William Barak ceremonial circle meadow

Melbourne's First Nations community will design a traditional ceremonial circle and native grassland at Birrarung Marr near William Barak bridge. The design will be informed by Barak's artistic depictions of traditional First Nations gatherings and will recognise the continuity of culture by celebrating the contribution of the surviving family groups to contemporary cultural life. Greening Australia will work with First Nations people and the City of Melbourne to restore the area to a native grassland/meadow with Indigenous plants selected for their cultural significance and natural beauty.

The Barak ceremonial circle will improve spiritual, cultural and well being outcomes for Melbourne’s First Nations people and provide an opportunity for non-Aboriginal people to share in this culture. It will serve the Melbourne community as a meeting place, cultural ceremonial circle and a commemoration to William Barak, a local leader in Aboriginal social justice.

The site will be creatively designed to tell First Nations history from pre-European culture to William Barak to modern Melbourne. It will also demonstrate the beauty of indigenous grasses and flowers and the role of traditional Indigenous practices in a high profile and central inner