Culture & Country

why is this important?

Culture and Country are central to First Peoples in Victoria. To quote the NAIDOC 2021 theme, “Country is family, kin, law, lore, ceremony, traditions and language. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples it has been this way since the dawn of time.”
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While council has a significant role to play in protecting Country by respecting cultural heritage, acknowledging the central role that Country plays in the lives of First Peoples can also create opportunities for economic development in your municipality. A First Peoples Cultural Tourism Strategy can help in protecting Country, supporting First Peoples-owned businesses and businesses in the wider community by attracting visitors, and goes a long way to acknowledging the deep links First Peoples have with all Country in Victoria.

Recommended Strategies

Support First Peoples-owned businesses by creating partnerships in Cultural Tourism, such as the Budj Bim Tourism Master Plan.

Establish protections for significant cultural sites across your municipality to ensure they are protected for future generations.

Support the creation of Cultural Centres in your municipality, such as the Narana Aboriginal Cultural Centre.

Work with state and federal authorities to create wide ranging plans to support economic development across your whole region, such as the Aboriginal Tourism Product Development Planning Project.

Case Studies

Hepburn Shire Council works closely with the Dja Dja Wurrung People to recognise their unique connection to Country in the municipality. During National Reconciliation Week 2020, council organised a unique On Country experience with Elders which allowed the wider community to better understand the history, culture and beauty of Dja Dja Wurrung Country. While originally planned as a bus tour, the COVID-19 pandemic meant that council created a series of three videos called ‘Peaks, Wetlands and Rivers’ in which Uncle Rick Nelson explains the significance of a number of sites across Dja Dja Wurrung Country. Hepburn Shire Council received the Highly Commended Award at the HART Awards 2021 for this project.

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Victoria, and recognise First Peoples continuing connection to lands, waters and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present who carry the memories, traditions, cultures and aspirations of First Peoples, and who forge the path ahead for emerging leaders.

We dedicate ourselves to working respectfully with and guided by First Peoples, and to listen and amplify the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in all areas of work