Trail of Feelings is an interactive walking trail developed in collaboration between the ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions and the Koorie Heritage Trust.
This trail attempted to challenge the colonial histories connected to Melbourne CBD's built environment, and re-presence Aboriginal people and culture, through the installation of artworks that responded to specific sites in the city. It draws inspiration from The Another View Walking Trail that was established in 1995. Trail of Feelings builds upon the original historical approach of The Another View Walking Trail to propose a new emotional framework for reflecting on Australian history. Over the course of the trail, the remaining three sites of The Another View Walking Trail are re-animated to emphasise local Aboriginal histories, stories and beliefs which have been obscured, but never diminished, by the changing environment. Through the sites' multi-temporal histories, we invite you to explore meaning and memory in Melbourne's CBD and deepen your emotional understanding of both past and present. It is not until we understand and acknowledge the past that we can begin to heal, and live in the present.
This project was developed in consultation with the Koorie Heritage Trust. Significant consultation and research was undertaken with key stakeholders over the course of its development. Another View Walking Trail was originally approved by the Wurundjeri Tribe Land and Compensation, Cultural Heritage Council and the Melbourne Foundation Day Committee and commissioned by the City of Melbourne.
Trail of Feelings is to be hosted on the Koorie Heritage website. This website is currently undergoing an update. As such, some video content cannot be viewed at this time.
Trail of Feelings
Jefa Greenway
Listen to Wailwan and Kamilaroi Architect, Academic and Activist Jefa Greenaway discuss his design approaches to embedding and weaving Aboriginal voice into the contemporary landscape and built environment. This interview was undertaken as part of The Canoe Project, Stories from the Collection, a collaboration between the Koorie Heritage Trust and the ARC Centre of Excellence for the History of Emotions.
Jefa Greenaway, Wailwan and Kamilaroi Architect, Academic and Activist from History of Emotions on Vimeo.
Yarra Dreaming
A particularly significant story for this site, and the entire trail, is the story of the Yarra Dreaming. This story recounts the creation of the Birrarung (Yarra River), that was carved into the landscape by the creator spirit Bunjil — a wedge-tailed eagle.
This site does not draw a distinction between the past and present but instead foregrounds how meaning has always been and always will be situated in place. Despite the buildings of the city, stories of creation have always – and will always – belong to this land.
Watch the story, How the Birrarung (Yarra River) Was Formed as told by Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy. The artwork, Spirit Being Bunjil the Eagle was created by Wurundjeri artist Mandy Nicholson. And the video was produced by the Koorie Heritage Trust with funding from the Australian Government's Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
How the Birrarung (Yarra River) Was Formed as told by Wurundjeri elder Aunty Joy Murphy from History of Emotions on Vimeo.