William Barak

Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Melbourne

Healesville Sanctuary is one of Australia’s most-loved tourist attractions and the best place in Victoria to interact with native wildlife. The not-for-profit organisation is committed to fighting wildlife extinction. It’s also situated next to heritage-listed, Corranderk.

The Sanctuary wanted to pay tribute to William Barak (1824-1903), the last traditional elder of the Wurundjeri clan and influential spokesman for Aboriginal social justice. Until his death he was the acknowledged leader at Coranderrk and a liaison between the Government and the indigenous population. Gillie and Marc created a life-sized bronze sculpture that honours Barak as the brave and dignified link between different groups of people, unifying the Victorian community.