From the end of July, the stories of Bendigo’s first people will be on display for all to see as the Dja Dja Wurrung talking tram comes into service.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The tram was launched at the Bendigo Tramways on Sunday, taking its maiden trip through the streets of the city shortly after.
It features artwork on the interior and exterior panels of the tram, designed by artist Natasha Carter, and custom audio narration.
Ms Carter said it was a really exciting and proud moment to see the finished tram.
“Not just in myself, but everyone who has been involved,” she said.
The interior of the tram carries images and educational descriptions of 14 different animals and Ms Carter said it was a learning process for her during the 7 months it took to create.
“I was very much of the mindset of marrying modern art with traditional art styles,” she said.
“I wanted it to be broad and show the colours with our animals as well.”
Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation chairman Trent Nelson said it had always been an aspiration to have a tram that shared their story.
“To have something that we’ll see from day to day, and people in our community and people from other communities can come and travel on this tram, is something very special for us,” he said.
“In the tram we can acknowledge all of our animals that we pay respect to and the reasons why we pay respect to them.”
Bendigo Heritage Attractions partnered with the Dja Dja Wurrung community on the project and chairman Wayne Gregson said the tram helped to honour and celebrate an important part of the region’s past and present.
“It will be seen for years travelling up and down the centre of Bendigo,” he said. “It will have an ongoing role in helping bring people together and help awareness and understanding.”
The project was funded by a $12,500 grant from the federal government’s Stronger Communities program.
Bendigo MP Lisa Chesters said the tram and its stories would become something children learnt about in school and told their parents about.
“That is the beauty of this project,” she said.
“The people who come to town and everyone here in this town of Bendigo can be really proud that we have something that I don't think anywhere else in Australia has.”
The tram will come into service on July 31 and run at 10am every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
For more information, visit www.bendigotramways.com