Description

Did you know that the buildings on Gertrude Street were the home of the Black Power movement in Australia? If the walls could talk in these cafes and bars you’d hear the voices of self-determination and people standing up for their rights! Through the '60s, '70s and '80s, Aboriginal-controlled organisations were created for health, legal services, housing, sport, youth services, advocacy and education—all with their headquarters on Gertrude Street.

Yalinguth (meaning 'yesterday' in Woi Wurrung) is an award-winning audio app connecting people to this important history through soundscapes and stories told by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. On this two-hour guided walking tour, Yalinguth will take you on an inspiring historical journey with live stories from our guide Jason Tamiru, augmented by Elders' stories, music and soundscapes from the Yalinguth app via loudspeaker. Start at the Moreton Bay Fig Tree inside Carlton Gardens and finish at the Builders Arms Hotel. These stories, buildings, and this street have a special history that we can all connect with.

“When you sit quietly there’s a spirit here. All our Elders and ancestors are here, they will always be here."—Uncle Kutcha Edwards

What's On

We’ll start the journey at the old Moreton Bay Fig Tree in Carlton Gardens, where many legendary speakers including Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls, Jack Patten, Bill Onus, William Cooper, Ebenezer Lovett, Martha Nevin and Margaret Tucker addressed gatherings. Our guide (and Sir Doug's grandson), Jason Tamiru, will then take us on a journey through the Aboriginal Rights Movement down Gertrude Street, also known as the Black Mile and Sunset Boulevard.

We’ll listen to music and stories at buildings and spaces that were formerly the Koori Club, the Housing Board, the Legal Service, the Koori Information Centre, a community church and other beloved community gathering places. We’ll listen to live recordings from a protest when the Queen visited and stories about Muhammad Ali when he addressed the people on a corner near the Builders Arms Hotel. We’ll also hear music evoking and echoing the Rights Movement and the streets of Fitzroy from No Fixed Address, Uncle Archie Roach and Aunty Ruby Hunter, Uncle Kutcha Edwards and Harry Williams and the Country Outcasts!

There is a spirit in Fitzroy, and this experience provides a unique connection to this important place.

Huge thanks to our supporting partners Builders Arms Hotel, Good Times Pilates, substory*, and PPHH Store.

Children's Activities

A Yalinguth walk is suitable for all ages.

In Collaboration With:

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  Jason Tamiru

  Jason Tamiru is a proud Yorta Yorta man passionate about his people and culture. He has worked with many of Melbourne’s most iconic performing arts companies, museums and festivals. As a producer he supports his people’s creativity by building frameworks that complement cultural expressions. Jason has also been the creative director of the Naarm experiences on the Yalinguth app .

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  Yalinguth

  Yalinguth is an award-winning First Nations audio app and walking tour. In Woi Wurrung language Yalinguth means ‘yesterday’. Yalinguth shares history through story, song and soundscapes.

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  Storyscape

  Founded in 2009, Storyscape is a creative social change organisation. We work with people in creative ways to harness the power of storytelling and support people to tell their own stories through oral and written storytelling, film, animation, photography, music and visual art. We work across Australia and internationally with community organisations, schools, NGOs and Governments.