“Predominantly KHT (Koorie Heritage Trust) tours have been education-based. We had a lot of schools, groups, corporate groups that would do our tours to learn about Aboriginal Victoria, learn about Aboriginal Melbourne. It is also an opportunity to engage with our artefacts and learn about our unique cultures and unique styles here in Victoria.” – Rob Hyatt
In a conversation with NITV Radio, Rob Hyatt - Manager Cultural Experiences at the Koori Heritage Trust (KHT) - explained that KHT has been running cultural tours for well over 20 years, predominantly from its Federation Square premises where it has been based in the last 8 years.
“Today the tours have an educational component. With schools and corporates we learn about Melbourne, we learn the history of Melbourne; we acknowledge the Country and acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung peoples as the traditional owners of the land.”
He also indicated that from a First People’s perspective KHT’s presence at Federation Square as a cultural is fundamental in facilitating engagement and education about the landscape, the history, and the cultures of the Traditional Owners.
“Through our work, we actually talk through the history of Melbourne itself. Not just what the traditional landscape might have been… the impact of colonisation and how that impacted the landscape and Aboriginal people.”
