Dr Vincent Clark & Associates prioritises working with our clients to ensure good community-engagement throughout our projects. Paul Kucera, one of our Senior Archaeologists and Project Managers, was fortunate enough to present at the South Gippsland Discovery tour in May 2019. Dr Vincent Clark & Associates are heritage advisors to the Major Roads Project Authority for the highway realignment project throughout the Black Spur Creek wetlands.
Paul was invited to speak at the Nerrena Tarwin Valley Landcare Group tour, where he offered insights into archaeological investigations in Koonwarra, South Gippsland. The tour group visited sites in the Black Spur Creek Wetlands project area and later in the day they traveled to the top of the Black Spur Creek catchment to visit Jelbart Dairy and Valley Plains Pottery.
It was great opportunity to engage with the local community about historical places where defining moments occurred during the expansion of the South Gippsland region during the 19th century. Occupation at the Black Spur site included temporary camps for railway workers who built the former Great South Railway in the late 19th century, near ‘Camp Hill’ adjacent to the Black Spur. The everyday objects found at the site have supported the historical records that there were 200 men camped in this area during the railway construction works.
Aboriginal cultural heritage places and the pre-contact cultural landscape were also discussed and explored during the tour.
The presentation was well received by local community members who showed great interest in the landscape and history of Leongatha, Koonwarra and the surrounding South Gippsland region.
We would like to acknowledge:
Representatives from Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BLCAC)
Nerrena Tarwin Valley Landcare Group (NTVL)
Friends of Cranbourne Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria (FCRBGV)
Major Roads Project Authority (MRPA)