Young Will’s Spear a Powerful Symbol in Historic Handover to Gellung Warl 

A spear made by 15-year-old William Murdoch of Lakes Entrance now occupies an important place in the history of Aboriginal peoples’ fight for self-determination in Victoria. 

The passage of a Victorian Treaty last year achieved a number of historic changes for mob. 

One of those was the establishment of a permanent representative body for Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria. 

That body is known as Gellung Warl – which means ‘tip of the spear’ or ‘pointed spear’ in Gunaikurnai language. 

And so at a special ceremony in Naarm last month, a Gunaikurnai spear was presented as part of the Yulwa – a cultural handover overseen by Elders to ensure that the knowledge of the outgoing First Peoples’ Assembly is transferred to the new Gellung Warl with cultural respect and integrity. 

That spear was made by young Will, a proud Yuin-Gunaikurnai male. 

Will said that making the spear was a very powerful personal experience for him. 

“I made this spear because I wanted to see how much it made me feel connected to the country and my ancestors,” he said. “Making the spear was a spiritual experience for me.” 

“I added some feathers to represent the ocean and the plants of my country, since the feathers had green and blue.” 

“The wood that was used in my spear was locally-sourced cherry tree and tea tree. The spear head is made from cherry tree wood, and the spear handle is made from tea tree wood.” 

In a ceremony at the Royal Exhibition Centre, Alice Pepper and Troy McDonald presented Will’s spear to members of the Elders’ Voice, who will hold it until the Gellung Warl begins. 

The Elders’ Voice is a group of Aboriginal Elders from across Victoria who provide cultural authority to the work of the First Peoples’ Assembly. 

Congratulations Will. We hope to see you continue your journey as a craftsman in the years ahead.