WADAWURRUNG woman Tammy Gilson hopes the upcoming Victoria Nature Festival encourages people to realise the beauty on their doorsteps.
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Ms Gilson is ambassador for the festival, alongside Gunditjmara man Jackson Chatfield, who is based in Port Fairy.
She has showcased Lake Burrumbeet for promotional videos, filmed before lockdown, talking about her connection to Country and cultural heritage in this area.
WATCH: Tammy Gilson's Victoria Nature Festival video at Lake Burrumbeet below
"I have mixed emotions about it too because we are still in lockdown and people are excluded from going to a lot of parks. General health and well-being is not great," Ms Gilson said.
"...I want people to reconnect to nature and feel there is a bit of hope.
"When you're outside and listen to the birds, it might spark some memories from your childhood.
"Ballarat is lucky there are so many beautiful places on our back doorstep that are accessible. When you are at place in nature, it's what you think about and how you feel that can try and make a positive situation."
I want people to reconnect to nature and feel there is a bit of hope.
- Tammy Gilson, Victoria Nature Festival ambassador
Victoria Nature Festival last year featured different events and sessions sharing traditional owner knowledge.
Ms Gilson remained hopeful most events planned for this year could still take place, even if in a virtual format. This includes a yarning session she has been helping coordinate.
Ms Gilson and Mr Chatfield have been working with festival organisers through their roles in Victoria's Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
Each has added their cultural perspective into the program on protocols, appropriate people to engage and language use.
Ms Gilson said the role had helped to boost her confidence in sharing her voice as an Aboriginal woman in the region.
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The festival also includes some citizen science.
A full calendar of events and ways to get involved in wildlife and the environment for Victoria Nature Festival throughout September can be found at together.vic.gov.au/victoria-nature-festival.
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