Hume City Council recognises the rich Aboriginal heritage within the municipality and acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung, which includes the Gunung Willam Balluk clan, as the Traditional Custodians of this land. Council embraces Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander living cultures as a vital part of Australia’s identity and recognises, celebrates and pays respect to the existing family members of the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung and to Elders past, present and future.

Project Background

Hume City Council is working in partnership with the community to develop and install a permanent Stolen Generations Marker in Hume.

The Marker will acknowledge the harm caused to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities across the nation. The Marker it will serve as a reminder about the injustices caused by successive governments on First Nations people and the ongoing impacts it is still creating today.

More information is available on Council's main website.

Stolen Generations Marker Working Group

In April 2020, Hume City Council established a Working Group that guides the priorities of the project. The group includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, community members affected by the impacts of the Stolen Generations and representatives from peak bodies including Link-Up Victoria and Connecting Home.

The Working Group reviewed many sites and narrowed the shortlist down to three. This was based on considering agreed ‘site principles’ and the suitability of each location. This was narrowed down to two sites - Malcolm Creek Reserve (Wetlands Site) or Golden Sun Moth Park (Red Gum Site)

Artist Expressions of Interest

In late 2020, Hume City Council conducted an Expression of Interest (EOI) process to select a group of artists to design concepts for the future Stolen Generations Marker. The EOI process attracted 5 applications and 4 artists moved to the next stage:

  • Fiona Clarke: a Kirrae Whurrong artist living in Sunshine who has previously created public artwork for Metro Trains, Cricket Australia, and City of Greater Dandenong.
  • Thomas Marks: a Gunaikurnai artist from Gippsland living in Ballarat who has delivered exhibitions across Melbourne and as part of the Torch project and is a member of the Stolen Generations.
  • Karen Lovett: a Gunditjmara artist living in Broadmeadows who has produced public artworks for the City of Hume, gallery exhibitions and is a member of the Stolen Generations.
  • Robert Young: a Gunnai/Waradjurie artist who has previously produced public art works for Yarra Valley Water, Yarra Ranges City Council.

Concept Development

Hume City Council hosted a workshop across the two sites to provide all the necessary information for concept development. Artists also had access to an Aboriginal Artist Mentor to assist in developing their concepts and to provide guidance along the way.

Artists developed their concepts to suit one of the preferred locations - Malcolm Creek Reserve (Wetlands Site) or Golden Sun Moth Park (Red Gum Site). The artists presented their concepts to the Selection Panel in March 2021.

The Selection Panel made their recommendations to Hume City Council in April 2021, and a presentation was made by working group members to Councillors and Directors of the Council in June 2021.

Endorsement of the Stolen Generations Marker

On 15 June 2021, Hume City Council endorsedPhotograph of Robert Young Gunnai/Waradjurie Robert Young to create the Stolen Generations Marker in Hume. Robert’s design, 'Covered in the Creator'', is a metal representation of a possum skin cloak. The cloak will be co-located with a graphic depiction of a canoe – representing the journey – and positioned next to a seat in the shape of a coolamon – representing childhood.

The Marker will be located at the Wetland Site in Craigieburn, near the Malcolm Creek and Centennial Park Drive and is expected to be completed in March 2022.



Artist's drawing of the planned MarkerCovered in the Creator - artist's illustration by Robert Young