Settled by the British in 1839 the Pt Phillip area’s earliest inhabitants were the Yaluki-millam people, one of five clans of the Bunurong people. Known as the coastal tribe they were members of the Kulin nation.
A melancholic reminder of the rich indigenous culture of this land can be seen in the form of the Corroboree Tree, which survived in St Kilda after locals, protested against it being sacrificed for a freeway.
Pt Phillip is a culturally diverse suburb where many refugees from various nations have settled. In particular people who sought refuge from the Second World War and Nazi Germany. The banner above (still to come) is a collage that represents St Kilda today.
Aboriginal Language Areas in Victoria - you can see the land occupied now by Pt Phillip is the Language Area of the Boonwurrung. The spellings of the tribes vary across sources. Map At this Pt Phillip Council site you will find more details about Pt Phillip
I’m still looking for a map of Port Phillip that shows it in context of Melbourne and Australia.
The City of Port Phillip was formed in 1994 by the amalgamation of the three former cities of South Melbourne, St Kilda and Port Melbourne. Because it is such a huge area I often focus on my home suburb of St Kilda. If others in Pt Phillip wish to start stories from their suburbs they are welcome to contact me.
More about Pt Phillip will be found in the Letters to Suai to be posted at a later date and I have begun a collection of photographs of icons of Pt Phillip beginning with sculptures and architecture I love. You are encouraged to do the same. Today is the 5th April 2008 and at this stage you can’t upload photographs but you can find my email address in the contacts and send the image to me with your ‘Note to Suai’ telling them why you have chosen this particular icon to show the people of Suai I will post it for you. Don’t forget to include your name. Or, you can find the YoMaTre Facebook Group and post it there.