A journey through Sydney’s history

A project approved by City of Sydney will see the city’s public spaces transformed to celebrate the traditional custodians of our land.

The Eora Journey will commemorate the important past of the Gadigal people from the Eora Nation. 

The project will feature a walking trailthrough the city to explore, as well as archival images, murals and signs.

Native bushtucker and plants will be on display, with Aboriginal storytelling from the time of first contact, to the time of modern and urban life in Sydney.

City of Sydney Councillor Irene Doutney said:“The Eora Journey is one of the most exciting projects that the City will undertake over the next few years and will pay recognition to the lives of the Aboriginal people who have lived in the area for tens of thousands of years.” 

Historians have mapped out 255 significant places over the course of two years, working closely with members of the City’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Panel. 

Manager of Aboriginal Art Galleries, Venita Poblocki said: “An historically detailed trail dedicated to the Eora people is highly valuable to the community.” 

“It acts as both an acknowledgement to the Indigenous people of the Sydney area and is also a vital information source for others to learn about the original people from this particular area,” she said.

City of Sydney Councillor Meredith Burgmann said she has been involved with the Eora people since the late 1960s.

“I feel a connection with both them and this whole idea, it’s terrific,” Ms Burgmann said.

“I’ve always supported the concept that there needs to be acknowledgement of the first Australians by the Council”.

The project was the Council’s response to calls by the indigenous and broader community for the recognition of this culture.

Councillor Doutney believes this kind of recognition is long overdue.

“When we consider the long history and culture of Sydney’s traditional people we realise how deficient our society has been in acknowledging the importance of their lives in the collective mind of the City” she said.

Council believes further celebration and recognition of this valuable and extensive culture will be beneficial for tourists and residents, as well as providing more jobs for indigenous people.  

The Eora Journey is one of several key projects envisioned in sustainable Sydney 2030.

This plan endorsed by council will implement seven initial projects, including the continuing engagement of Public Art Advisory Panels for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

By Georgia Fullerton