Ancient indigenous engineering system restored

摘要

A unique engineering heritage landmark was unveiled last month for the engineering expertise of the Gunditjmarra people, who developed and managed the hydraulics required to farm and harvest fish in southwest Victoria for 6600 years. A ceremony for the Engineers Australia engineering heritage national landmark was held at Tyrendarra, a small village located within a bend of Darlots Creek. Hosted by the Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation, the ceremony included the unveiling of an interpretative panel and engineering heritage marker for the Budj Bim Aboriginal hydraulic works. Engineers Australia national president Merv Lindsay said: "What is truly remarkable about the Budj Bim engineering works is not only its ingenuity, but also at its core has been the delivery of a sustainable outcome for hundreds of generations. Attaining sustainable engineering outcomes by today's well-resourced engineering profession remains a challenge, and here we can see how it was achieved for thousands of years."