William Barak

CURRENT LOCATION - Oct 2020 - Now
Healesville Sancturary, Glen Eadie Ave, Healesville VIC 3777
Visit the sculpture, click for map >

Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia’s most-loved tourist attractions and the best place in Victoria to interact with native wildlife. The not-for-profit organisation is committed to fighting wildlife extinction. It’s also situated next to heritage-listed, Coranderrk. The Sanctuary wanted to pay tribute to William Barak (1824-1903), the last traditional elder of the Wurundjeri clan and influential spokesman for Aboriginal social justice. Until his death he was the acknowledged leader at Coranderrk as a liaison between the Government and the indigenous population. He dedicated his life to working tirelessly for his people, and was a highly respected man and leader to both Indigenous groups and European settlers. Gillie and Marc created a life-sized bronze sculpture that honours Barak as the brave and dignified link between different groups of people, unifying the Victorian community.