Welcome to the mid-year update for ngurrak barring! The trails are coming alive with artworks, improved infrastructure, and new plantings and landscaping.

The trails of ngurrak barring are sectioned into five themed experiences: Ways of Seeing, Country, Community, Activism and Resilience.

An Architectural Node will sit along the trails of each of the themes. These act as reflective spaces along the trail encouraging pause and deeper immersion in the experience. The Architectural Nodes are collaborative explorations of the themes of the walk through an Indigenous lens, crafted by First Peoples design studios, Djinjama and COLA Studio.

Installation of the first of these five unique structures will begin in mid-July. It is anticipated that all five nodes will be completed by the end of the year.

Trails connecting Montrose, Kalorama and Mount Dandenong.
This theme explores the evolving relationship between artists and the landscape.

Architectural Node

The structure that will sit at the Ways of Seeing node will begin installation in July. The design has been inspired by the surrounding Mountain Ash.

“The phloem (tissue) of the Mountain Ash is honoured in the Ways of Seeing Node; it is an expression of the rhythm of the forest and the movement of water through the layers of Country.” - Djinjama and Cola Studio – Designer’s Statement

Storm Leaves by Anton McMurray

Storm Leaves is a series of five artworks commissioned for ngurrak barring to celebrate the natural beauty and resilience of the local environment and community.

Created by renowned sculpture artist Anton McMurray, who grew up in goranwarrabil (the Dandenong Ranges), these sculptures will feature details inspired by the natural world, hand crafted in Cypress logs salvaged after the 2021 storms.

Two of McMurray’s Storm Leaves can already be seen in Kallista and Birdsland Reserve. In early July, another two Storm Leaves sculptures will rise, one at the Ways of Seeing trailhead in front of the Montrose Library and another at the Resilience trailhead in Tremont.

The final Storm Leaves will be installed near Karwarra Gardens, Kalorama later this year.

Djirra Binak (Reed Basket) by Murrup Biik

Djirra Binak (Reed Basket) by Murrup Biik—a public art practice led by Aunty Kim Wandin and Chris Joy—in collaboration with Collide Public Art Initiative, has been installed in a culturally significant area in Kalorama.

Consisting of layered, toughened laminated glass centred in a landscape of local fibre plants, the sculpture appears to float within the forest. When at the centre of the plantings, the viewer aligns themself with the glass panels, bringing the disparate elements together and seeing ‘the whole’ basket for the first time. When not aligned, the individual glass panels provide abstract impressions.

The artwork area remains fenced as the planting is established, and the site will open to the public by early Spring 2025.

Regeneration - The Listening Place

The Land Artwork, Regeneration – The Listening Place works with the environment, focusing on the use of natural materials to create a sculpture, designed pathways and revegetation using native species.

This key milestone of ngurrak barring is nearing completion and we look forward to sharing the revitatlised space with the community in the near future.

Trails connecting Kallista, Belgrave and Belgrave Heights

This theme celebrates the inspiration and connection that some of Australia’s most significant artists have drawn from the Dandenong Ranges.

Designer's impression, Country Node

Architectural Node

The architectural node that will sit along the Country theme will begin installation in August, depending on weather. An Indigenous planting scheme will form part of landscaping works. Wurundjeri Elders led a planting event, including 30 Murnong (yam daisy), a culturally significant species for the Wurundjeri people – as a symbolic act of healing and growing partnership.

“The Country Node pays homage to the ancient tree ferns holding space nearby, acknowledging each layer of Wurundjeri Country and the human experience of travelling across Country over time.”   - Djinjama and Cola Studio – Designer’s Statement

Artworks

In June we said goodbye to the temporary artwork Pathmarker Birds by artist Peter Mcilwain. Located on the Country trails around Birdsland Reserve, this series drew on the long tradition of wayside markers connecting a specific place to a wider context. While installed as a part of the temporary artworks program, the Pathmarker Birds were one of the first ngurrak barring artworks to appear on the trails, and remain a significant piece of the project's history and storytelling.

Trails connecting Olinda and Sassafras.
The theme reflects on the area’s long history as a place where creative communities flourish.

Designer's impression: Community Node

Architectural Node

The Community theme architectural node will sit in Sassafras Village Green, providing a place for community to gather, reflect and celebrate.

The node itself, representing the 'mother/aunty' form, and the smaller “child” play structure have been designed in response to the theme of ‘Community.

‘Community holds special meaning to many First Peoples. These Mother/Aunty and child structures are representative of the nurturing, strength, shelter and guidance community provides; the forms taking on the character of a weaving and unfurling fern, representing the unbreakable connection between community, culture and Country. - Djinjama and Cola Studio – Designer’s Statement

Extensive community engagement has informed the additional improvements to this vibrant and well-loved Village Green to enhance the use of this community space.

From July, temporary fencing and initial site preparations will begin in the Village Green. To complete these enhancements, the reserve will be temporarily closed for approximately 12 weeks. We’ve worked closely with the RSL, local businesses and community to ensure this timeframe doesn’t impact significant dates or peak trading times.

We are committed to minimising disruptions, with all work conducted within permitted hours and on weekdays only.

Trail Upgrades

Trail maintenance works have been completed along Wannawong Track and Alice Track in Sassafras.

Trails connecting Ferny Creek, Tremont, One Tree Hill and Upper Ferntree Gully.

This theme celebrates the inspiring artistic, political and community responses to natural and human-induced crises in Dandenong Ranges.

Trail Upgrades

Trail maintenance works have been completed along Highview Track in Ferny Creek.

Artworks

Storm Leaves

The Storm Leaves sculpture for the Resilience theme will sit at the intersection of Belview Terrace and School Track, Tremont, near the 1000 Steps.