SECURING a culturally significant parcel of land as a base for education and support programs would be "a boon" for the Castlemaine area, a central Victorian Elder says.
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Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation has been offering programs like the Meeting Place, a fortnightly initiative for Aboriginal children in Mount Alexander shire, at a former school on the outskirts of Castlemaine.
But there is some question about whether the site, which requires maintenance, will continue to be available.
"We are trying to get a little piece of our own [land] we can use for cultural education purposes," Uncle Rick Nelson, a Jaara Elder, said.
About five acres of land outside Castlemaine has become available for purchase.
Uncle Rick was initially invited to the site to assess the significance of a tree.
Me-Mandook Galk, the grandmother tree, is believed to be at least 300 years old.
Uncle Rick offered "tree of knowledge" as a loose translation of its name.
Historical evidence of Aboriginal culture had been found in the area.
"We've found some grinding grooves nearby just on the creek near our little block. Not so far away we've got some rock wells Aboriginal people collected water in. A little ways in the other direction we've got a couple of canoe scar trees," Uncle Rick said.
"It's right near surviving Aboriginal culture."
Buying the land would offer several of Nalderun's programs a home and a sense of permanency and help participants.
"It's extremely important to be able to connect back to the land," Uncle Rick said.
He said the site would be of immediate use to about 50 participants in programs including the Meeting Place and men's and boy's groups.
Mamunya, Friends of Nalderun, have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help secure the block.
"If people could find it in their hearts to donate a few dollars to us to help us purchase this couple of acres it would be a boon to the Castlemaine area in regards to cultural education," Uncle Rick said.
Castlemaine resident Vic Say said the campaign was a wonderful opportunity for non-Indigenous people living on Dja Dja Wurrung country to give something back to the land's Traditional Owners and the Aboriginal community.
To donate, visit https://chuffed.org/project/mamunya