These bold and intuitive works explore and portray some of the relationships or not, (distances) between mainly elderly, traditional, farming couples - their reaction, or not, of each individual to the other as well as individually toward the environment in which they find themselves. Robert's paintings are rich in the application of the paint and vibrant colours and gestural marks of his linocuts echo the brushstrokes of his paintings.
Sale to Cann River along Princes Highway.As you travel through East Gippsland, you are following routes that the Gunai (Kurnai) and Monaro people have been travelling along for over 18,000 years.
With the mountains a two or three days walk to the south, the path which is now the Princes Highway formed the backbone of the network of trails and trading routes which spanned the region. The Bataluk Cultural Trail will give you a new perspective on the landscapes of East Gippsland. Running from Sale to Cape Conran the trail identifies sites where you will be introduced to many aspects of Koori history and culture including Dreamtime stories, traditional lifestyles, European invasion and settlement.
Discover the stories of the Den of Nargun and the Legend Rock. View archaelogical sites such as scarred trees and shell middens, some of which are over 10,000 years old. Visit Aboriginal Keeping Places and cultural centres throughout the region.
Australia’s Coastal Wilderness National Landscape was launched by the Federal Minister for Tourism, the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP last Friday 1 August in Torquay in association with the launch of the Great Ocean Road National Landscape.
The Launch was attended by a number of East Gippslanders including Chair of the Australia’s Coastal Wilderness Steering Committee Phil Rickards who is also the Tourism Coordinator for the East Gippsland Shire.
In his address, Minister Ferguson acknowledged that whilst he would have liked very much to have launched each of the eight individual landscapes in each region, due to time constraints that had not been possible. However, he said he hoped to be able to visit the Australia’s Coastal Wilderness region at some stage in the future.
The Minister acknowledged the work of the Steering Committees in getting their respective landscapes accepted into the program.
“I would particularly like to welcome members of the landscapes steering committees who I know are passionately enthused about this project. Enthusiasm in a service-oriented industry such as tourism is critical. So is innovation and I believe the National Landscapes Program will provide the impetus for Australia as a nation to view the relationship between tourism and our natural landscapes in an innovative light.
“Much like the members of the Steering Committees, I am passionately enthused by the natural beauty of Australia. I do believe the landscapes which surround us are unparalleled in their beauty. In the fiercely competitive world of tourism they present us with enormous opportunity and point of difference.
Who would not want to visit those National Landscapes already launched, they being The Australian Alps, Australia’s Red Centre, The Flinders Ranges, Australia’s Green Cauldron and the Greater Blue Mountains? I am pleased today to add the Great Ocean Road and Australia’s Coastal Wilderness to the list of regions included in the National Landscapes Program
“To qualify as a National Landscape the location must be a world-class landscape of natural, cultural and spiritual assets, distinctive to Australia.
“Australia’s Coastal Wilderness has a significance which has long been internationally recognized. It is a site of more than national significance and includes Croajingolong National Park which was in 1977 proclaimed a World Biosphere Region by UNESCO.”
“The landscapes I am announcing today have been included in this unique program because they are more than just a group of appealing destinations. They are regions, which as a whole, are much greater than just the sum of their parts. They are distinctively Australian natural and cultural environments. And they will appeal to Tourism Australia’s target market, experience seekers; travelers of all ages who wish to experience new adventures and destinations which enable them to engage with a local culture.
“I congratulate the steering committees for the Great Ocean Road and Australia’s Coastal Wilderness on achieving National Landscape status for these wonderful regions”, concluded Minister Ferguson.