They join a large proportion of the community who have been campaigning against proposed closures to rock climbing routes and trails, which would see a large proportion of Mt Arapiles inaccessible to the public, in a bid to protect Indigenous heritage sites.
The State Government, through Parks Victoria, announced the plans in November last year, causing an uproar among the climbing community, as well as the nearby town of Natimuk – which will be significantly affected through a loss of residents and downturn in tourism.
Parks Victoria is currently having submissions from a community consultation for the draft plan independently reviewed, but there is no timeframe for when a reviewed draft plan will be released.
Guest speakers at the vigil will include The Nati Pub owner Bill Lovel; Louise Shepherd, founder of Friends of Arapiles; renowned rock climber Simon Mentz, and others who are passionate about the mountain and the community.
Dr Ritson said he experienced feelings of grief and loss when he read the Arapiles Dyurrite Draft Management Plan.
“It’s quite a devastating loss to the broader Wimmera community, and instantly three GPs I knew of that were planning to move to the area said they weren’t coming anymore,” he said.
“One of my biggest concerns is the potential or the loss of what would’ve happened in the future in terms of the Wimmera being supplied with more young, professional people moving to the area.
“I find it really devastating that the trajectory that the Wimmera was on to become flush with all these healthcare workers, teachers, engineers – you name it – that future is not really there anymore.”
Complicated
Ms Hendy said she was devastated and worried about her future when the draft plan was made public.
“I knew that it was going to become a complicated, hurtful issue. It was going to cost friendships and relationships, and that it was going to bring a lot of pain to our immediate lives and a lot of uncertainty to our future for our family, of would this be the right place for us still,” she said.
Ms Hendy, also a board member of Crag Stewards Victoria, said the vigil would show solidarity and care for Mt Arapiles in a respectful and solemn manner.
“It’s an invitation for people from the local community, for everyone to come together and share and show their love for the mount, and the importance of Dyurrite for them,” she said.
“I feel it’s important for the government and the minister to see that this issue is still at the front of our hearts and our minds here.
“We’re a long way from Melbourne, we’re a long way from the government office and offices where people make these decisions and sign the papers, and I think it’s an important step for the local community and the climbing community more broadly.”
Dr Ritson said the vigil was an opportunity for people to share their common experience, and learn and understand what other people were going through.
“It’s also a chance for people to reflect, breathe, go through the processes that are required for the changes, and lastly, in a respectful way, the vigil is looking to represent and demonstrate the concerns and loss from people in the region and broader rock climbing community, so as to advocate for access to the mountain.”
Dr Ritson said it was important to note the campaign and vigil was about cultural heritage being protected and celebrated, as allowed or encouraged by the local traditional owners.
“People involved in this, that represent by far the majority of rock climbers and locals that I know, hold dear and deep respect for cultural values and traditional owners and their right to self-determination, and that this campaign is done with that attitude,” he said.
The vigil will also be used as a platform to highlight a new campaign ‘Shared not Shut: Preserve Access, Preserve Culture’, which calls for legislation to enshrine responsible recreational access into law, balancing conservation, Indigenous land rights, and sustainable recreation.
The vigil will be from 4pm to 6pm, nearby Arapiles.
People are asked to meet at the gate to the farmland to the right of the Lower Gums Campsite.
More information can be found online at www.facebook.com/events/634272835999848 or at www.sharednotshut.au.
The entire April 16, 2025 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!
