Council celebrates ARTBOX launch with official opening of Luruk-In exhibition Gaanbona

Strathbogie Shire Council is excited to announce the official launch of ARTBOX – a new travelling exhibition space for the municipality.

The launch was celebrated with the official opening of the space’s first exhibition by proud Taungurung artist Aimee McCartney of Luruk-In.

Strathbogie Shire Council Mayor Cr Laura Binks said the event was an fabulous ceremony where guests took part in a special smoking ceremony.

“We were honoured to have Uncle Mick Harding conduct the ceremony, giving us great insight into the history and meaning of this important cultural practice,” Cr Binks said.

Cr Binks said Council was proud to launch the space with Taungurung artist Aimee McCartney and congratulated her on the how fantastic the curation looked.

“The beautiful colourful works pop out so brightly in the space, which can be viewed at any time in the Seven Creeks Park, Euroa.”

Aimee said she was humbled to be a part of the ARTBOX initiative.

“It is an exciting way to connect to community and visitors in the region,” she said.

“For me, as an Aboriginal artist, I am so happy to be able to bring my solo exhibition GAANBONA which means bright and happy in Taungurung language back onto my mother’s country - my country - for all the community and its visitors to see.

“I am extremely proud of my lineage and the continuation of telling stories through my art in this region. I am extremely dedicated to sharing our stories by putting paint to canvas.

“Each piece in my collection represents a connection to country, a deep spirituality, and a rich history that has been passed down to me from generation to generation. Each piece represents countless hours of careful thought, contemplation, and creativity all inspired by Taungurung country, my country, my culture and my family.

“It is my hope that my artwork can offer a glimpse into our rich culture - inspire all of you to connect and learn about First Nations’ history, stories and language and finally to recognise to the importance of preserving and celebrating this vital part of our Australian identity.”

Cr Binks said the collaboration would be the first of many with artists as the space travels throughout the Shire on its designated schedule.

“The travelling exhibition space, promoting professional and emerging artists and makers, is an exciting and innovative way to connect community and visitors to our region through Arts

wawa-tabilk-tabilk

On this experience our passionate Taungurung leaders immerse you in the layers of story found within tabilk-tabilk - the place of many waterholes. This magnificent part of Taungurung Country located at Tahbilk Winery and Wetlands, boasts 1,214 hectares of river flats with an extensive frontage to the Waring (Goulburn River) and impressive backwaters and creeks. For tens of thousands of years pre-colonisation, these lush waterways of the Waring and its tributaries have sustained seasonal food sources and a nourishing cultural life for the Taungurung people as they migrated through this area.

We share with you our story of this Country – from the way of life of our Ancestors, to the vibrancy and resilience of our people today as we partner with Tahbilk to reinstate our language and our knowledge and celebrate the restoration of this important biocultural landscape for future generations.

You’ll experience a traditional Welcome Smoking Ceremony, inspiring yarns with two Taungurung guides, a guided walk along the tabilk-tabilk Indigenous Flora Trail to learn the various uses of native flora by Taungurung people, and enjoy a gentle cruise through the beautiful wetlands keeping an eye and ear out for the prolific birdlife, frogs, turtles, and unique seasonal flora unique to this place. We finish by giving thanks to Country – the keeper of our stories, past, present and future.

Inclusions: This 4-hour cultural experience departs and ends at Tahbilk Winery - Wetlands View Restaurant, includes quality time with two Taungurung guides, a traditional Welcome Smoking

Ceremony, home-made morning tea using delicious bush ingredients, a boat cruise on the Tahbilk wetlands, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions and yarn with our guides.

Bookings https://taungurung.rezdy.com/526140/ wawa-tabilk-tabilk and Culture.

“It provides opportunities for regional and remote communities in the Shire to create, experience and engage with arts and culture.

“ARTBOX is a mobile, professional exhibition space that welcomes proposals from artists, designers, festivals, curators, community and cultural groups in all art forms including but not limited to; visual arts, sculpture, craft, design, digital media, architectural installations, performance, literary arts, installation/ site specific works, fashion and cultural heritage projects that display innovative ideas and approaches.

“Council’s aim is to provide a diverse and engaging annual exhibition program containing a mix of Council run exhibitions, local artists and art groups as well as some visiting and out of area artists.”

To find out more about ARTBOX or to express your interest in using the space, visit https://www.strathbogie.vic.gov.au/community/ arts-and-culture/artbox/

ARTBOX is being brought to Strathbogie Shire with Creative Victoria grant funding.

Strathbogie Shire Council Councillor Chris Raeburn, Mayor Cr Laura Binks, artist Aimee McCartney of Luruk-In and Cr Sally-Hayes Burke with daughter Roma.

He worked in Abu Dhabi in the Emirates for two years, and was a hotel trained Chef. He met Maria there where she also worked and in 2007 when they decided to get married they went back to Maria’s homeland in the Philippines to get wed. They were blessed with Gabrielle there.

Gavin, Maria and Gabrielle have lived here for 13 years and in 2012 Marion came along and then Naomi in 2013.

All of the family are excited about their new home and business venture. The three girls attend the St Mary’s Catholic College in Seymour.

Local artist and writer Trudy Oldaker is Gavin’s mother. She was missing him when he was overseas. So in 2010 she sent a letter to her son with an enclosed news ad for a Head Chef for the Royal Mail Hotel in Nagambie. “Just in case” she wrote with it. He felt a bit stressed out in the job over in the Middle East so decided to take the plunge and try here for that job at the Top pub. He rang long distance and spoke to the young owners Emma and Luke Pearson, and got the job. All were pleased, mum especially. So he came back to Oz and settled into the pub work here. He said “I fell in love with the people here and the town” and stayed

But in 2012 he made another change and moved to the Nagambie Rowing Club as Head chef for a few years. All in all he was there for 11 years.

One of his dreams was to own a pub of his own. He saw the pub over the road was doe sale way back in 2018 but his dream could not be realised then due to lack of funds. But in 20232 the pub came up for sale again. This time his dream was realised and he is now the proud owner of Zephyrz and is well supported by his mother and his wife and girls.

Going by the feedback since they opened a couple of weeks ago. It will be a popular dining and entertainment venue once again.

Gavin hopes to feature live bands, piano music and karaoke nights on a regular basis, and good pub food, at affordable prices and a friendly family atmosphere where young and older folk can enjoy an unhurried, cosy dining venue.

The restaurant features the Wall of Champions mural that was painted by a young Filipino man a few years back and a second dining area has a with Melbourne Cup mural on the main wall and sofas spaced out around this larger area.

Thanks to the previous owners, outside is a beer garden courtyard and a large beer garden area that would seat many pub patrons. Live bands can perform on a stage out there as well as inside.

At the moment the pub-restaurant is open Saturday and Sundays for lunch and dinner and Monday to Friday for lunch. No bookings are necessary but would be preferred on 0490 185 665.

So locals and visitors are invited to go along and find out what the new pub-restaurant’s new owners can provide for them. Happy dining!