This park area was very degraded and underutilized, and I just thought it would be a really good space to develop because nothing was done here and at the same time I think very few people around here are aware of the Wadandi people and what they were about their history their culture it seems an important story to tell. I got the idea at the same time of developing a nature-based play area and then incorporating the Aboriginal theme into the site. I think it will bring a really natural, lovely environment a little pocket tucked away in the heart of Dunsborough it'll be an exciting little space for families to come I think the kids will absolutely love it playing in nature there'll be lots of room for imaginative play and be under the trees just be really simple and really beautiful and hopefully they'll learn the story of the Wadandi people and it will become just part of their knowledge growing up here. When we started the project I went to the mansion to see whether they would be interested to get behind it and whether they would help us and they totally embraced the idea they were fantastic and so they have had a very significant part to play in that they have prepared so much of the timber to go outside all the vertical logs they prepared and it's been a huge amount of work I think 80 logs they prepared. This project is a totally community driven and community supported grassroots project from beginning to end it just wouldn't be possible without community donations volunteers community getting on board and loving the idea. Very early on in my planning I went to see the manager of the Bendigo Bank and he just loved the idea of the project and was really keen to support us not only financially but in any way that the bank could by getting the word out there by helping with promotion in general and letting their clients and customers know what we were about as well and they've also volunteered their time on-site for labouring. Where do you want it boss, I just think it's a really good connection with the Bendigo and it's a great example of what they stand for I feel incredibly proud and excited proud, of the community proud of what we can do together the power of the people that we can go to our local council and say this is what we want to do in our town and we can manage to pull it off I feel really excited, we want everyone to take ownership of the project and the place it'll be a meeting place as it was for the original inhabitants.
Imagine a meeting place, a little pocket tucked away in the heart of Dunsborough, an exciting space inspired by nature for families to come and enjoy.
It's called Djiljit Mia Community Gathering Place! A totally community driven and community supported, grass roots project from beginning to end, and it was officially opened on June 6, 2020.
The gathering place, led and coordinated by Trish Flower from the Dunsborough Progress Association and overseen by local cultural custodian Josh Whiteland, is designed to pay homage to the traditional custodians and their ties to the Dugalup Brook area.
The location, situated next to Hannay Lane, is one of great significance to the Wadandi people - who once gathered for seasonal celebrations and to set traditional fish traps in the area.
"Having the old fish trap design reminds me of the circle of rocks, at high tide the fish would come in and at low tide it would be easy to escape. All the people would come and gather and enjoy all the wonderful stories and celebrate culture through songs, stories and dancing." Josh said.
Chairman, Busselton and Dunsborough Community Bank branches, Josh Hardy said “our team jumped at the chance to be involved with the project from very early on in the planning phase. We could see the potential of the project and what it would mean to the Dunsborough community.”
“Beyond investing financial support for the project we were also able to get our hands dirty on site one day digging, raking, borrowing and shovelling. It’s very rewarding for our team to see how their hard work and commitment to this project has paid off”.
Since opening, this space has really come to life with children and families of all ages exploring and enjoying.
A huge shout out to all of the local businesses who donated goods and services as well as the volunteers who donated their time to make this project possible.
We can’t wait to provide more updates on this completed project.
