A spear made by 15-year-old local youngster William Murdoch now occupies an important place in the history of Aboriginal peoples’ fight for self-determination in Victoria.
The passage of a Victorian Treaty last year achieved a number of historic changes for mob, including the establishment of a permanent representative body for Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria. That body is known as Gellung Warl — which means ‘tip of the spear’ or ‘pointed spear’ in Gunaikurnai language.
At a special ceremony in Melbourne last month, a Gunaikurnai spear was presented as part of the Yulwa — a cultural handover overseen by Elders to ensure that the knowledge of the outgoing First Peoples’ Assembly is transferred to the new Gellung Warl with cultural respect and integrity.
That spear was made by Murdoch, a proud Yuin-Gunaikurnai male, who said making the weapon was a powerful spiritual experience.
“I made this spear because I wanted to see how much it made me feel connected to the country and my ancestors,” he said.
“I added some feathers to represent the ocean and the plants of my country, since the feathers had green and blue.”
The wood used for the spear was locally sourced cherry tree and tea tree, with the spearhead crafted from cherry tree wood and the handle made from tea tree wood.
In a ceremony at the Royal Exhibition Building, Alice Pepper and Troy McDonald presented Murdoch’s spear to members of the Elders’ Voice, who will hold it until the Gellung Warl begins.
The Elders’ Voice is a group of Aboriginal Elders from across Victoria who provide cultural authority to the work of the First Peoples’ Assembly.
