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Centre for Rare Arts and Forgotten Trades acknowledges the Wadawurrung people as the Traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and to all of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who live and work on Wadawurrung Country. We acknowledge their unceded sovereignty over Wadawurrung Country, and the ongoing hardship and trauma as a result of colonisation. The history and continuous culture of the Wadawurrung people is an important part of our shared story.

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Rare Trades Centre05 11 22 23

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In collaboration with the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections and Federation University, join Wadawurrung woman Shannen Mennen on a special session for the Ballarat Heritage Festival, offering a deep dive into the rich cultural history of Ballarat. 
Focusing on the Wadawurrung people’s connection to Country, this session will explore the creation and significance of Waleert-Waleert (possum skin cloaks), one of the most vital cultural and trade resources of the region. 
Participants will engage in an immersive exploration of historical narratives, the craft of cloak-making, and the cultural exchanges that shaped Ballarat.
About the Presenter
Shannen Mennen is a proud Wadawurrung woman and a Ballarat local. She is currently the Aboriginal Community and Industry Partnership Broker at Federation University. With a background in Tourism, Community Engagement, and Project Work, she brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her work.
Shannen holds a Bachelor of Education and Arts and spends much of her free time deepening her cultural knowledge and exploring ways to educate others on the rich heritage and culture of Wadawurrung people. Her work and personal passions revolve around education, promoting cultural understanding, and building a more inclusive future for all who live on Wadawurrung Country.
About the Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections
Sovereign Hill's <a href="https://www.sovereignhill.com.au/experiences/australian-centre-for-gold-rush-collections/?token=qhV7RvLXPC7ATdisUTo85Ddz5srDQKw-">Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections</a> (Gold Rush Centre for short) is home to an amazing collection that brings together 150,000 objects that tell the stories of this region, and its many diverse people, practices and ideas. 
It’s a place for new ideas and for discovery. Through unique programs and experiences, the Gold Rush Centre presents stories and objects that connect you to our heritage and culture.

Waleert Waleert Craft Lab 25

Wadawurrung woman Shannen Mennen hosts a special session on the rich cultural history of Ballarat.

Australian Centre for Gold Rush Collections

383 – 389 Bradshaw Street, Ballarat VIC 3350

Event

Craft Lab 2025

Waleert-Waleert: Exploring the Threads of Ballarat

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Waleert-Waleert: Exploring the Threads of Ballarat

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