Aboriginal Heritage

Monash Council acknowledges the Traditional Owners of this land, the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.

Changes to land boundaries

On July 1 2021, new boundary variations in relation to Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs) were put into effect by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council (VAHC).

Monash Council acknowledges that we are on the traditional land of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.

A searchable map of the new RAP boundaries is now available at: https://achris.vic.gov.au/weave/wca.html

To find the relevant RAP for the area where you live, work and play, enter a specific address in the top right-hand corner.

To find out more about registered Aboriginal Parties see: Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council

The following is a comprehensive examination of Aboriginal Heritage and Culture in the Monash region.

Introduction

This report is a desktop study of the Aboriginal cultural heritage values within the City of Monash and has been commissioned by Monash Council.

Background Information

The background information provided in the following section includes the environmental and historical background of the study area and surrounding region.

Aboriginal Background Information

The information used to establish pre-settlement Aboriginal spatial organisation is mostly based on observations made by Europeans during the initial period of Contact and subsequent settlement of the study area region.

Aboriginal Cultural Heritage

The first European to view the Dandenong Ranges was Mathew Flinders in 1802 as he landed at Port Phillip Bay and surveyed the land from atop Arthur's Seat. During his short stay during this trip Flinders encountered members of the Boon wurrung Tribe.

Previous Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Investigations

As with most parts of Australia, the study area would have been well known, if not utilised, by Aboriginal people for at least the past 30,000 years.

Statutory Requirements

The following is a summary of the Victorian Cultural Heritage Legislation as provided by Aboriginal Victoria.

Aboriginal Heritage Glossary

The following is a summary of terms for further clarification.

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