Darren Turner, 33, appeared at Horsham Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and represented himself.

He did not enter a plea for the charges, which included driving while disqualified, committing an indictable offence while on bail and assaulting emergency workers.

Police prosecutor Leading Senior Constable Kass Myers said bail was opposed. Ararat police informant Detective Senior Constable Caroline Blackley was called to give evidence.

Detective Senior Constable Blackley said police members saw Turner stick his middle finger up at them while he was driving on the Western Highway on September 8. Police stopped Turner and he refused to give his licence or any other form of identification except for his traditional Aboriginal name.

Police discovered that Turner was disqualified from driving. He was charged and due to face court at a later date but failed to appear.

On September 28, police saw Turner driving a vehicle on the Western Highway. Police turned the vehicle's flashing lights on to signal for him to stop but he did not.

Police followed Turner into the protest site at Buangor and Turner got out of his car. He refused to give police any identification. He was charged and summoned to appear at court at a later date but failed to do so.

The court heard that police issued two warrants for his arrest.

On April 21, police saw Turner driving on the Western Highway and signalled for him to stop but he did not. The members followed him into the protest site and Turner exited his vehicle and swore at them.

"The accused started shouting at police and walked over to them," Detective Senior Constable Blackley said.

"The members felt threatened and left the site."

The court heard that there was audio evidence of the incident.

The court heard that Detective Senior Constable Blackley contacted Turner on April 28 and asked him to appear at Ararat Police Station the following day, however he did not appear.

The accused was located at the protest site and taken to Ararat Police Station. The court heard that during his interview, Turner told police that he was the leader of numerous Aboriginal protest camps.

"Police have often been called to site for claims of thefts, assaults and lighting fires during the Fire Danger Period, and have been met with resistance. Members have been told to 'get off their land' and that they are on 'sovereign land'," she said.

"They have been there a number of times. Other members have also said they've been verbally abused."

The court heard that police opposed bail because of concerns that Turner would fail to appear at court and continue to drive while disqualified.

Turner told the court that he was due to be in Melbourne on May 2 for a Treaty panel. He also said that he wanted to educate people about the cultural heritage site at Buangor and had done talks at local schools.

"I'm trying to educate, not break laws," he said.

He told the court that he did not appear at court on previous occasions due to lack or notice and prior commitments. He also said that he was planning to move back to Braybrook within the month, as protesters we "not far off a resolution" with highway discussions.

Magistrate Mark Stratmann said he did not find compelling reason to grant bail.

Turner was remanded into police custody and will next appear at Ararat Magistrates' Court on May 27.

- The Wimmera Mail-Times