Journey on Wadawurrung Country

Journey on Wadawurrung Country is a sensory and immersive cultural learning experience that shares life stories and sounds of Wadawurrung People and Country, entwined together to create an immersive experience.

Be in the space, surrounded by beautiful portraits and deeply listen to the lived experience, knowledge and history of Wadawurrung people.

Moving through the exhibition, the voices of Wadawurrung People can be heard, from Wadawurrung's most senior Elders, aged in their 90's, to future Elders, as they bravely share their journey and the journey of those who walked before them.

The sounds of Wadawurrung Country can also be heard, including the many sounds of the Barre Warre Yaluk (Barwon River), Parrwang (the magpie) and the sounds of the dawn rising over Wurdi Youang (the You Yangs).

Journey on Wadawurrung Country is presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation.

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners have worked in close consultation with artists Ferne Millen (photographer) and Vicki Hallett (sound artist) to create this exhibition.

This project captures portraits, soundscape and stories from recognised Traditional Owners of Wadawurrung Country, entwined with the sounds of the birds and water of Wadawurrung Country.

Tuesday May 28 - Sunday June 16

Open daily 10am-3pm

The exhibition will be open for an additional evening on Wednesday 29 May, 5.30pm-7.30pm.

The exhibition will be CLOSED for the public holiday Monday, June 10.

Yes, entry is free for all ages.

Journey on Wadawurrung Country is a sensory, immersive cultural learning experience that will share life stories and sounds of Wadawurrung People and Country, entwined together to create an immersive experience – for people to be in the space, see the beautiful portraits and deeply listen to the stories.

You should allow at least one hour to visit the exhibition, but it is recommended that you allow more time to deeply reflect, ask a question or just have a yarn with the Wadawurrung Traditional Owner who will be on site daily.

Visitors can find ample free parking near to Grant Pavilion.

The closest parking for this exhibition is along Sweeney Lane (highlighted in yellow on the map below) and further overflow parking along Wadawurrung Way towards Wurdi Baierr Stadium (highlighted in blue on the map below).

Grant Pavilion has two accessible car parks to the west side of the building, via Kuwarrk Lane; and one accessible car park and passenger drop-off zone on the east side of the building, via Sweeney Road.

Please take extra care when parking as this is a busy sporting and schooling precinct. 

A Wadawurrung Traditional Owner will be on site at the exhibition each day from 10am-3pm to answer questions or to simply have a yarn as you visit the exhibition.

Volunteers and Council staff will also be available should you require assistance.

The Journey on Wadawurrung Country exhibition is open 10am-3pm daily from May 28 - June 16 (closed June 10 public holiday) with an additional open evening on Wednesday 29 May 5.30pm-7.30pm.

In Aboriginal communities, an Elder is a highly respected person who is a knowledge holder and custodian of cultural lore in their family and community.

As a sign of respect, Elders are addressed as Uncle or Aunty; and as a further sign of respect, Elder is spelled with a capital letter.

As you move through this exhibition, you will hear the voices of Wadawurrung people, from Wadawurrung's most senior Elders to future leaders, as they have bravely shared their journey and the journey of those who walked before them.

Yes, absolutely. Everyone is welcome to attend the Journey on Wadawurrung Country immersive exhibition.

This is a free community event presented by Wadawurrung Traditional Owners with the support of Surf Coast Shire Council, TAC, WorkSafe, and Give Where You Live foundation.

Visitors are invited to learn, listen and gain deeper understanding of the people and Country they live, gather, work and play on.

In the words of Wadawurrung Traditional Owners: “koling-wada-ngal” let’s walk together.

Yes, with parent, guardian or teacher supervision.

The interviews featured in this immersive exhibition are with Wadawurrung people talking about actual things that happened to their Ancestors, Elders, family members, or themselves.

A Wadawurrung Traditional Owner will be on site at the exhibition daily to answer any questions or to simply have a yarn as you visit the exhibition.

There will also be Volunteers and Council staff on site to provide assistance if required.

Physical Accessibility

The Journey on Wadawurrung Country immersive exhibition is located on the upper floor at Grant Pavilion, and can be accessed via both a staircase and a lift.

The doors leading into the exhibition space are a standard width of 850mm.

Visitors move through the exhibition via a curving path that is a minimum of 1 metre wide. The path itself is flat, but may be surrounded in some sections by natural elements such as rocks, plant matter or wood - simulating the environment of Wadawurrung Country.

Sensory Accessibility

The exhibition consists of very large photographic images of people, displayed using specialist lighting. The soundscape includes a series of audio interviews, which change throughout the space.

Multiple sets of noise cancelling headphones are available to borrow in both children's and babies' sizes. Please ask a volunteer on duty if you would like to borrow these.

Parking

Grant Pavilion has two accessible car parks to the west side of the building, via Kuwarrk Lane; and one accessible car park and passenger drop-off zone on the east side of the building, via Sweeney Road.

Please see below car parking map for this exhibition.

The Journey on Wadawurrung Country exhibition has been made possible by the generous support of TAC, WorkCover, Give Where You Live foundation, and Surf Coast Shire Council.

This exhibition has been further supported by City of Greater Geelong, Bells Fine Art, Bellarine AV, Otway Indigenous Nursery and Signific.