General News
3 May, 2025
Easter Vigil at Mt Arapiles
An Easter vigil in a private property near Mt Arapiles attracted a large number of Natimuk and Wimmera residents and climbers to demonstrate against the recent climbing restrictions at the Dyuritte National Park.
Organisers welcomed the crowd in the misty rain on Easter Sunday to express their connection to Dyuritte and their connection to each other.
In an expression of the importance of the ocassion and what it stood for, organiser, Jess, said," Your connections are unique and special, but they do not diminish those of others.
"Likewise, the connections of others do not diminish your own."
"The first people with connections to these lands were the Wotjobaluk Nations - the Wotjoboluk, Jadawadjali, Wergaia and the Jupaguik People.
"We acknowledge that those connections - that caring for and belonging to Country - are unique, deep and ongoing, lasting for thousands of years."
"We acknowledge that those connections - that caring for and belonging to Country - are unique, deep and ongoing, lasting for thousands of years.
"We also acknowledge that the traumas caused by colonisation, including dispossession from land and disruption of connect and cultural practices, run deep.
"And we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. We also, importantly, extend that respect to any other Aboriginal peoples who are present here today, and thank you for coming ."
Some climbing community were critical when the Victorian government's $1.7 million investment plan for Mt Arapiles was announced, saying added restrictions on climbing sites and campground closures could devastate the community of Natimuk.
There has been an outpouring against the closure of some of the sites, with some business owners, residents and climbers saying it will damage tourism and cause young professionals, who move to the region for the climbing, to leave.
First Nations People told the Mail-Times they don't wish to stop people climbing or visiting the national park but they want to preserve paintings and artifacts from their elders.
