Traditional Custodians

Meredith and Golden Plains are held on the traditional lands of the Wadawurrung.

Since 2013, we have met with Traditional Owners of the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation (WTOAC).

The WTOAC represents Traditional Owner interests at all levels of government and community. They are the Registered Aboriginal Party (RAP) for Wadawurrung country. The Corporation has a statutory role in the management of Aboriginal heritage values and culture within our region, under the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Act, 2006.

We have had the privilege of learning from and spending time with Barry Gilson, who, along with Tammy Gilson, Uncle Sean, Uncle Patrick and Uncle Dale, have been performing a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony at each festival since Golden Plains Thirteen.

For more information visit the Wadawurrung website and download the Wadawurrung language app – spoken by some 25 separate clans.