Wodonga Council is pleased to announce the launch of Cumbungi, the latest art installation to The Crossing Place Trail.
Designed by local artist Glennys Briggs and constructed by Xavier Pinard, the sculpture can be found looking across to the River Deck restaurant and Albury’s Noreuil Park.
The piece draws inspiration from the Cumbungi reed found along the Murray River and its waterways. The reed is used by First Nations people for food, while its leaves are traditionally shredded to use for weaving into baskets and mats.
The launch of Cumbungi arrives as the nation celebrates NAIDOC Week, with this year’s theme ‘For Our Elders’ acknowledging the important role elders have held as cultural knowledge holders, trailblazers, nurturers, advocates, teachers, survivors, leaders, hard workers and loved ones. As a Taungurung, Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri elder, Briggs’ involvement in this piece is particularly pertinent to the theme.
Kim Strang, Manager Tourism and Cultural Services at Wodonga Council, said the installation of Cumbungi marked an important moment in the council’s acknowledgement of NAIDOC week.
“Wodonga Council is proud to have partnered with artist Glennys Briggs to bring Cumbungi to The Crossing Place trail,” she said.
“As we celebrate this important week throughout the country, this sculpture is a reminder of the vital knowledge and traditions held by Elders. I encourage our community to visit the Trail and observe Cumbungi for themselves.”
The sculpture’s unveiling is just one in a series of NAIDOC week activities throughout Albury Wodonga. The artist hosted a workshop on Friday, 7 July, where she guided attendees through a basket weaving process using local reeds found along the river.
