The City of Greater Geelong has released a thematic history of our region which aims to give greater recognition to historically marginalised people and communities. 

About Corayo: A Thematic History of Greater Geelong was researched and authored by Dr David Rowe of Authentic Heritage Services with research assistance by Pam Jennings.

The thematic history is based on extensive research and consultation with Traditional Owners community and other organisations and individuals.

The project included close collaboration with the Registered Aboriginal Party; Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation in relation to First Nations and shared history.

The thematic history outlines key historic themes that are relevant to our municipality along with photographs maps and plans.

The preparation of the thematic history was identified as a key action in the Municipal Heritage Strategy which was adopted September 2017.

While thematic histories of parts of Greater Geelong have previously been prepared they have concentrated on earlier municipalities prior to Council amalgamations and an overall thematic analysis has therefore been disjointed.

The thematic history covers nine themes including: environment people transport and communications transforming and managing land and natural resources industries and workforce building the Shire Governing Greater Geelong community life and cultural and creative life.

The thematic history has an emphasis on the Traditional Owners of the municipality – the Wadawurrung people - whose culture dates back more than 45 000 years.

The document will help to strengthen our respect and understanding of the past from the rich history of the Wadawurrung people to the growth in manufacturing and innovation that made Geelong a wool and industrial centre for much of the 19th and 20th centuries.

For more information visit About Corayo: A Thematic History of Greater Geelong.

Mayor Stephanie Asher

The thematic history is about our shared history and how we reflect all parts of our culture in the story of Geelong.

A major aim of the thematic history was to give greater recognition to historically marginalised people and communities including First Nations people and the contributions of women and emigrants.

To our knowledge this is the first thematic history in Victoria to include First Nations post-colonial and shared histories as part of each theme.

Councillor Kylie Grzybek

This an extraordinary piece of work and will help start conversations about how we recognise all aspects of our culture across the City.

It’s fascinating that the word ‘Corayo’ is one of several derivations of the term known today as Corio meaning salt water or sandy in Wadawurrung Traditional Owner language.”

The Geelong region has a history of innovation and creativity that helped us achieve our designation as a UNESCO City of Design and continues to be a point of pride for our community today.