Hazel McDonald - Indigenous Elder
Several members of the British royal family were present at the opening of the 2006 Commonwealth Games, but no-one at the venue on that magical night looked more regal than Hazel McDonald.
Aunty Hazel, as she is known, stood in the middle of the MCG as an Elder of the Wotjabaluk people, a statuesque woman draped in a superb possum-skin cloak. She had pieced together the cloak with her sister and cousin, then burned a sequence of significant images onto the inside: the Wimmera River, the Ebenezer Mission, indigenous animals, and Bunjil the creator.
'Being in the Opening Ceremony was one of the best things that has ever happened to me,' Aunty Hazel says. 'We were out there with all the lights and the people and noise around us, but the wind was going over me, calming me down, and I felt very serene. I was really proud to be there.'
The attributes Aunty Hazel displayed in front of a worldwide audience are those that she demonstrates on every other day: pride in her heritage, rich cultural knowledge, and a belief that black and white Australians can live harmoniously together. That sort of integrity cannot be overvalued.
Gariwerd/Grampians
'Gariwerd is a cultural mecca because of the significance it holds. The five main (Aboriginal) mobs around the Grampians would meet up at Gariwerd whenever there was any traditional business. It was a place for celebrations and a place to resolve disputes. It was like Parliament House for the Aborigines, which is why it is the most culturally important place in the region. There are so many places to visit there as well. I used to like going to the MacKenzie Falls, which are beautiful. Stony Creek Walk is lovely, and everyone loves going to Mount William when it snows.'
Brambuk
'Brambuk Aboriginal Cultural Centre is run by five Koorie communities. It is a good learning place. Whether or not you know anything about Aboriginal people and history, they can give you all the information. They have the Gariwerd Dreaming Theatre where you can learn stories about the creator, Bunjil.They have a lot of cultural things on display, photos from way back, artefacts. I even find it interesting myself, to help refresh my memory. It is an excellent building and the architecture has won awards. The front section of the new building has a deck where you can sit in the sun and have a cappuccino.'
Rock art
'Our region has the largest collection of rock art sites in southern Australia, scattered from Ballarat to Ararat and up to Halls Gap. Most of the art tells stories about the specific region. Bunjil's Shelter is one of the most significant artworks. It tells the story of Bunjil, the creator for the whole world. Mt Langi Ghiran between Ararat and Ballarat has great rock art. What is really interesting about this artwork is that it shows the mountain range and the water hole with an aerial view, as if you were an eagle in the sky.'
Dimboola and the Little Desert
'My favourite place in Dimboola, my home town, is around the riverbank. I love going to the Wimmera River. I just sit there and dont think about anything. Outside Dimboola is the Little Desert. One of my favourite places in the national park is Horseshoe Bend where we always went swimming. You can camp there and go fishing for redfin, occasionally catfish, even yellowbelly. I like it best in springtime. I love the isolation. There's nothing for miles, just you and the lizards, kangaroos and a lot of birds. It is magical because it is so isolated.'
