By Derek Schlennstedt
Artwork portraying iconic landscapes in the Dandenong Ranges will inform the educational and cultural experience for walkers along the proposed 26-kilometre route.
The proposed route would link the villages of Kalorama, Olinda, Sassafras and Ferny Creek. It would also use an existing trail through Sherbrooke Forest in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Though walkers will be rewarded with stunning views over Melbourne, Silvan Dam, the Yarra Valley and the Yarra Ranges; Yarra Ranges Council has also begun plans for artwork to feature along the RidgeWalk.
Yarra Ranges Council has approached Bronwyn Hanna History and Heritage to produce a cultural study which investigates the historically significant relationship between art and landscape.
That study highlights work by some of Australia’s most significant artists who drew inspiration from the Dandenong Ranges.
The Dandenongs appear in iconic artwork by Eugene Von Guerard, William Barak, Fredrick McCubbin, Tom Roberts and Arthur Streeton.
Indigenous artist Lin Onus also worked and painted in the area as well as Fred Williams – one of the 20th century’s major landscape painters – who lived in Upwey, and painted the Upwey landscape series.
Council director of social and economic development Ali Wastie said the study would set the overall narrative and drive the development of council’s RidgeWalk masterplan.
“Works from about 80 artists who lived and worked in the area will influence elements of the RidgeWalk design and potential commissioned artworks,” Ms Wastie said.
The $5.8 million RidgeWalk project will connect townships in the Dandenong Ranges and support the exploration of art, landscape and culture.
Study author Bronwyn Hanna said it was hard to think of any place outside of Australia’s metropolitan centres with such an impressive array of creative achievement as that of the Dandenong Ranges.
