'Into the Aboriginal world' – Victoria's secret emerges from lake and creek

By Chris Johnston
Updated December 31 2016 - 4:08am, first published 12:15am
A scarred tree from drying possum skins in Kinpanyial Creek. Photo: Penny Stephens
A scarred tree from drying possum skins in Kinpanyial Creek. Photo: Penny Stephens
Paul Haw, Environmentalist and honory caretaker of a huge collection of Aboriginal artifacts. Photo: Penny Stephens
Paul Haw, Environmentalist and honory caretaker of a huge collection of Aboriginal artifacts. Photo: Penny Stephens
Dja Dja Wurrung descendant Jida Murray Gulpilil is rescuing this tree and donating it to the Boort Hospital. Photo: Penny Stephens
Dja Dja Wurrung descendant Jida Murray Gulpilil is rescuing this tree and donating it to the Boort Hospital. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil carries out a smoking ceremony. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil carries out a smoking ceremony. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil among the ceremonial scarred trees in Kinpanial Creek. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil among the ceremonial scarred trees in Kinpanial Creek. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil among the ceremonial scarred trees in Kinpanial Creek. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil among the ceremonial scarred trees in Kinpanial Creek. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil near the banks of Lake Boort with some clay balls which were used in cooking like heat beads are today.  Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil near the banks of Lake Boort with some clay balls which were used in cooking like heat beads are today. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil near the banks of Lake Boort with some clay balls which were used in cooking like heat beads are today. Photo: Penny Stephens
Jida Murray Gulpilil near the banks of Lake Boort with some clay balls which were used in cooking like heat beads are today. Photo: Penny Stephens

Jida Murray Gulpilil bathes himself in the thick, fragrant smoke from a pile of burning gum leaves beside a creek in the backwoods of northern Victoria. For him this is the smell of home. The past, but also the future.

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

$0/

(min cost $0)

or signup to continue reading

See subscription options

Get the latest Ballarat news in your inbox

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.