- William Barak
William Barak (or Beruk) (c. 1824 -
15 August 1903 ), was the last traditionalngurungaeta (elder) of theWurundjeri -willam clan, based around the area of present-dayMelbourne ,Australia . He became an influential spokesman for Aboriginal social justice and an important informant on Wurundjeri cultural lore.Barak was born in the early 1820s at Brushy Creek near present-day
Croydon , in the country of the Wurundjeri people. His mother, Tooterrie, came from the Nourailum bulluk atMurchison, Victoria . His father,Bebejern , was an important member of theWurundjeri clan. Beruk was said to have been present whenJohn Batman met with the tribal elders to 'purchase' theMelbourne area in 1835. Before he died he described witnessing the signing of the treaty in a ceremony he called a tanderem.Beruk attended the government’s
Yarra Mission School from 1837 to 1839.When he joined the
Native Mounted Police in 1844, he was given the name of William Barak. He was Police Trooper No.19.In early 1863, Barak moved to
Coranderrk Station, nearHealesville, Victoria with about thirty others.Upon the death of
Simon Wonga in 1875, Barak became the Ngurungaeta of the clan. He worked tirelessly for his people and was a successful negotiator on their behalf. He was a highly respected man and leader, with standing amongst the Indigenous people and the European settlers.Barak is now best remembered for his artworks, which show both traditional Indigenous life and encounters with Europeans. Most of Barak's drawings were completed at Coranderrk during the 1880s and 1890s. They are now highly prized and exhibited in leading public galleries in Australia. His work is on permanent display in theNational Gallery of Victoria Ian Potter Centre atFederation Square , Melbourne. Ceremony (1895) is housed at theBallarat Fine Art Gallery .Barak died at Coranderrk in 1903 and is buried at the Coranderrk cemetery.
In 2005 a 525-metre footbridge called the 'William Barak bridge' was constructed stretching from
Birrarung Marr to theMCG , improving the link between some of Melbourne's biggest sports and entertainment venues and the heart of the CBD. In 2006 a permanent sound installation called "Proximities" was installed on the bridge. It was designed byDavid Chesworth and Sonia Leber. Its central section features a welcome song sung inWoiwurrung byWurundjeri Elder, and Barak's descendant,Joy Murphy-Wandin .External links
* [http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/barak/ "Remembering Barak"] at the
National Gallery of Victoria .
* [http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/barak/uncle.html Joy Murphy-Wandin speaking about her great, great uncle] .
* [http://www.balgal.com/?id=arkleyhoward Ceremony - Ballarat Fine Art Gallery]
* [http://www.yarrahealing.melb.catholic.edu.au/kulin/w_story.html Joy Murphy-Wandin speaking about Barak and Coranderrk] .
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