A special spring celebration will take place on a very important parcel of land at Junortoun later this month.

Knul-doorong is a five-hectare block on Binks Road that was donated to the City of Greater Bendigo by Bendigo’s Margaret Griffiths.

Purchased in 1974, Ms Griffiths was unable to build a house on the property as she was a single woman, and not allowed to borrow money at that time.

She gifted the land, which is beside the O’Keefe Rail Trail, in 2000, with a wish it be used by the Aboriginal community.

Knul-doorong means “all come together” in the Dja Dja Wurrung language, and the broader Bendigo community is invited to do just that on Sunday 23 September.

“This is a really important woodland, and in spring it will look magnificent,” North Central Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Project Manager Robyn McKay said.

“Ms Griffiths’ generosity will be a legacy that will last forever. With Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation and the Junortoun Community Action Group, we want to celebrate that and show Bendigo the importance of land and culture to our Traditional Owners.”

The celebration will begin at 2pm and will finish at 5pm.

“It will be a great day out for the family, with children’s story telling and painting, afternoon tea with a traditional flavour, as well as walks around the site and information about the cultural highlights of the land,” Mrs McKay said.

“Importantly, our future Aboriginal leaders also have a strong connection to the culture of the area, and there will be a display of artwork from the Dja Dja Wurrung’s Youth Cultural Strengthening Program on display.

“Knul-doorong really is a magnificent spot, and I encourage everyone to come out and have a look at the quality of culture we have in our own back yard.”
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 RSVP by 20 September on 03 5448 7124 or info@nccma.vic.gov.au. Enquiries to admin@junortoun.vic.au