General News
22 May, 2025
Green light for indigenous garden
WILLAURA’s railway station precinct is set to be transformed with funding from the Victorian Government’s Tiny Towns fund.
Member for Western Victoria, Jacinta Ermacora, has announced a number of projects being funded through round two of the fund for towns with populations of fewer than 5,000 people.
Willaura Modern were one of the successful recipients, receiving $50,000 towards their environmental garden and artspace.
The project will be developed along Willaura’s Main Street in the historic precinct between the railway station and the silos.
In their funding submission, Willaura Modern said the environmental garden, artspace and outdoor meeting area would showcase indigenous plants and tell the story of the six seasons of the Djab Wurrong people.
“It would provide an educational, cultural and artistic environment for the public to engage with. It would inform visitors and locals of the importance of wetlands and their protection, while also providing historic and cultural material about the First Nations history of a landscape,” the submission said.
Willaura Modern’s Lois Reynolds said she was thrilled the project will become a reality.
“This will be a wonderful opportunity to combine environment, art and design in a unique way. We are looking forward to working together with other community groups and residents on this wonderful local project,” she said.
Celia Tucker from Upper Hopkins Land Management Group said the innovative project will transform the area.
“The UHLMG have been very supportive of this initiative from the very beginning and we’re thrilled to hear that it will now become a reality. We really look forward to seeing the existing area transformed into a space that showcases the diverse indigenous flora found in the area,” she said.
Ms Ermacora said it was a pleasure to help make the project a reality.
“The Tiny Towns Fund is a fantastic way to support community-driven projects, with specific funding to enhance liveability, economic activity, and community spirit, ensuring the vitality of these unique places,” she said.