First Peoples' interpretive garden to surround Central Goldfields Art Gallery

An Interpretive Garden celebrating First Peoples’ culture will soon surround the Central Goldfields Art Gallery following a $225,000 investment from the Victorian Government.

The Central Goldfields Art Gallery, owned and operated by the Central Goldfields Shire Council located in Maryborough, Victoria features a diverse program of regularly changing exhibitions, including works from the permanent collection, curated exhibitions and touring exhibitions.

The Indigenous Interpretive Garden will acknowledge the Dja Dja Wurrung Traditional Owners, celebrating First Peoples’ culture Works by Djaara artists featured throughout the space, telling stories about significant cultural sites in the broader region which includes Bendigo and Ballarat.

The project will also acknowledge the former 1861 Fire Station which sits adjacent to the gardens, by reconstructing Aboriginal Rock Wells found within the Shire for traditional fire practices.

Central Goldfields Shire Maryborough Ward Geoff Lovett notes ”the Garden is an exciting aspect of this Gallery redevelopment and it’s important to incorporate and recognise the Dja Dja Wurrung culture. This Garden will become a new and beautiful outdoor component of the visitor experience to the Gallery.”

A gathering space consisting of a firepit and shelter, rock plinths for the display of temporary artworks and an accessible path will also be delivered. The project is expected to be complete in 2024.

Image: The new garden will soon surround the Central Goldfields Art Gallery