New Lakeside trail follows tradition

AN Aboriginal trail to honour Lakeside’s traditional landowners was launched yesterday.
Aboriginal Affairs Minister Richard Wynne and Steven Compton from the Bunurong Land Council joined Delfin Lend Lease general manager Tod O’Dwyer to officially launch Lakeside Pakenham’s Winjeel’s Trail in recognition of the Bunurong people.
Lakeside Pakenham project director Ian Heath said Winjeel’s Trail was historically significant.
“Delfin Lend Lease and Cardinia Shire Council acknowledge the traditional owners of this land and we are thrilled to unveil Winjeel’s Trail as a showpiece of the region’s rich indigenous history,” Mr Heath said.
The Winjeel’s Trail spans one kilometre from Lakeside Pakenham Waterford Park through both the Botanic and Parkway Villages.
The chosen plant species along the trail reflect species from the seven seasons that make up the Bunurong year, these plants will flower at varying times throughout the calendar year.
Mr Heath said the design and name of the trail was reflective of the traditional landowners.
“The trail’s design is derived from a traditional Bunurong motif and the name Winjeel, meaning young eagle, was created in consultation with the Bunurong Land Council, Delfin Lend Lease and the Cardinia Shire Council,” he said.
“While developing Lakeside, tools, fire sites and other cultural artifacts were uncovered.
“These significant materials have been incorporated back into the landscape forms within the trail.”
The Bunurong territory, which ranges from the Werribee River, across the Mornington Peninsula and Westernport Bay to Wilsons Promontory, included six clans of hunter-gatherers who lived entirely off the land and observed changes in animal behaviour and plant growth to predict abundances or shortages of food.