Man buys land stolen from Indigenous ancestors to celebrate heritage

Craig and Ros Molyneux have purchased a former church in Breakaway Creek, Victoria, with a profound personal connection: the land was stolen from Craig's Indigenous ancestors by the Church of England. The small wooden structure, once part of the Lake Condah Mission where Craig's great-grandparents and grandfather were housed, is now set to become a vibrant celebration of Gunditjmara heritage.

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I have no forgiveness for them over what they did. They made life miserable for people. If you did try to practise your culture or speak your language, then you were punished

"I have no forgiveness for them over what they did. They made life miserable for people. If you did try to practise your culture or speak your language, then you were punished," Craig says of the mission's history. Despite the difficult past, stepping onto his Country brought Craig an unparalleled sense of connection. "It brings life to your soul. You feel that connection with nature, but also that spiritual connection," he shares.

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It brings life to your soul. You feel that connection with nature, but also that spiritual connection

Seeing the old church, a potential symbol of pain, Craig and Ros viewed it as an opportunity to "set the record straight." They are carefully removing church iconography and infusing the building with local Indigenous art. Their son, Nick, has contributed a mixed-media artwork of the nearby Lake Condah, using acacia wood and lava rocks. "I think there's an inherent history of the building that we can't lose, so we don't really want to erase it completely, but just have a nod to the history of the building," Craig explains.

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I think there's an inherent history of the building that we can't lose, so we don't really want to erase it completely, but just have a nod to the history of the building

This project is also a deeply personal journey for the family to reconnect with a heritage they didn't always have access to. Craig was separated from his family as an infant and didn't learn about his Indigenous heritage until his 20s. "For me, coming back here is reconnecting, because I didn't grow up with that traditional knowledge," he says. The entrance walls are now lined with images telling their family's story, including one of his great-grandfather, Alfred McDonald.

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For me, coming back here is reconnecting, because I didn't grow up with that traditional knowledge.