OVERALL WINNER
at the Victorian Community History Awards 2011

Presented by the Royal Historical Society and the Public Record Office of Victoria, the judges' citation for the award reads:
"This wonderful exposition about the Gunditjmara people and their country... is well-researched, clearly presented and shows a profound knowledge and understanding of the natural cultural and historical elements that made the landscape and its people in their many manifestations through to present times.
"This publication is a superb community history."
Gunditjamara elder Denise Lovett is pictured with Gib Wettenhall receiving the award in Queens Hall Parliament House on 20 October.
NOW A WORLD HERITAGE LISTED LANDSCAPE
Buy The People of Budj Bim online from em PRESS Publishing for only $30.99 inc p&h
"This clearly written, enlightening booklet is not only an excellent teaching tool
but also a must-read for anyone who wants the full picture on the history of the Western District."
Review in The Age by Fiona Capp on 28 August.
The book also received a glowing review from education magazine Shine, in the December 2010 edition – see Reviews in full on this menu

In 2009, carbon dating found that a fishtrap system at Lake Condah in south-west Victoria was an incredible 6,700 years old. Constructed by the Gunditjmara people, it is one of five sophisticated fishtrap systems that were built around the lake’s edge. A permanent supply of freshwater and abundant eels, fish and water plants meant the Gunditjmara led a settled life there – an experience without parallel among Aboriginal societies and landscapes in Australia. The Budj Bim landscape gained World Heritage listing in June 2019.
Written by Gib Wettenhall with the Gunditjmara people, The People of Budj Bim brings to life the amazing, unknown story about their traditional eel aquaculture systems and associated stone house settlements, once dotted throughout the lakes, streams and ponds on the Mt Eccles lava flow in south-west Victoria. Known as the Budj Bim landscape, it was the setting for what Robbery Under Arms author, Rolf Boldrewood, called the Eumeralla War, a six year battle fought by Gunditjmara clans against squatters taking over their land. Budj Bim was the first Indigenous landscape to gain National Heritage listing in 2004.
The full colour book with images throughout provides an accessible, plain English introduction to the Budj Bim landscape and its Indigenous history. It is aimed at tourists, tour leaders, school groups, the community and the public in general. Funding for research, writing and production was provided by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
See full reviews by clicking on Reviews. Go to Bookshops to find where you can buy The People of Budj Bim.
Or you can buy the book online for $30.99 inclusive of p & h via the em PRESS Publishing SHOP ONLINE.
Visit www.empresspublishing.com.au or email gib@vic.chariot.net.au
$25 RRP
72pp
Full colour, illustrated throughout
Paperback
ISBN 978 0 9757778 4 8
Written by Gib Wettenhall with the Gunditjmara people, The People of Budj Bim brings to life the amazing, unknown story about their traditional eel aquaculture systems and associated stone house settlements, once dotted throughout the lakes, streams and ponds on the Mt Eccles lava flow in south-west Victoria. Known as the Budj Bim landscape, it was the setting for what Robbery Under Arms author, Rolf Boldrewood, called the Eumeralla War, a six year battle fought by Gunditjmara clans against squatters taking over their land. Budj Bim was the first Indigenous landscape to gain National Heritage listing in 2004.
The full colour book with images throughout provides an accessible, plain English introduction to the Budj Bim landscape and its Indigenous history. It is aimed at tourists, tour leaders, school groups, the community and the public in general. Funding for research, writing and production was provided by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
See full reviews by clicking on Reviews. Go to Bookshops to find where you can buy The People of Budj Bim.
Or you can buy the book online for $30.99 inclusive of p & h via the em PRESS Publishing SHOP ONLINE.
Visit www.empresspublishing.com.au or email gib@vic.chariot.net.au
$25 RRP
72pp
Full colour, illustrated throughout
Paperback
ISBN 978 0 9757778 4 8