The Charlton Neighbourhood House was proud to represent all the community involved with the Nyernila Art Trail project at the recent Victorian Community History Awards held in Melbourne at the Arts Centre.

Presented by Public Record Office Victoria in partnership with the Royal Historical Society of Victoria, the Victorian Community History Awards are held annually to celebrate the people involved in community history projects who are dedicated to telling local stories which help all Victorians to better understand their past. 

Public Record Office Victoria Director and Keeper of Public Records, Justine Heazlewood, said: “This year’s winners demonstrate the many varied and contemporary ways the history of Victoria can be told and shared to reach a wider audience.”

The aim

In a collaborative working partnership with the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, the aim of Nyernila was to retell the history of the area prior to colonisation. 

Numerous Djaara artists were commissioned to create artworks sharing their personal journeys and stories of their elders. 

The project was driven passionately by Charlton Neighbourhood House president Kaylene Cossar, and involved many other residents from the area.

Commencing at the Travellers Rest Stop and following the trail along the Avoca river, the permanent open air walking trail exhibition features selected reproductions of Djaara artworks, along with a permanent indoor display currently located at the Charlton Shire Hall. 

Support

Thanks must go to the following groups for their financial support of the project. Buloke Shire Council, through the Federal Government’s Our Region Our Rivers funding, Bendigo Community Bank Charlton & District, FRRR through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

In addition to this award, two other projects from the district were shortlisted and recognised for their contribution to our community: the Sir John Monash Tribute Gardens and the Yeungroon History Project. 

It was an amazing accomplishment, as there were the next-to-largest number of entries into these awards ever, only surpassed by the year 2018 when a huge number of projects were completed focused on the centenary anniversary of the ending of the First World War.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 9 February 2024.