Topic+-+The+Yarra

Yarra Wednesday, 20 October 2010 3:03 PM

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INTRODUCTION The original Wurundjeri name for the Yarra River was Birrarung, but in 1835 it was inaccurately named Yarra Yarra by Melbourne pioneer, John Wedge, who noticed indigenous boys pointing at the river and saying 'yarra yarra'. He later __discovered__ that this meant 'flowing flowing'. Although many people knew of his mistake, the name stayed, and eventually was shortened to Yarra River. The Yarra begins in the Yarra Ranges and flows 262 km through the Yarra Valley until it reaches the City of Melbourne and empties into Port Phillip Bay. Over the years, the Yarra has played an important role in the growth of Richmond. For thousands of years, it provided food and shelter to the indigenous inhabitants of the land, the Wurundjeri people. Following the European settlement of Melbourne in 1835, it became __home__ to some of the city's earliest industries. Today, it plays a key role in the daily cultural and recreational life of Richmond and Greater Melbourne.

PROJECT __QUESTIONS__ Your main aim is to answer the question below. In order to do this you will need to visit some of the __locations__ listed, along with others you find out about, and conduct further research in order to answer the project's sub-questions. When you have this information, you must use the information you have gathered to __help__ you answer the main question. __Main question__ __Sub-questions__ __Suggested Places to Visit__ Here you can view the original path of the Yarra, and also learn something of the recreational uses of the river. Please note - Herring Island is only accessible by boat, so you will probably not be able to visit the island itself. A former bluestone quarry, now a revegetated wetland. The boats here are used for river maintenance The Burnley Bike Path is popular for many forms of recreation Pasted from <[]> This tree is significant as a site of deep spiritual value to the Wurundjeri people and the Kulin nation. It is reputed to be __the site__ of the very last corroboree __held__ by the Wurundjeri 
 * Was the Yarra River of greater importance to Richmond in the past than it is today?
 * What is the geography of the Yarra River?
 * How was the Yarra River __used__ by the Wurundjeri people prior to white settlement?
 * What was the importance of the Yarra River to Richmond in its early settlement?
 * Describe the Yarra River in Richmond in the late 1800s.
 * How did the use of the Yarra River contribute to social and environmental problems over time?
 * In what ways did (and currently do) people cross the Yarra in Richmond?
 * How has Yarra River use changed over the past __hundred__ or so years?
 * How do people use the Yarra River in Richmond today?
 * What remains unchanged about the Yarra River in Richmond over time?
 * Describe the Yarra River in Richmond today.
 * Herring Island (a man-made island, created in the 1930s)
 * Burnley Harbour (Opposite Herring Island)
 * Urban wetland near McConchie Reserve
 * The Corroboree Tree in Burnley Park (Park Grove, off Swan St)

People used to take the ferry and paddle boats up the river as far as here - it was originally known as Hawthorn Tea Gardens This was as far up the river as boats could go Pasted from <[]> Bike trail along the Yarra - useful for viewing all forms of public recreation in Richmond involving the river (__follow the__ maps to either Herring Island or McConchie Reserve above to join the bike trail) The site of Dr Palmer's original punt (close to the Burwood Rd bridge today) - a sly grog shop was there, as well as the native police barracks Pasted from <> One of Melbourne's oldest bridges - it gives Bridge Rd its name. Where the boundary between Richmond and Hawthorn is __Suggested Resources__ Richmond [|Travel Victoria - Richmond] [|Wikipedia - Richmond] [|Richmond's History] [|A Chronology of Richmond's History] [|History of Place - Richmond] [|Cremorne] [|City of Richmond] Yarra River [|Wikipedia - Yarra River] [|Yarra River - History] [|Billabongs of the Yarra] [|History of the Yarra and the sport of rowing on the river] [|Yarra River - Wurundjeri and discovery] [|Parks Victoria - Yarra River] Herring Island [|Welcome to Herring Island Park] [|Herring Island Environmental Sculpture Park] [|Wikipedia - Herring Island] Burnley Harbour & McConchie Reserve [|YouTube - Burnley Harbour development] [|Yarra City - Natural Heritage Walks] [|Art @ Burnley Harbour] [|Main Yarra Bike Trail diversions] Corroboree Tree, Burnley Park [|Wikipedia - Wurundjeri] [|Only Melbourne - National Heritage Tour] Yarra Bike Trail [|Wikipedia - Main Yarra Trail] [|Bicycle Victoria - East: Yarra Trail] [|Yarra City - Bike routes] Original Punt across the Yarra (Dr Palmer's Punt) [|Punt Rd and Hoddle St] [|Doctor Palmer] Native Police Barracks (Richmond Paddock) [|Native Police in Rowville] [|Gold - Native Police Corps] [|Wikipedia - Native Police Corps] [|A Bend in the Yarra] Hawthorn Bridge (on Bridge Rd) [|Wikipedia - Hawthorn Bridge] [|Melbourne's Bridges] Richmond's industries [|Housing Heritage Walk] [|Nth Richmond and Victoria St Heritage Walk] [|City of Yarra] Photos [|Yarra River today] [|Yarra River in Richmond (historic)] __Suggested Project Format__ __Tips__
 * The Leonda Reception Centre (2 Wallen Rd)
 * Yarra Trail
 * The Original Punt across the Yarra
 * Hawthorn Bridge
 * Websites
 * When answering the main question, you might include:
 * Facts that you have learned from investigating the sub-questions
 * Video clips recorded at different places along the Yarra
 * Photos taken by your group, along with historic photos from websites
 * Maps
 * Sketches you have drawn of places along the Yarra
 * Quotes from people you have interviewed
 * The sites and resources listed here are only suggested starting points. If you learn of any other good sources of information, please make good use of them. You will need to explore aspects of all sub-questions in order to answer the main question well.