Kamilaroi artist Reko Rennie’s vision is an inclusive environment where people can sit and peacefully reflect on, mourn and acknowledge the deep trauma of the past, as well as connect with the ongoing strength and resilience of the Aboriginal community and support the process of healing. 'Remember Me' symbolises community resilience, identity and family. Positioned in a ceremonial ring, the seating and spears create a circle of gathering and remembrance within the park. In a contemporary and historical sense, the spear is an emblematic statement about struggle and adversity, and it is also an expression of identity and connection to land and culture.The 'Stolen Generations Marker, Remember Me', reflects the community’s wish to create a permanent tribute to the Stolen Generations and their families; a place of reflection and respectful commemoration. Integral to this is the surrounding garden with plants local to the area that have been re-introduced into the setting. Sited at the historically important Meeting Place in the heart of Aboriginal Fitzroy, the artwork honours not only the story of this place, but of all Aboriginal people who were taken away. This project was guided by the Stolen Generations Marker Steering Group and realised by Yarra City Council in partnership with the Victorian Government. Most importantly, it has received widespread grassroots community support. It was officially launched on the 20th anniversary of National Sorry Day (26 May 2018), which acknowledges the impact of the policies spanning more than 150 years of forcible removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. On 26 May 1997 the landmark 'Bringing Them Home' report was tabled in Federal Parliament. The report was the result of a national inquiry that investigated the forced removal of Indigenous children from their families. This was a pivotal moment for many Stolen Generations. It was the first time the stories of forced removal were formally acknowledged by the Government and a recognition that these actions were inhumane. The impacts have been lifelong and intergenerational. A collection of bronze spears and a coolamon with accompanying seating, lighting and landscaping positioned in a ceremonial ring.stolen generations, fitzroy

Barbara Weir (b. 1945-03/01/2023) Born: In the region of Utopia, North East of Alice Springs, formerly known as Derry Downs Station Language: Anmatyerre and Alywarr Country: Atnwengerrp, Utopia Region, North East of Alice Springs, Northern Territory One of the Stolen Generation, Barbara Weir was removed from her Aboriginal family at the age of nine, and she was raised in a series of foster homes. Reuniting with her mother, Minnie Pwerle, in the 1960s, Weir eventually returned to her family territory of Utopia, 300 kilometres northeast of Alice Springs. Active in the local land rights movement of the 1970s Barbara Weir was elected the first woman president of the Indigenous Urapunta Council in 1985. Barbara’s career as an artist was inspired by the dynamic community of artists at Utopia and the work of her adopted auntie Emily Kame Kngwarreye. Highly experimental in her approach, Barabara Weir tried many mediums before travelling to Indonesia in 1994 with other artists to explore batik technique. She returned full of ideas on how to develop her own style which has since evolved to a more expressive abstract form. Grass Seed is part of her Dreamings and is associated with women’s ceremony and the activity of food gathering of local seeds, grasses, berries, potato, plum, banana, flowers and yams. This item is part of the Federation University Art Collection. The Art Collection features over 1000 works and was listed as a 'Ballarat Treasure' in 2007.Barbara Weir's paintings include representations of particular plants and "dreamings". Inspired by a small grass found in Utopia called Lyaw, Munyeroo or Pigsweed, Barbara's Grass Seed paintings consist of a series of small brush strokes that overlap and weave to create a swaying effect. This Dreaming tells the story of grass seed that is part of the bush tucker found in the region of Utopia. This seed is collected, crushed to a fine powder and is then used to make a bread, very similar to damper. The people of Utopia were still using this seed as late as the 1950s. During that time the seed grew in abundance but as the years passed there were very few good seeds to be found due to bullocks roaming the land and eating the grasses. The people then began to eat a substitute that the white man provided, and today very few Aboriginal people collect these seeds. art, artwork, barbara weir, aboriginal, dreaming, stolen generation, acrylic on linen

Note by T.H. Kneen 20 February 1991, "Probably 1949 not long after occupation. Note frame housing bell from old Pavilion. It was later placed on building next to flag "tower." Until occupation of the building in 1949 the bell was used to signal lecture & work periods (on the hour.)" NB bell stolen in 2014.Black and white photograph. Newly constructed Administration Building. No planting around it.Main Building Burnleypavilion, bell, administration building, main building