal recognition in Greater Dandenong this Friday, when they come together to celebrate award-winning Muderra Way.
When the road connecting Leonard Avenue and Ian Street in Noble Park was named Muderra Way, it was the first time a Bunurong place name had been used in Greater Dandenong.
Muderra Way’s iconic road artwork and pillar murals also make it home to Greater Dandenong’s first large-scale Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders’ peoples public art gateway.
Greater Dandenong Mayor, Councillor Sophie Tan invited everyone to the launch at midday on Friday 17 April, announcing that there was now another reason to celebrate.
“We were already so incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved through this collaboration and now Muderra Way has taken out the Place Leaders Asia Pacific Indigenous Placemaking Award! This award celebrates projects like ours that embed Indigenous knowledge, values, and cultural practices into placemaking,” the Mayor said.
“Projects like Muderra Way are a practical step towards reconciliation. By embedding First Nations culture into the public realm through genuine partnership, the project creates a shared space where the community can recognise, respect and celebrate the stories of Traditional Owners.”
The Muderra Way project was delivered through a partnership between Greater Dandenong City Council, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, and the Victorian Government and constructed as part of the Noble Park Level Crossing Removal Project.
While the new roadway helps calm traffic congestion, it also serves a deeper purpose telling the story of Country through a strong and respectful partnership. Created through extensive cultural consultation, the project embeds Bunurong culture, language and stories into the local environment, offering community members and visitors opportunities to learn, listen and connect with the long history of the land.
The art and interpretive signage at Muderra Way share Bunurong language and stories, including audio guides. Each element has been carefully developed to ensure First Nations voices guided both the design and meaning of the space.
Senior Cultural Heritage Representative and Traditional Owner with BLCAC, Uncle Shane Clarke, said the project marked an important shift in how First Nations stories are shared in public spaces.
“For a long time, people have been making decisions for us,” Uncle Shane said.
“The work through Dandenong Council has been very respectful all the way. They acknowledge and highlight the First Nations people, Bunurong, on our lands in the City of Greater Dandenong. They’ve always done it.”
The Muderra Way launch celebration will take place on Friday 17 April featuring artist talks, a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, music, activities and a community barbecue.
Community members who are unable to attend the launch can learn more about the project through a documentary series which will be available online from the day of the event, by visiting youtube.com/citygreaterdandenong.
Visit Muderra project webpage to read more.
